1day, Sun 22nd Jun 08
This is one of Britains oldest festivals - a 500 year old, colourful, midsummer carnival where a family of giants, mythical animals, musicians and dancers parade through the Roman City of Chester. We are going to show you all of our favourite parts of the ancient city then follow the parade and join in the celebrations.
Trip highlights:
. The carnival atmosphere in the ancient streets
. Walking round the 2000 year old city walls
. Shopping in the famous Rows - the black and white medieval shopping mall
. Picnicing next to the river
. Roman spotting
Itinerary
What’s included?
What's not included?
Important information
Things to bring
Pick-up & Drop-off times and places
More about the trip
Chester's amazing Midsummer Watch
Parade dates back 500 years to medieval times and is one of
the oldest and most colourful carnivals in the country. First started in 1498, it is when the people of Chester celebrated the summer solstice (the longest day of the year)
by parading through the streets wearing colourful costumes and carrying
massive model giants (which were common in the stories of medieval
times in England and Europe). Today the carnival atmosphere has
grown and the streets are full of musicians, jugglers, fire
breathers, dancers... and us!!
Chester
was once the largest Roman fortress in Britain, so some parts
of the city are 2000 years old. Its walls are the biggest and most
complete in Britain and they surround Roman ruins, 13th century streets, and the 1000 year
old Cathedral. We'll show you our favourite parts including the city walls, the black and white medieval shopping mall the Rows, the Eastgate Clock which is the most photographed clock in Britain (after Big Ben), and the remains of the Roman amphitheatre.
. When we arrive in Chester we'll show you our favourite parts of the city
. Watch the Midsummer Watch Parade
. Free time to explore the city
. Meet us by the river
. Leave to go home
What’s included?
1 full-day in the Roman city of Chester
. Chester city walks with us - see all the best places
. See the best parts of the Midsummer Watch Parade
. Information sheet & map
. Healthy drink and snacks on the bus
What's not included?
. Lunch is not included, but we know lots of inexpensive places to buy food & drink.
. Places we visit are free to see, but you may have to pay if you want to enter. (We'll tell you which are free, and how to get discount in the others - sometimes a smile isn't enough.)
Important information
. Waterproof jacket (you’re in England!!)
. Suncream (anything's possible!)
. Comfortable shoes for walking
. Packed lunch or we know cheap places to eat in Chester
. Your camera!!
. Your student card for more discounts!
. Travel insurance (never travel anywhere without it!)
Pick-up times and places
• Look for a silver or white 'Company Coaches' coach
• Our 'Don't be a tourist' sign will be in the coach window
• Please be at the pick-up point 5 minutes before the pick-up time
• Pick-up times may vary 10 minutes depending on traffic
Sunday 22nd June
If you are late we cannot wait!!
08.30 Harrogate town centre, Montpellier Hill Coach Stop (St Mary's Walk) map
09.00
09.30 Bradford city centre, Hall Ings, coach stop IN FRONT OF the Hilton Hotel map
10.00 Huddersfield town centre, bus stop IN FRONT OF the train station map
Drop-off times and places
The following times are approximate.
18.30 Huddersfield town centre, bus stop IN FRONT OF the train station
19.00 Bradford city centre, Hall Ings, bus stop OPPOSITE the Hilton Hotel
19.30
20.00 Harrogate town centre, Montpellier Hill Coach Stop (St Mary's Walk)