Valentines is the perfect occasion to take your partner out to a lavish dinner and spoil them rotten… 2, 3, 4 courses perhaps? Add in some wine, some dessert and boom 💥 What started out as a loving romantic meal has turned into heartburn, bloat and a really tight waist band. The joys of getting older! 😆

So let’s change it up this year and take a wholesome smug approach to enjoying a day out with a loved one. Chester is a beautiful city with so many lovely areas close by, so we’ve dug out a few little ideas for you this Valentines Day

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Walk the Chester City Walls and Finish with Coffee (And Cake!)

Distance: 2 mile walk

Fitness level: Beginner 

Where?: Start at the Little Roodee or Watergate Street car park

Cost: Free + coffee for two ~£10

Chester’s walls are approximately 2 miles long and were first built by the Romans nearly 2000 years ago, Chester is the only place in the UK with a still complete circuit around the city. Walking the full  loop gives wondrous views down into the city and a fantastic insight into Chester’s long history. This walk will take you around 1 hour, passing historical sites like the Cathedral, Roman amphitheatre and Chester racecourse. The route also includes good views over the River Dee, and an opportunity to drop down off the walls and explore the River front. From here you can ponder up to Grosvenor park for great views over the meadows on the other side of the river. 

Once your circuit is complete, it’s time to find a hot drink and relax. There are of course many great choices for a coffee in the city centre, here are some of my favourites:

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Cycle Chester to Neston on the Greenway Cycle Route

Activity: 25 mile cycle ~2.5 hours 

Fitness level: Moderate 

Where?: Starting at CH1 4PR

Cost: free

This traffic free cycle route can be split up into sections with the Millenium Greenway running all the way from Mickle Trafford to Deeside (12km) along an old railway line (it’s been tarmaced!). You can then link up with the second path and head through the Burton marshes along the boardwalk through parkgate and onto Neston adding another 7.5km to your trip. To help break up your ride and fuel you for your return there are a couple of lovely coffee shops and cycle friendly stop offs!

Start at the gorgeous Meadow Lea Cafe, turn right and on the left you’ll see the start of the Millenium Greenway path. Hop on and get peddling! It’ll run the length of Mickle Trafford, through Hoole, Blacon and over the Queensferry blue bridge. Once you get here, you need to dog leg your way through the Deeside Industrial Estate onto the path to Neston. It is well sign-posted so keep your eyes focused on the signs both on the pavement and on posts. This isn’t the nicest part of the cycle, but you’re well rewarded once you’re through it.

Once you hit the salt marshes, there’s a great section of boardwalk across burton point. Alongside the cycle path, the sands of the Dee Estuary are rich in wildlife and nice and flat, providing lovely views of North Wales on the other side. Depending on your cycling experience, the route should take between 1½-2 ½ hours each way. You can keep going up the coast through Neston, Parkgate and along Thurstaton beach all the way to Hoylake promenade, but I’d pack a picnic and plenty of fluids! You can check out the Millenium Greenway path here in case the 12km is the perfect distance for you http://itravelsmart.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Green-GreenwayA-W.pdf

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A Dance Lesson! I Mean Could It Get Any More Romantic?

Activity: Waltz, Samba or Foxtrot…what will you choose? 

Fitness level: Beginner 

Where?: Aspirations Private Studio Boughton , Christleton or Mold

Cost: £40/45 mins 

If you’re really looking to impress this Valentine’s Day and rediscover your romantic side then dance lessons could be the perfect activity. Salsa is arguably the most sensual dance for couples and it’s also one of the most popular styles. It’s dynamic and in triple meter which means the steps are in threes…dum dum dum… tap tap tap… one, two, three… Another option is the Viennese Waltz which is more romantic than saucy and many couples choose this as their wedding dance. There’s also ‘the dance of love’… Rumba (get rolling those R’s). This style involves a lot of flirting with your partner and is described as a game of seduction. 

If you both enjoy it, why not continue with lessons and become pro dancers! It’s a great way to both do some exercise and enjoy each other’s company… and spend some time away from the kids!

So, what will it be? Walking, cycling or dancing with your loved one this Valentine’s Day? Whether it be one of our options or you find something else, make sure to tag us on instagram 👉 @ktchaloner so we can enjoy your day as much as you do.