Hotel Group of the Year
Visitor Guide
There's plenty to do in and around the Portal Hotel, Golf and Spa. Keep fit in the hotel's Technogym, swim in the 18 metre indoor pool or play golf on two of the best 18-hole golf courses in the UK. Nearby Chester is full of family attractions or you might prefer sightseeing or shopping at Cheshire Oaks. Our friendly staff are always on hand to recommend great places and to book transport or help with directions - just ask.
Sports & Leisure
Try quad biking, archery, clay pigeon shooting and paintballing at Catton Hall. Back a winner at Chester races, try laser shooting in Quasar, go hot air ballooning, walk the Chester walls or book a river cruise.
Sports & Leisure
Quasar
Quasar Elite™ is a game of wit and cunning - run, hide and disappear into the smoke to dodge your opponent's laser or sneak up and tag them! Lots of fun for all ages, whether you're a novice or a seasoned Quasar Elite™ champion. Bring dark comfortable clothes and flat shoes with soles that grip.
Opening hours: 10am - 10pm daily Distance from hotel: Approx. 30 mins How to book: Call 01244 400500 or visit www.laneleisure.co.uk River cruises
Drift along the beautiful River Dee aboard a luxury showboat. River cruises are available all year round, from half hourly daily cruises to special evening functions. Choose from a half-hour City Cruise or the leisurely 2 hour Ironbridge Cruise...or why not combine with an open-top bus trip for extra Chester views?
Opening hours: 11am - 5pm (weekends) 11am - 4pm (weekdays and winter season) Distance from hotel: Approx. 30 mins How to book: Call 01244 325394 or visit www.chesterboat.co.uk Catton Hall
Try clay shooting, paintball, quad biking and archery at Catton Hall. Ideal for corporate days, hen and stag weekends or just good old family fun, all the activities are available as single event packages or as part of multi-activity days.
Opening hours: Varies according to activity Distance from hotel: Approx. 40 mins How to book: Call 01928 788295 to check availability and book activities. Other local sports & leisure facilities:
Hot air ballooning - www.wickersworld.co.uk Tel: 01889 882222
Distance from hotel: Approx. 15 mins
Chester races - www.chester-races.co.uk Tel: 01244 304600
Distance from hotel: Approx. 30 mins
Northgate Arena leisure centre - www.cadsart.co.uk/html/north.htm Tel: 01244 380444.
Distance from hotel: Approx. 30 mins
Megabowl, Chester - www.megabowl.co.uk Tel: 01244 383125
Distance from hotel: Approx. 35 mins
Coliseum Leisure Park - www.coliseum-leisure.co.uk Tel: 0871 550 1010
Distance from hotel: Approx. 35 mins
Families
Delight the kids with a trip to Chester Zoo. Visit the Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre or try your hand at candle making in the Cheshire Candle Workshops. Travel back in time at the Llangollen Steam Railway or follow the spooky Ghosthunter Trail around Chester.
Families
Chester Zoo
The UK's number 1 zoo is set in 110 acres of award-winning gardens and shelters over 7000 rare, exotic and endangered animals. Kids will love the Fun Ark while adults will be delighted with the free parking and range of refreshments on offer. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
Opening hours: 10am - closing time varies according to season. Distance from hotel: Approx. 30 mins How to book: Call 01244 380280 or visit www.chesterzoo.org Blue Planet Aquarium
The Blue Planet Aquarium at Ellesmere Port is Britain's Ultimate Underwater Adventure and features one of the world's largest underwater viewing tunnels. Get right up close to huge sharks, graceful rays and hundreds of other amazing fish in fantastic surroundings. A great day out whatever the weather!
Opening hours: 10-5 weekdays, 10-6 weekends throughout the year Distance from hotel: Approx. 35 mins How to book: Call 0151 357 8804 or visit www.blueplanetaquarium.com Llangollen Steam Railway
Travel back in time on a steam engine and admire some of the most beautiful scenery in the UK. The Llangollen Railway runs trains for over 7 miles along the banks of the River Dee, on most weekends throughout the year. Younger kids will love a day out with Thomas the Tank Engine and friends during the school holidays.
Opening hours: Most weekends throughout the year, weekdays June-Oct. Distance from hotel: Approx. 45 mins How to book: Call 01978 860979 or visit www.llangollenrail.llangollen-railway.co.uk Other local family attractions:
Marbury Maize Maze - www.marburymaizemaze.co.uk Tel: 01948 667854
Distance from hotel: Approx. 10 mins
Cheshire Candle Workshops - Tel:01829 770401
Distance from hotel: Approx. 15 mins
Crocky Trail Outdoor Adventure Trail - www.crockytrail.co.uk Tel: 01244 336161
Distance from hotel: Approx. 20 mins
Ghosthunter Trail - Tel: 01244 402385 (Visitor Information Centre)
Distance from hotel: Approx. 30 mins
Ragamuffins Soft Playcentre - www.ragamuffins.co.uk Tel: 0845 0066220
Distance from hotel: Approx. 30 mins
Gulliver's Kingdom Theme Park - www.gulliversfun.co.uk Tel: 01925 230088
Distance from hotel: Approx. 55 mins
Attractions
Chester's historic attractions could keep you busy all day. Travel back in time to Roman Chester at the Dewa Roman Experience, see one of the world's largest telescopes at Jodrell Bank, take a stroll in Delamere Forest or go looking for Richard II's lost treasure at Beeston Castle!
Attractions
Beeston Castle
According to legend, Beeston Castle still guards King Richard II's lost treasure - maybe you'll find it! Climb to the top of the formidable 'Castle of the Rock' with incredible views over eight counties, from the Pennines to the Welsh mountains, or visit the exhibition and learn about 4,000 years of Beeston Castle's history. Natural woodland trails abound and there is plenty of wildlife to see.
Opening hours: 21 Mar-30 Sep 10am - 6pm daily.
1 Oct-31 Mar 10am - 4pm Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun.Distance from hotel: Approx. 10 mins How to book: Call 01829 260464 or visit www.cheshiredaysout.co.uk/m_beeston.html Dewa Roman Experience
Travel back to Roman Chester for a glimpse of a Roman fortress, galley and a typical Roman street. For some hands-on experience, try on a suit of Roman armour, fire a catapult or design a mosaic at the fascinating Dewa Roman Experience in Chester.
Opening hours: 9am - 5pm Mon - Sat, 10am - 5pm Sun.
Closed Xmas Day and Boxing Day.
Winter opening hours may vary.Distance from hotel: Approx. 25 mins How to book: Call 01244 343407 or visit www.dewaromanexperience.co.uk Jodrell Bank Observatory
See the third largest steerable radio telescope in the world at the Jodrell Bank Observatory, established by Sir Bernard Lovell in 1945 after his work on radar in the World War 2 prompted him to investigate cosmic rays. The Observatory has since played an important role in research on meteors, quasars, pulsars and masers and is a place of wonder and inspiration for the many people who visit the Visitor Centre each year.
Opening hours: 1 Apr-2 Nov 10.30am - 5pm daily.
4 Nov-30 Jan 10.30am - 3pm Mon-Fri, 11am - 4pm Weekends.
Closed Mondays in Nov and Dec. Special Xmas holiday opening hrs.Distance from hotel: Approx. 40 mins How to book: Call 01477 571321 or visit www.jb.man.ac.uk Other local attractions:-
Delamere Forest - www.forestry.gov.uk/delamerehome Tel: 01606 889792
Distance from hotel: Approx. 10 minsCholmondeley Castle Gardens - www.discovercheshiregardens.co.uk Tel: 01829 720383
Distance from hotel: Approx. 20 minsCheshire Military Museum - www.chester.ac.uk/militarymuseum/ Tel: 01244 403933
Distance from hotel: Approx. 25 minsTatton Park - www.tattonpark.org.uk Tel: 01625 374400
Distance from hotel: Approx. 40 mins
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