A Dark History of Chester

A tour of the dark side of Chester’s 2,000-year-old-history. All these tales and much more will be of interest to all those who have lived in the city or know it well.

Chester’s history goes back two thousand years, from the Romans to recent times, and in the course of the centuries has witnessed many dark deeds and events. Chester’s historical buildings and streets were part of this history and in this book local writer and tourist guide David Atkinson investigates the darker side of Chester’s past. With help from experts in their fields, he reveals stories behind Chester Cathedral’s stones, the famous Rows and pubs and churches in the city, with ghosts, poltergeists and an apparent visit by the devil. The entertainment in the amphitheatre played an often brutal role in Roman Chester, public executions were held in the city with heads displayed on spikes, the local museum has a spooky side to its doll collection, and plague and pestilence were regular visitors. All these tales and much more will be of interest to all those who have lived in the city or know it well. Join David for a walk on the dark side.