Riverside camping near Chester

Tucked in the elbow of the River Dee at the border of England and Wales, Chester is all about family fun and outdoor adventures. Once you’ve explored the city’s Roman walls, Tudor-style townhouses, and ancient amphitheater, plan a day trip to Cheshire Zoo, one of the UK’s most famous wildlife attractions, or take to the water to boat, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard along the River Dee. Campers have plenty of options, from holiday parks and caravan parks with electric hookups and full amenities to tranquil riverside campgrounds, country lodges, or rural Hipcamps set amid rolling farmlands.

Grassy peaks and heather-blanketed uplands lie over the border in North Wales, just a 40-minute drive from Chester. Bring your tent or drive your campervan into the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to hike and mountain bike across wild moorlands, discover Iron-Age hillforts and historic villages, and kayak along scenic canal ways.

Summer is the liveliest—and sunniest—time to visit Chester, when you can make the most of the outdoor theatre in Grosvenor Park or head to the Moonlight Flicks outdoor cinema at Chester Cathedral. The Taste Cheshire Food and Drink Festival (April/May) also pulls in the crowds, but watch out for seasonal showers—spring and autumn weather can be temperamental, so tent campers should come prepared.