CHESTER

There are FIVE Chester PubTrails available on this site.

The canal trail (2) is the closest to the train station. However, the walk from the station to any of the trails is not long, it just means you may pass lots of pubs to get to a particular trail. Trail 3 and 4 start at Chester Cross and trails 1 and 5 start near the Amphitheatre. Trail 4 and 1 could easily meet. This means that trails can be expanded easily or mix and matched.

Trails have 10 to 13 pubs. This does not mean all pubs have to be visited (it is not a u-tube challenge) however, it does give flexibility. You can miss out pubs with no real ale or which are cocktail joints or old men's pubs or that are too busy or close together.

1.  Bridgegate and the river (black icons) Excellent dog friendly trail

This trail takes in 11 or 12 pubs, 5 of which are across the river. Several of the pubs are outstanding and 7 are starred. This is a pleasant evening trail with a lot of variety. It starts at the Amphitheatre or Old Dee Bridge.

2.  Along the canal (green icons)

Most of these pubs are close to the canal and easily accessed from it, rather than on the actual canal. Chester is a city and does not do quaint countryside canal pubs. Several of the pubs have appeared as the canal area is regenerated. This trail has a mixture of the old and the new. This is a long slow trail of 10 pubs, 5 of which are starred, Lunch or dinner should be factored in with The Old Harkers Arms excellent for food.

3.  Chester Cross to Chester Cross via Northgate Street (Dark Red Icons)

This trail travels down one of the main roads crossing the city. It goes to the centre of the city where it meets Watergate Street famous for its 'Rows' - shops with another street of shops on top of them. The trail has 13 pubs, 5 of which are starred. There are some old pubs on this trail which passes the Town Hall and the Cathedral. Some of these pubs exist in groups next door to each other which, unfortunately, reduces the walk between them to mere steps. The closeness of the pubs means that this trail needs to be taken slowly.

4.  Around Chester Cross (purple icons)

This trail has 10+ pubs with six of them starred. It is a gentle walk along a busy street.

5. The Amphitheatre plus  (Yellow Icons)

This trail covers a selection of 12 (three starred) pubs starting close to the amphitheatre.

 Trail 1 - Bridgegate and the river

 Starting at The Newgate, just beyond the Roman Amphitheatre.

Go through the gate and turn left down Park St following the city wall. To find The Albion. Then continue following the Wall turning to the right along Duke St which has The Cross Keys at the end of it. Opposite here are three pubs - up to the right is Ye Old King's Head; opposite and slightly to the left is The Brewery Tap; and at the foot of the hill by Bridgegate is The Bear and Billet though save this for the return journey.

Now go out of the gate and cross the river in Handbridge. Since you can only walk on the left just keep on the left and follow the hill up to a corner and turn left. Just after, and using, the zebra crossing turn right and walk along past the school to reach The Carlton Tavern. Leaving here walk back towards the school but turn left up Percy Road and at the top turn right on Eaton Road to get back to the main road. Turn up left and walk a minute to The Red Lion.

Cross over the road and walk back down the hill to meet The Handbridge, then The Grosvenor Arms and back at the bridge, The Ship Inn. Walk back across the river, now visit The Bear and Billet and cross over to walk down the river side to the boats, which brings you to Hickory's Smokehouse and then onto The Boathouse

This trail can be reduced in walk by starting at the bridge (missing The Albion) and cutting out the Carlton Tavern.

The Albion, above, is a small three roomed pub. It would be a remarkable old-fashioned boozer even without the World War memorabilia decorating all three rooms. The main door is at the side. On entry you can go to the largest room on the left or a smaller snug, to the right, with a larger room (still small) through from this.

Have one or two here.

real ale    : Southwold (Adnams); Golden XPA

lager         : Carling

cider         :                                                Guinness

The Cross Keys is a one roomed corner pub owned by Joules Brewery -and it tells you this everywhere! The entrance takes you into a large bright room - lots of light and bright wood. The bar is round to the left.

Good Beer Guide 2016-21

Have one here

real ale    : Charger (St George); Pale Ale, Slumbering Monk, Blonde (all Joules)

lager         :Blue Moon, Carling, Grolsch

cider         : Stowford Press; Weston's Trad Scrumpy                                                  Guinness

Ye Old King's Head built in 1622. Tastefully laid out with alcove and open table seating this is an attractive hotel.

Have a half pint here

real ale    : Black Sheep; Doombar; EPA

bitter         : John Smith

lager         :Coors Light; Carling; Fosters; Peroni

cider         : Thatcher's Gold                                              Guinness

The Brewery Tap is the pub for The Spitting Feathers Brewery. Go up the stairs to enter a Jacobean great hall dating from 16th Century. Some of the walls are still original intertwined branches with mud and manure complete with tapestries. Food served all day. 

CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2103-21, 2024, 2025

Good Pub Guide 2013

Have a pint here

real ale    : Old Wavertonian; Muldoon's Suffolk Ale;      Et Tu Brutus (Derventio); Wentworth  (Wentworth);   Borscough Flat Rib Mild (Burscough)

lager         :Bud, Becks

cider        

The Red Lion (Handbridge) is very much a popular local’s pub as it just out of range of tourists glancing across bridge to Handbridge though only a couple of minutes walk up the main road if you know it is there. With seating outside and traditional entrances at right and left side. Both entrances go to the same room now. There is seating along the windows between the doors and the servery is opposite this seating. Further seating down the left-hand side. The right-hand side has some seating, darts and the route to the outside patio area at back. Dogs welcome

Opens at 4.30 during week.

Have a pint here   

Real ale :   Doom Bar;  Cheshire Cat; Wainwright

Bitter     :  Worthington Cream Flow

Lager     :  San Miguel;  Carling;  Coors;  Estrella

Cider      :  Thatchers Gold                                             Guinness

Handbridge probably just out of range tourists glancing across bridge to Handbridge though an easily walk if you know it is there. This is a large bar with very large outside garden area. There is seating either side of the door. The carpeted left is the smaller side. The rest of the pub is wooden floored. The right-hand side of entrance has tables going along the window side. The servery is in the middle of the right-hand wall with tables opposite it. Beyond this are stairs to the large garden area which has three supersized dog kennels for sheltered seating of 8.

Have a pint here

Real ale :   Unicorn; Theakston’s Bitter  (has 4 pumps but only ever was to  one on in 4 visits)

Lager     :  Red Stripe;  Birra Moretti;  Amstel;  Maltsmiths

Cider      :  Strongbow Cloudy Apple;  Orchard                                      Guinness

The Grosvenor Arms just out of range tourists glancing across bridge to Handbridge though an easily walk if you know it is there. Ener via a short corridor. Servery is on end of left-hand side. There is seating between windows and servery. Round from to right of entrance is a large carpeted seating area with dining height tables. There is a large room through from this main area. There is outside seating to left of building

Have a half pint

Real ale :   Abbot; 

Bitter     :  Worthington Cream Flow

Lager     :  Coors;  Carling;  Stella

Cider      :  Strongbow;  Strongbow Dark Fruit                        Guinness

The Ship Inn is well in range of tourists glancing across bridge to Handbridge as it is spotted by side of the bridge. A comfy and attractive bar. The servery is in the middle of the right-hand wall. Stairs to right of entrance go to upstairs restaurant. Three tall tables to left of entrance. Opposite servery is fireplace with armchairs and small tables to either side. Several square table in middle opposite servery. Beyond the servery the room is split by a large abacus, there is a space laid out with large dining style tables. TV is in far corner here. Lots of atmospheric bright filament lights hanging in a variety of ways from ceiling. Floor is tiled at counter and wooden elsewhere. Food all day and dog friendly

Have a pint here

Real ale :   Gold (Ludlow);  Amber (Thwaites);  Scarecrow (Brimstage)

Bitter     : 13 Guns American Pale Ale;  61 Deep

Lager     :  Estrella;  San Miguel;  Carling

Cider      :  Kingstone Press                                           Guinness

Bear and Billet was built in 1664. It is owned and serves Okell's Ales from the Isle of Man.  Basically, two open plan rooms - bar area with seating at front and tables and chairs which can be used for dining through. More seating and dining upstairs. Sky sports shown.

Outside courtyard. Food served every day.

CAMRA Good Beer Guide

Good Pub Guide 2013-19.  Dogs welcome

Have a pint or two here

real ale    : Okell's bitter,  Okell's IPA, Arizona (Phoenix); Billabong (Big Bog);  Spitfire

Bitter:        :Absolutely (Madness)

lager         :Carling,  Veltins;  Weihenstephaner  Amstel

cider         : Thatchers   ; Hogan's Wild Elder                       Guinness

Hickory's Smokehouse is an American style diner specialising in BBQ flavoured food. Indeed, your eyes may sting on entrance so powerful is the sauce lingering in the air. There is a small bar with booths. Lots of outside seating looking across the river Dee

Have half pint here

real ale     : Hickory's

lager         : Amstel, Heiniken, Brooklyn's Brewery

 cider        :Symonds Founder's Reserve                                                 Guinness

The Boathouse (JW Lees)  is a dining pub by the river.  Attractive wooden bookcase/ display shelves with boating nick knacks and old books. These split the pub into comfortable seating areas. Outside terrace.

Have a  pint here

real ale    : Lee's Bitter, Draymen's Pleasure;   The Governor

bitter       : John Smith,

lager         :Carlsberg, San Miguel, Regents

cider         : Strongbow

                                        Guinness