Chester Rows, Chester

Chester Rows, Chester (must see)

Chester Rows, located along the city’s four main streets, is an iconic feature of Chester, offering a fascinating blend of medieval architecture and modern utility. Originally designed as buildings combining shops with living quarters, the Rows now host a mix of shops, restaurants, offices, and meeting rooms, making them a vibrant part of Chester’s cityscape.

The exact origins of Chester Rows remain a topic of speculation. Many believe they were constructed atop Roman ruins during the medieval period, possibly after a devastating fire in 1278 destroyed much of the city. The earliest documented reference to Chester Rows dates back to 1293. These structures served dual purposes in medieval times: the lower floors acted as business premises, while the upper levels provided private living accommodations.

The medieval Rows were ingeniously designed. The entrance led into a hall, often utilized as a shop. In cases where the hall was large, it could accommodate multiple businesses. The upper stories served as private residences, while additional domestic spaces, including separate kitchens, were located in backyards. These yards also contained cesspits for waste disposal and rubbish storage. Beneath the Rows were undercrofts—stone-lined, rib-vaulted crypts used for storing valuable goods or general storage.

Today, about 20 original Rows still stand, with Cowper House serving as the finest example of their architecture. Its six-bay undercroft with rib vaulting has earned it a Grade I listing on the National Heritage List for England.

Modern visitors to Chester Rows will find them transformed into bustling retail and leisure hubs, such as the Grosvenor Shopping Center. The pedestrian-friendly streets make it easy to explore the Rows, which remain one of Chester’s top tourist attractions. Whether you’re shopping, dining, or simply marveling at the historic architecture, Chester Rows offers an immersive journey into the past within a contemporary setting.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Chester. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Chester Rows on Map

Sight Name: Chester Rows
Sight Location: Chester, England (See walking tours in Chester)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Chester, England

Create Your Own Walk in Chester

Create Your Own Walk in Chester

Creating your own self-guided walk in Chester is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Chester Introduction Walking Tour

Chester Introduction Walking Tour

Chester is a walled city in Cheshire. It was originally founded in 79 AD as a Roman fort with the name Deva Victrix. It was garrisoned until the 4th century when it was abandoned by the Romans. It is thought that the area was settled by Anglo-Saxons during medieval times. It was also briefly occupied by the Danes.

Chester was very important during the Industrial Revolution. This is largely due...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Chester's Black-and-white Architecture Tour

Chester's Black-and-white Architecture Tour

While the origins of Chester date back to Roman Times, much of the city center, and by far the greatest part of it, looks medieval. Indeed, if you visit the city, the first thing you notice is the magnificent black-and-white architecture. Despite their appearance, however, the majority of these buildings are Victorian by the time of construction.

The Black-and-White Revival was an architectural...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Chester's City Walls

Chester's City Walls

Chester City Walls are the oldest, longest and most complete (missing only just about 100 meters) historic defensive structure in Britain. Walking the full circuit of this ancient fortification provides wondrous views, wherever you choose to go, down into the city, and offers a fantastic insight into Chester's rich history.

First built by the Romans almost 2,000 years ago, the Walls were...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles