Estuary River Canal

From Chester Wiki

This is a 4.5 km circular walk which follows the River Dee or the canal for all of it's length except for a short distance through Grosvenor Park. To avoid the crowds on the Groves use the red path and cross both the Grosvenor Bridge and the Suspension Bridge. On occasions when the Roodee is closed (during race meetings), cross the river at the Dee railway bridge and use the yellow alternative along Curzon Park North.

Assuming a start at Cow Lane Bridge take the steps down to the tow-path by the "Slow Boat" restaurant and walk towards the clump of trees. At the trees you can choose either to continue along the towpath or get up onto the wall. If you choose the tow-path simply continue along the canal past King Charles tower, around the corner, under the bridge and down by the locks to the winding basin after the rail bridge. If you choose the wall, head towards King Charles Tower and then follow the wall over Northgate and down the slope towards the Water-Tower - getting down off the walls onto the tow-path after you cross the railway.

If you wish, visit the boatyard, or drop into Telfords for a pint. Now head for the river. You can do this by following the lower canal branch. Eventually you will come out on the riverside promenade, a board-walk alongside the river. Follow this upriver, under the Dee rail bridge. On the far side of the bridge the gates to the Roodee are normally open. If they are not - take the detour up the wooden stairs and over the bridge to Curzon Park - this will eventually lead to the Grosvenor Bridge. If the gates are not closed then simply follow the path between the racecourse and the River Dee, through one of the arches of the Grosvenor Bridge to the foot of the mound of Chester Castle.

Either, walk along the Groves past Old Dee Bridge and the Weir to the Suspension Bridge or cross the Grosvenor Bridge and follow the path by the house called "Nowhere" to Edgars Field and the Minerva shrine - then continue past the Old Dee Bridge and the Weir to the Suspension Bridge on the quieter side of the river. If you need a drink, try the Boathouse and sit out in the beer-garden at the rear for a good view of the river. At the Suspension Bridge head up the steps past the Anchorite Cell to St Johns and if you wish have a look at the Amphitheatre, otherwise stroll through the park to Souter's Lane and then dow Russel Street, to Harkers Arms) and the canal. Head back into town and you will arrive at Cow Lane Bridge again.