A-Z of Chester

The history of Chester goes back to its foundation as the Roman camp Deva and the city has remained an important centre for the last 2,000 years. The Saxons founded the cathedral, the Normans built an imposing castle and the fortifications surrounding the city were developed over the centuries. Chester is now one of the best-preserved walled cities in the country. The city is also famous for its historical black-and-white timbered buildings, which form the Rows in the city centre, where shoppers can walk along a covered shopping arcade on the first floor. The Victorians continued to build shops following this local style, as well as the prominent Town Hall in the city centre and the Grosvenor Museum; the preservation of the buildings and history of Cheshire remains important to the present day. Much of the history is still evident in Chester today, and historian Mike Royden takes the reader on an AZ tour to reveal the places, people and history that make Chester such a fascinating city.