The Cholmondeleys of Cholmondeley, near Malpas in rolling Cheshire countryside, came to Cheshire with the Norman Conquest and descended, on the male side, from the Norman Marcher Barons of Malpas and, on the female side, from the half-sister of William the Conqueror himself.

Originally holding their estates in return for defensive services on the Welsh border, the Cholmondeleys were always prominent in the military affairs of the County. Hugh Cholmondeley was rewarded with a peerage as Baron of Nantwich in 1689 and was given the Earldom of Cholmondeley in 1706. He re-built the half-timbered Elizabethan mansion by the Chapel and laid out magnificent formal gardens around 1700. The 4th Earl's marriage to Lady Georgiana Charlotte Bertie in 1791 had brought the hereditary office of Lord Great Chamberlain of England to future generations of the family and he was created 1st Marquess of Cholmondeley in 1816. He moved the family seat to the more elevated and picturesque site when he built the current Castle between 1801 and 1804 when it became the first of Cheshire's picturesque Gothic revival castles.

Somerset Lodge South is one of a pair of archway lodges at the boundary of the Park and the Castle gardens and overlooks the rolling parkland with grazing cattle amongst magnificent mature trees

Guests will receive complimentary tickets to the Castle Gardens (April-Sept), said to be one of the most beautiful and romantically planted gardens in the North. Sweeping lawns are contained by a wide variety of mature trees, including Lebanon cedars, oak, and chestnut underplanted by bulbs, wild orchids, magnolia, camellia, azalea and rhododendrons. There is a Temple water garden, a rose garden and a variety of mixed borders. In 1977, a silver garden, containing distinctive silver-leafed plants was planted to commemorate the Queen's Silver Jubilee. Plantings have been planned to provide colour at all times of the year. There is an ancient private chapel in the park. There is also a children's play area, picnic site and rare breed farm animals, including llamas and African pygmy goats. The castle grounds are host to summertime classical music concerts and seasonal firework displays.

The ancient city of Chester has been a major centre of trade and occupation for over two thousand years. Founded in Roman times as the military fort of Deva on the banks of the River Dee, it became a major port and military stronghold. It has one of the largest uncovered Roman amphitheatres in Great Britain , with seating capacity for 8,000.

The Minerva Shrine, carved into a rock face south of the city's River Dee at Edgar's Field. Dedicated to Minerva, the Roman goddess of war, knowledge, learning and craftsmanship, the shrine is the only one of its kind still in its original position.

The walls of the Roman fort were built in stone in the 1st or early 2nd Century, but it was the Normans who extended the original circuit, building freestanding walls and adding towers, gates and a ditch. The main gate had a drawbridge and portcullis.

Many parts of the walls have had to be rebuilt because of extensive fire damage through the centuries but the city now has the most complete circuit of walls in the country with a walkway around the city of Chester of nearly two miles. The shopping centre includes the world famous Medieval 'Rows' – shops set in two tier galleries with original frontage, dating back to the 13th Century.

The Eastgate Clock was erected in 1899 to commemorate Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee two years earlier. The wrought-iron turret was designed by architect John Douglas, an important player in the city's black and white revival. The turret is over the Eastgate archway and spans the walkway of the city walls.

As one of Britain 's most popular Cathedrals, Chester Cathedral receives around one million visitors each year. It is a working church with regular services and is open to the public. The Cathedral has a long history, dating back to 907, although much of the cathedral we see today was started in 1250. As well as medieval masonry, the cathedral boasts magnificent oak choir stalls crafted in 1390. It also has one of the most complete groups of monastic buildings in the country, arranged around a cloister. It is now a showcase of architectural styles from almost every Century since the 10th. There are examples of Norman, early English, Decorated and Perpendicular styles. The Norman Abbey Church was gradually replaced by the present Gothic structure.

Chester Zoo is the largest and finest zoological gardens in Britain , two miles north of Chester, with an international reputation for animal conservation. Set in 110 acres of landscaped gardens, it houses many rare and endangered creatures in its wide collection of mammals, birds, reptiles and fish. The Zoo's chimp island is home to crowds of chimpanzees, the penguin pool has an underwater viewing gallery and the Elephant House is the largest in Britain . Many other attractions include Monorail and waterbus.

Beeston Castle near Tarporley is a 12th Century fortress with breathtaking views of the surrounding Cheshire Plain.

In the shadow of the mighty Lovell Telescope, Jodrell Bank unravels the mysteries of space. Wonder at the Universe in the stunning Planetarium. Explore fascinating exhibitions on astronomy, space, the earth, satellites and energy. Listen to Einstein and Newton share their secrets. Back on earth, explore the 35 acre Arboretum with over 2000 species of trees and shrubs.