Car Rental - Chester
Surrounded by medieval walls, Chester is one of the UK’s greatest historical treasures. Over the centuries, the city has been invaded by the Romans, the Vikings and the Normans. Today, the people still come here in their thousands, but to see the sights and enjoy the shopping rather than to make the land their own.
We have convenient pick-up points located just outside the city center. Reserving a Chester car rental with us means you can quickly pack up the car and get out on to the road to explore Chester and the wider county of Cheshire.
Booking your rental car in Chester is simple and fuss-free. There are no hidden extras to pay and no cancellation or amendment fees should you make the change up to two days before collection. You’re also covered by our best price guarantee. So, in the unlikely event you find a cheaper Hertz car rental in Chester, we'll refund the difference.
Chester Locations
A Quick Guide to Chester
With its Roman walls, wonderful period buildings and quaint feel, Chester is a perfect place to visit during your vacation. Located on the border of England and Wales, it’s one of the UK’s most popular tourist destinations – wander around it and you’ll soon discover why.
Roam Around Roman Chester
Start your historical tour with a two-mile walk around the perfectly preserved city walls - the oldest, longest and most complete in the country. Originally built by the Romans in 70 AD, the stone border encircles almost the entire urban center and is a great introduction to the city.
Afterwards, you can have a short drive in your car rental to Chester Cathedral, which is right in the heart of the city. Construction started sometime around 1250 AD and continued over 275 years on the site of a Benedictine Abbey. This mightily impressive Gothic structure is surrounded by an extensive series of monastic buildings as well as the remains of a Roman barracks.
Close by is Eastgate, the original entrance to the Roman fort. This red brick archway is crowned with the iconic Eastgate Clock - one of Chester’s best-known landmarks - which was added in 1899 to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.
A short walk from the clock, you’ll find the Rows - a series of half-timbered, two-level galleried arcades along Watergate Street, Eastgate Street, Northgate Street and Bridge Street. Though most of the buildings are Victorian copies of the medieval originals, the black and white facades are a jaunty feature of the city and offer a memorable shopping experience in the commercial district.
Perched on a south-westerly hill overlooking the River Dee is Chester Castle. Built by William the Conqueror in 1070 AD, the highlight of this structure is the 12th-century Agricola Tower where magnificent wall paintings of St Mary de Castro, dating from around 1240, decorate the chapel inside.
A Day at the Races
For a chance to dress up and do something a little different, you can enjoy a day at Chester Racecourse, known locally as ‘The Roodee’. Horse races have been held here since the early 16th century, making it the oldest existing racecourse in England. To find out the full story, ask to join a race-day tour when you’re buying your ticket.
The Chester Roman gardens are another great day out. Just a short drive south of the city in your Chester car rental, this lovely sylvan space displays some of the most impressive artefacts of England’s Roman past.
Take a Trip to the Seaside
From Chester it’s an easy drive to the beautiful coast of northern Wales. The elegant Victorian resort of Llandudno is a great place to enjoy the staples of a classic British seaside holiday: a stroll along the pier and a stick of cotton candy followed by a Punch and Judy puppet show.
While you’re in the area, you should visit the Mostyn Gallery - a striking Edwardian art exhibition with some fine contemporary displays. Round off a perfect day by the sea with a ride on the Great Orme Tramway, the only cable-hauled street tramway in Britain. Soak up the views as the tram climbs steeply from the coast up to the top of Great Orme, the huge limestone headland which towers over the town below.
Whether you’re coming to Chester for business or pleasure, rent a car and make the most of your time in the UK. From medieval castles to seaside towns, you’re in the perfect place for a quintessentially British adventure.
Driving In and Around Chester
Chester is well placed for getting around the north-west of England, the Midlands and across the border into northern Wales. The M56 freeway bypasses the walled city along its northern edge and heads east towards the great northern hub of Manchester, which is only 40 miles away.
The waterfront city of Liverpool is even closer, just 28 miles to the north via the M53 freeway. Hop in your holiday or business car rental and in about 40 minutes, you’ll arrive in the rock ‘n’ roll city of Liverpool, home to the iconic foursome The Beatles.
The nearby M6 freeway unlocks the door to the length of the country, running north to Scotland and south towards Birmingham. For a westbound trip to the Welsh seaside, the coastal town of Llandudno is just an hour away.
Getting around Chester in your rental car is straightforward. The city walls are surrounded by an inner ring road. This route is called St Oswalds Way along the north and east edges, St Martin’s Way along the west edge and Pepper Street to the south.
Parking your rental car in Chester is also simple, with plenty of spaces available in central parking lots. These are open 24 hours a day and are close to all the main action, so you should never have to walk too far. There are also pay and display on-street parking spaces in the city center.
When you’re driving your holiday or business rental in the UK, you must stick to the left-hand side of the road, passing on the right, and you’re legally required to wear your seatbelt at all times. The speed limit tends to be 30 mph (48 kph) in built-up areas, 60 mph (96 kph) on single track roads and 70 mph (112 kph) on freeways. For definite instructions, keep your eye on the signs.
