The Groves, Chester

The riverside promenade in Chester, along the banks of the River Dee, has been part of my life in Cheshire for nearly forty years. It is a beautiful, if somewhat neglected, feature of a beautiful, if somewhat neglected, city. Chester has a rich heritage, dating back to its formation as the Roman city of Deva and, before that, as an iron-age Celtic settlement. This peaceful stretch of river retains much of this ancient character, not least in the form of the city walls and imposing sandstone cliffs. At least twice each week, I walk a circuit of the city that includes the Groves. First thing in the morning, with the early sun reflected in the slowly moving river, it is a treat for the soul. Rowers are often putting their boats in the water and a wide variety of birds gather on the landing stages and on the weir, which is just before the stone bridge in the distance.