What makes a luxury family holiday? It’s probably something different for everyone. Perhaps it’s spending time with loved ones that’s the luxury, maybe it’s the accommodation you choose, the memories you make or the bespoke and unique experiences you have.

If you’re looking for a luxury family holiday in Chester, you have plenty of options to choose from to cover all these bases.

Whether you want to treat your family to a luxury picnic overlooking the river, get your adrenalin rush with water-based activities, enjoy private city tours or get face to face with wildlife at Chester Zoo, there’s something for all ages.

Luxury experiences for families in Chester

What’s a luxury family holiday in Chester without an activity or two, an adventure, great food and some quality time together? If you’re thinking of a family break in this gorgeous Roman city, here are some experiences for the whole family to enjoy.

1. Chester Zoo experience day

World-renowned Chester Zoo is a great place to spend the day with your family. With a true conservation focus, you’ll spot some of the rarest wildlife from around the world. You can also go one step further with an animal experience day. On offer is a range of up close and personal experiences, including joining the ring-tailed lemurs for feeding time, a behind-the-scenes tour and even having breakfast with the lions.

2. Private hire boat trip

Chester’s river Dee offers scenic boat trips out to the city limits, with knowledgeable guides who’ll point out all the interesting sights along the way. If you don’t fancy seats on one of the larger boats, you can charter smaller boats privately – ChesterBoat has options for five or 12 people. Alternatively, rowing boats and pedalos abound.

3. Luxury picnic & walk in the Meadows

If you go down to the river or take a boat trip, you’ll spot the large green space on the opposite bank to the city. Chester Meadows offers lovely walks (perfect if you’ve brought your dog on holiday), is something of a wildlife haven and is the perfect spot for a family picnic.

If you’re staying at Daisy Joy’s Edgar House, just a few minutes’ walk from the Meadows, we can arrange a luxury family feast, complete with local goodies and a bottle of sparkling wine for parents.

4. Storyhouse

Storyhouse, situated in the centre of Chester, is a fantastic local arts centre with a theatre, cinema and a range of activities for children of all ages. And if your children take part in any activities there, you’ll find a welcoming bar and great food while you wait.

5. Private Roman tour

Chester is a well-known Roman city, and you’ll often see gladiators strolling the streets with groups of tourists. And it’s worth joining them – or booking a private family tour of your own – to learn about Chester in the time of the Romans and visit Britain’s biggest amphitheatre. Don’t miss the Deva Roman Discovery Centre to learn what life was like in Chester 2000 years ago. 

6. The tepee experience

If you’re staying in a holiday home in Chester, you could put on a magical sleepover for your little ones. A local tepee company can deliver and style bedrooms for an indoor glamping experience (something we can arrange for you if you stay in our luxury holiday home in Chester). And there’s no need to worry about dismantling the indoor tepees – it will all be done for you.

7. Hire a photographer for the day 

Capture memories of your luxury family holiday in Chester with a local photographer, who can spend some time with you taking informal photos. Again, this is something we can arrange for you if you stay at Edgar House.

8. Water based activities – from the laid back to the adrenaline-fuelled

There’s no shortage of water activities for the whole family in and near Chester. Paddleboarding and kayaking on the river Dee is the perfect way to spend a relaxing morning or afternoon. If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, try Manley Mere for sailing, windsurfing and power boating, and Wild Shore in Delamere Forest to try wakeboarding, the inflatable aqua obstacles and a version of Go Ape on water, Aquachimp.

9. Spend the day in Snowdonia

Snowdonia is just over an hour’s drive from Chester, across the border into north Wales. You could just go and take in the outstanding scenery and hike one of its many trails…or you could have an action-packed adventure day out.

Zip World offers heart-stopping zip flights over gorges, lakes and through caves, as well as underground golf, cavern tours and even trampolining in a disused mine. On the coast, you can learn to surf or hone existing skills at Surf Snowdonia, where you can also go mountain biking, free-falling and try out the pump track.

10. Quad biking

If all that adrenaline isn’t enough – or you have teens with excess energy and a need for speed – try quad biking through woodland, farmland and countryside just outside Chester (minimum age 10 years).

11. Polo academy

If there’s someone in your family who’s passionate about horses, JF Polo Academy offers experience days for all ages and abilities – you’ll even get to play your very own inter-family match. 

12. Go on a treasure hunt

Prefer to keep it a little quieter for a day? There are a number of local companies offering family treasure hunts around the city. Unearth treasures, solve clues and follow your treasure map while learning more about Chester.

13. Enjoy a family cookery lesson

Get the whole family in the kitchen (or alternatively this can be an adult-only experience…more on those below) and enjoy a cookery lesson from one of Chester’s many excellent chefs. Educational, fun and extremely tasty (as you’ll find out after your lesson), at our luxury holiday home in Chester, we can arrange a variety of cuisines, including vegetarian and vegan.

14. Family Day at Chester Races  

Chester Racecourse is the world’s oldest operational racecourse, established in 1539. With races throughout the summer, the highlight for families is Family Funday, which usually takes place in July and offers lots of free activities for children alongside the racing.

Hospitality tickets offer more space and privacy (book in advance), and a day or evening at the races is also a great experience for parents who may want some fun time without the kids. Which leads us on to…

Luxury experiences for parents in Chester

1. Tasting menu at Arkle

Arkle at the Chester Grosvenor Hotel is the last word in fine dining on Chester’s thriving food scene. Executive Chef, Elliot Hill, has put together an indulgent tasting menu with wine pairings from the hotel’s very experienced sommelier. If you want something a little lighter, the more informal La Brasserie is still a joy, with cocktails that make getting there for pre-dinner drinks a must.

2. Personalised wine tasting experience

Chester is home to several wine merchants that offer personalised wine tasting sessions – one, Vin Santo, from Chester’s historic 13th century crypts. If you’re staying with us at Edgar House, we can arrange an at-home wine tasting experience from recommended experts with a wealth of experience and knowledge.

3. Spa and golf at Carden Park

Carden Park, a luxury country hotel just outside Chester, offers both a world-class spa and two championship golf courses, one designed by Jack Nicklaus. Ideal for a parent-only afternoon, you could also take the kids as the pool is open to families, and there are plenty of countryside-based activities for older children, such as archery and segways, and a play area for little ones.

4. Afternoon tea 

Chester seems to have a plethora of places to choose from for a decadent afternoon tea. La Brasserie is the luxurious city centre choice, while the Grosvenor Pulford offers “the best afternoon tea in Chester” just minutes from the city in lovely landscaped gardens close to the Welsh border.

Alternatively, if you’re staying in our luxury holiday home, we can arrange a luxury afternoon tea either in Edgar House or in a location of your choice in Chester (we’re happy to make suggestions).

5. Premium shopping at Cheshire Oaks

Just a 10 minute drive from Chester, retail outlet Cheshire Oaks offers a designer shop-till-you-drop experience. With close to 150 stores and 18 restaurants and opening until 8pm most nights, there’s also a premium parking option and a delivery service for your purchases, leaving you hands-free.

6. Turn you holiday home into a Michelin starred restaurant

At our luxury holiday home in Chester, you can indulge in private chef dining. We can recommend several renowned professional chefs, giving you a high quality, bespoke dining experience using the very best produce to create remarkable dishes. You can even choose from their menu or have your meal tailor-made to your requirements.

Looking for a luxury family holiday in Chester? Take a look at Edgar House, perfect for extended families.