Deva Roman Experience, Chester

Chester was Deva, fortress of the XX Legion, and this is the city's walkthrough version of it: reconstructed Roman streets and a bathhouse, costumed legionaries and gladiators, archaeological remains, and a warning list that includes strobe lighting, water splashes, loud noises and bad smells. Children rate the smells highest.

It closed in the pandemic, was bought in 2021 by Big Heritage, the team behind the Sick to Death museum a few doors away, and has been rebuilt since. Entry is £8 for adults, £5 for ages 5 to 15, under 5s free, card only. The catch is the calendar: weekends only in term time, opening up through the week in the school holidays, so book online and check dates first. Handy that it sits right off Bridge Street, in the middle of everything else Chester does.

What it costs: Adults £8, children 5 to 15 £5, under 5s free. Card only, no cash. A dual ticket with the Sick to Death museum is available at a discount.

Know before you go

Term time it opens to the public at weekends only, 10am to 6pm with last entry at 5pm; in school holidays it runs through the week - check the booking page for dates before promising anyone gladiators.
It takes card only, and the dual ticket with Sick to Death suits a child in the gruesome phase.

Worth knowing: Strobe lighting, loud noises and dark sections - better for age 5 and up.

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