Nottingham & Chester
 

Hmmmm, my title sounds a bit like a new must-see-tv plot for a cop show..."It's action-packed adventure with Nottingham & Chester, tonight on ABC..." <BR> <BR>Anyway, I'm interested in seeing both Nottingham and Chester, however, last year we passed through Chester on a train and it looked, uh, depressing and very industrial. I'm told it is one of, if not the oldest town in England and I'm interested in Roman and pre-Roman Britain. <BR> <BR>Has anyone been to either or and what did you enjoy about either? Perhpas more importantly, what DIDN'T you enjoy, if anything? <BR> <BR>Was my first impression of Chester wrong? <BR> <BR>Is Nottingham worth the sojourn?

Three years ago my wife and I spent two nights in Chester. My thoughts are that it isn't your typical tourist town like Bath or York. We took the train on our day of arrivalfrom London and were really pooped when we got to Chester. We walked the walls and the city center. The next day we took the train to Conwy castle. We did enjoy Conwy and had a great lunch in a pub next to the castle. Having said that, Chester did not have a lot to offer, but we really did not stay long enought to check it out very well. Hopefully you can find something of interest.

SC, I think a day or so in Chester is worth the effort - the historic center is very attractive and has some remarkable architecture - the second level arcades on the half-timbered buildings are very significant historically and a lot of fun. It's a good jumping off point for N. Wales, which has scads of castles, mountains, national park, etc.; also Chester is close to Liverpool, which IMO is under-visited. <BR> <BR>Nottingham is an industrial town which also suffered in the war. There's a castle and a lace market, and way too much R. Hood/Merrie Men cr*p for my taste. Unless you have a special reason for visiting, I wouldn't place it too high on my priority list. I was offered a job there in medieval times (seem like it) and am glad I declined, so I'm biased I suppose. Apologies to locals.

I've been to both towns. Yes, both are industrial; however both have points worth visiting, where you forget that there are factories close by. Chester is the oldest town in England, and has a medieval street that is wonderful to behold. It is worth a day trip. There is a walking tour available through Tourist Information that will let you "see" the old city in a few hours. Though touristy, Nottingham also is worth an afternoon's stop. For instance, the oldest pub in Britain (Road to Jerusalem) is there. It's a kick to be able to say you had a pint there. And the castle is worth a visit. (Nottingham is also a great source for hand-made lace, but you must be careful, because much of it is machine-made now.) Plus, get your picture taken with the statue of Robin Hood in the park beneath the castle. (You ARE a tourist, after all, and photos bring back memories.) Outside Nottingham is Sherwood Forest, which has a tourist park in it. (You might be one who goes in for that sort of thing--maybe you're a Robin Hood aficianado.) The other thing is that there is an old oak tree that is hundreds of years old that is interesting to see for a few minutes. Doesn't take too long to visit, plus you get to see a part of England that is different from many other parts, a beautiful portion where the forest land is maintained relatively well. Neither city takes too long and can well be done in day trips, or as stops on the way to somewhere else. For instance, Nottingham is not that far from Lincoln or York. Chester is close to Wales and can well be seen en route to or from. Go for it if that's what you want to do.

I did a day trip to Nottingham from Lincoln. I don't think I needed any more time there. The Nottingham castle is quite nice, with local arts, which I really like.

I visited Chester in 1980 and remember it fondly. The high points from out of the fog are: evensong at the Cathedral, which has some surviving medieval wall paintings; the hippocaust and other Roman ruins; and the black and white architecture.

Doesn't Chester have the leaning clock?

Another vote for a visit to Chester! Didn't see any of the industrial bit you're talking of SC, but the historical centre is gorgeous and we spent several hours there walking the walls and visiting the cathedral. Had lunch in a gorgeous old building (cafe above Jigsaw boutique). <BR> <BR>Don't forget that many glorious places have industrial outskirts, Venice for one. Suggest you get the "Eyewitness Britain" to see what the centre of Chester looks like.