Christmas in Chester

Above: The entrance to the Grosvenor Mall Shopping Centre and Chester's christmas lights glimpsed through the city wall.

Chester is the ideal place to do your Christmas shopping and soak up the festive atmosphere. It has a wide variety of shops ranging from all the familiar high street names to specialist boutiques and gift shops such as Molton Brown, Lush and Nauticalia. In December there will be a continental Christmas market, perfect for finding original gifts.

In the build up to Christmas the city centre is hung with lights and the half timbered shops and unique two level 'rows' ooze Christmas spirit. There are Christmas trees and all sorts of events to coax you into a festive mood.

Here are a few typical pre-Christmas events:

Christmas lights switch on by the Lord Mayor with music and fireworks. From 4pm on 12th November, the lights go on at 630pm.

Lantern parades leave from the cathedral on the 19th and 26th November. More details on the Visit Chester web site.

Winter Watch parade is usually held on the first two Thursdays in December.

Chester Cathedral is an atmospheric venue for christmas music concerts. They usually have several concerts, often by candlelight.

Chester Music Society will have details of Christmas concerts in the area to get you in to the festive spirit.

The Visit Chester web site will list lots more events in the run up to Christmas.

Chester Zoo has a carousel, train ride and side stalls as well as the chance to meet Santa from 5th December to 3rd January. You can also book a Christmas lunch in the Zoo's Manor restaurant.

At the time of writing our self-catering holiday cottage is available for Christmas shopping breaks in November and December 2009. During December, to get Christmas off to a festive start, we provide a decorated tree, logs for the fire and a welcome basket with some Christmas goodies.

Some ideas for Christmas shopping in Chester

• Lush in Foregate Street sells delicious handmade soap and cosmetics.
• Molton Brown in Northgate Street sells luxurious bath and body products.
• Nauticalia in Bridge Street (upper rows) stocks maritime inspired gifts. 
• Modelzone in Bridge Street (upper row) has a wide selection of kits, model railways and other big boy's toys.
• Toycraft in Watergate Street is a traditional children's toy shop.
• The Japanese Shop in Watergate Street stocks a wide range of oriental gifts.
• '...and Albert' in Eastgate Row sells unusual fair trade gifts including jewellery, musical instruments, home accessories and clothes. The proceeds support the And Albert Foundation's work in West Africa.
• The Cheese Shop in Northgate Street stocks a mouthwatering selection of cheeses, some matured in the cellars beneath the shop.
• Store in Queen Street sells unique storage and household products.
• Browns of Chester (Debenhams) in Eastgate Row is a classic English department store with a wide range of fashion, homewares and gifts. They have a cafe in the old crypt, a restaurant and provide a personal shopper service.