The Appeal of The Groves
The Groves sits along the banks of the River Dee, just a five-minute walk from Chester's city centre. It's a broad, tree-lined promenade that stretches along the river — simple, really, but therein lies its magic. Unlike formal parks with their fenced playgrounds and designated "fun zones," The Groves feels refreshingly open. You can wander, stop, backtrack, sit on a bench, chase ducks, feed squirrels (if you've brought peanuts), or simply watch the rowing crews glide past.
For my son, it's the squirrels that seal the deal. Chester's squirrels are semi-tame and remarkably bold, approaching anyone who looks remotely snack-bearing. We've developed a Saturday ritual: a small bag of unsalted peanuts from Tesco, pockets stuffed, ready to deploy.
Our Saturday Afternoon Route
The Groves Promenade
We parked near the Suspension Bridge (there's a car park on Queen's Park Road — £1.20/hour, which feels reasonable by Chester standards) and started our walk heading south along the river. The path is completely flat, pram-friendly, and wide enough that even on busy days you never feel crowded.
The River Dee was calm that afternoon, reflecting the late March sun. Rowers were out in force — Chester Rowing Club is based right here — and my son was mesmerised watching the long, sleek boats cutting through the water in perfect synchronisation. "Why don't they crash?" he kept asking. Fair question.
We spotted our first squirrel within minutes. Then a second. Then approximately fifteen more over the next half hour. Some visitors feed them bread (please don't — it's bad for them), but we stuck to our peanuts, which they devour with admirable enthusiasm.
tips_and_updates Tip for Squirrel Feeding
Bring unsalted, shelled peanuts in a small paper bag. The squirrels will approach if you stay still and quiet — crouch down to their level and let them come to you. My son learned to place a peanut on his open palm and wait. Takes patience, but it's absolutely worth it for the delighted shriek when they finally take it.
Grosvenor Park
After about twenty minutes of riverside wandering (and squirrel diplomacy), we crossed into Grosvenor Park. This Victorian park is adjacent to The Groves and offers a different vibe — more manicured, with formal gardens, bandstands, and a brilliant playground.
The playground is excellent. Not the biggest in Chester, but well-designed for younger kids: a good climbing frame, swings that actually work (you'd be surprised how rare this is), a roundabout, and plenty of benches where I could sit and pretend to supervise while actually enjoying a coffee.
My son made a beeline for the swings. Fifteen minutes of "higher, Mum, HIGHER" later, he was ready to explore the climbing frame. I relaxed into the knowledge that we'd probably be here for a while. Grosvenor Park has that effect — time slows down in a good way.
The Ian Rush Moment
Here's where the afternoon took an unexpected turn. As we were leaving the playground, heading back toward the main path, a man jogged past us. Tall, lean, unmistakably athletic. My brain did that thing where it recognises a face but can't immediately place it.
Then it clicked: Ian Rush. The Ian Rush. Liverpool legend, Wales' all-time top scorer, Chester-born football royalty.
I'm not a massive football person, but even I know who Ian Rush is. He was just out for a run, completely unassuming, nodding politely as he passed. I considered saying something — maybe "thanks for the goals" or "my son's wearing Liverpool socks" (he wasn't, but I could've lied) — but in the end, I just smiled and let him jog on.
My son, oblivious, asked why I'd stopped walking. "Just saw someone famous," I said. "Was it Spider-Man?" he asked, hopefully. "No, love. A footballer." He lost interest immediately and ran ahead.
Back to The Groves & Into the City
We looped back to The Groves, following the path north this time toward the Old Dee Bridge. The afternoon light was gorgeous — golden and soft, casting long shadows across the river. A few families were setting up picnics on the grass. A couple walked past with two perfectly behaved spaniels. Everything felt quintessentially English in the best possible way.
My son found a stick (as five-year-olds invariably do) and spent ten minutes throwing it into the river, watching it float downstream, then sprinting to retrieve it before it drifted too far. Simple pleasures.
Chester City Centre
From The Groves, you're a stone's throw from Chester's historic centre. We walked up through the Groves Gardens (another lovely green space, slightly more formal) and emerged onto City Road. Five minutes later, we were on Bridge Street, right in the heart of medieval Chester.
We wandered the Rows — Chester's famous two-tiered medieval shopping galleries — which my son finds endlessly fascinating. The architecture is bonkers in the best way: half-timbered buildings, covered walkways at first-floor level, shops tucked into nooks and crannies that seem structurally impossible.
We stopped for a treat at a bakery on Eastgate Street (cinnamon bun for him, flat white for me), then walked a section of the city walls before heading back to the car. The walls are completely free to walk and offer brilliant views across the city and out toward Wales.
info What Makes The Groves Special
It's brilliantly simple. No entry fee, no gimmicks, no pressure to spend money. Just a beautiful riverside walk where kids can run, explore, and interact with nature (squirrels included) without constant supervision. The proximity to Grosvenor Park playground and Chester city centre means you can easily fill an entire afternoon.
- Flat, pram-friendly paths — perfect for buggies, wheelchairs, scooters
- Free to visit — only cost is parking
- Wildlife encounters — squirrels, ducks, swans, occasional herons
- Rowing club views — fascinating for kids to watch
- Direct access to Grosvenor Park — playground, gardens, bandstand
- 5 minutes to city centre — combine with shopping, cathedral, walls
Practical Information
Getting There
Parking: Queen's Park Road car park (postcode: CH4 7AD) is closest — £1.20/hour. Alternatively, park in the city centre and walk down (10 minutes from The Cross).
By train: Chester station is 15 minutes' walk from The Groves. Turn right out of the station, head toward the city centre, then follow signs for the river.
Accessibility: Completely flat, paved paths along the entire promenade. Wheelchair and pram accessible throughout.
Best Time to Visit
Weekday mornings are quietest if you want a peaceful walk. Saturday/Sunday afternoons (like ours) are busier but still never feel overcrowded. The squirrels are most active mid-morning and late afternoon — early feeders get the best encounters.
Spring and autumn are particularly lovely when the trees along the promenade are either blossoming or turning golden. Summer can get busy, but the shade from the mature trees keeps it comfortable.
What to Bring
- Peanuts (unsalted, shelled) for squirrel feeding
- Snacks/picnic — plenty of benches and grassy spots
- Scooter or bike for older kids — the paths are perfect for it
- Change for parking — card payment available but coins useful
- Sun cream in summer — parts of the path are quite exposed
child_care For Parents of Young Children
The Groves is genuinely one of the easiest days out in Chester. There's nowhere for kids to run off to — the river has a low wall, the paths are enclosed, and it's small enough that you can always see them. The playground in Grosvenor Park has good sightlines from the benches, so you can actually relax (rare!). And the whole thing is free, which means if your child has a meltdown after ten minutes, you haven't wasted £30 on entry tickets.
Why We'll Keep Coming Back
The Groves has become our reliable Saturday afternoon formula: fresh air, mild exercise (for me), intense running around (for him), wildlife interaction (squirrels, mostly), and a guaranteed good mood by the time we leave. It's not Disneyland. It's not even Chester Zoo. But it's reliably, consistently lovely — and when you're managing a five-year-old's energy levels, that reliability is worth its weight in gold.
We'll be back next Saturday, peanuts in hand, ready to see if we can spot Ian Rush again. My son is now convinced Spider-Man might show up next time. I'm not holding out hope, but stranger things have happened in Chester.
Plan Your Chester Visit
Exploring The Groves and Chester? Here are some helpful resources for planning your trip:
