Introduction
After our Stonehenge and Bath adventures, we continued heading north. Days 7 through 9 were a nice mix of a fun music detour, deep history in Chester, and our official crossing into Scotland.
Day 7: Liverpool Stop & Arrival in Chester
We left Bristol with some extra time, so we decided to make a detour to Liverpool to visit The Cavern Club — the famous underground venue where The Beatles got their start. The club is small, dark, and full of history. We stayed for a while, had a beer, and listened to a local musician. It was a fun, lighter stop that broke up all the historic sites we’d been visiting.
From Liverpool, we continued on to Chester and checked into our Airbnb right in the heart of the city. Our accommodations were wonderful—definitely a step up from the last two places. It was a good reminder that you can’t always trust the pictures on the Airbnb site; it’s worth reading the reviews carefully and looking very closely at the photos before booking.
After settling in, we took a short evening walk to get our first glimpse of the famous city walls.
Day 8: Exploring Chester
The next day we fully explored Chester. We walked the entire Chester City Walls — the oldest, longest, and most complete Roman walls in Britain (nearly 2,000 years old and 1.8 miles long). The views from the top over the city were beautiful and really brought the history to life.
We also wandered through the Roman Gardens, visited the amphitheater remains, and explored Chester Cathedral. We ended up spending quite a bit of time there, slowly wandering through the nave and side chapels while marveling over the incredibly detailed carvings — the stonework was so intricate, with everything from delicate foliage to biblical scenes and grotesque gargoyles. The cathedral’s towering ceilings, intricate carvings, and stunning stained glass windows were truly impressive. We finished the afternoon with some people-watching and a relaxing glass of wine on a sunny patio before heading back to our Airbnb.
Day 9: Driving from Chester into Scotland
On Day 9 we left Chester around 9am for the 4.5-hour drive to Edinburgh. We made several enjoyable stops along the way:
• Brougham Castle – A 13th-century ruin where we climbed the steep spiral staircase for great views.
• Mayburgh Henge – A stone circle where Jerry and Dave had a spontaneous moment — they took off their shirts and “frolicked” to the remaining stone while Karen and I laughed from the bank. It was one of the funniest moments of the trip!
• Arthur’s Round Table and Penrith Castle – Quick stops that added to the scenic drive.
The landscape became more dramatic as we crossed into Scotland. It felt like a real milestone in our journey.
Tips for These Days
• The Cavern Club is worth a stop if you have any interest in The Beatles.
• Chester is very walkable — plan at least half a day for the walls and cathedral.
• The drive from Chester to Edinburgh is pleasant with good stops. Build in extra time if you enjoy ruins and stone circles.
Fun Facts About Our Stops
Here are some interesting tidbits about the places we visited — they added even more appreciation for the history along the way!
• The Cavern Club, Liverpool: This legendary underground venue opened in 1957 as a jazz club but became the epicenter of the British rock scene. The Beatles performed here an incredible 292 times between 1961 and 1963. It’s small, sweaty, and atmospheric — exactly as it was in the early days, with the original stage still in use.
• Chester City Walls: These are Britain’s most complete circuit of ancient city walls and the only ones in the country that still form a full, unbroken loop around the city. In the 18th century, they stopped being used for defense and were turned into a fashionable public walkway — complete with steps added for easier strolling and even a few quirky traditions like the “Wishing Steps,” where locals say if you can run up and down without taking a breath, your wish will come true!
• Brougham Castle: Built in the early 13th century by Robert de Vieuxpont on the site of a Roman fort (Brocavum). It was later restored in the 17th century by the formidable Lady Anne Clifford, who loved it so much that she died there. Locals once believed a giant named Turquin lived in the ruins — a legend possibly linked to Arthurian tales of Sir Lancelot!
• Mayburgh Henge: This massive Neolithic henge (about 4,500 years old) was built using an estimated 20,000 tons of river cobbles from the nearby River Eamont — no ditch, just an enormous stone bank up to 15 feet high. Only one giant standing stone remains in the center (there were once several). It’s one of the most impressive and least-visited prehistoric monuments in Britain.
• Arthur’s Round Table: Despite the name, this Neolithic henge (around 2000 BC) has nothing to do with King Arthur — the association came centuries later. It’s a large circular earthwork with banks and ditches, located just 400 meters from Mayburgh Henge. In the 19th century, a local pub owner even turned part of it into a tea garden!
• Penrith Castle: Constructed in the late 14th century in distinctive red sandstone to defend against Scottish raids. It later became a residence for Richard, Duke of Gloucester (the future King Richard III). The ruins sit right in the middle of a peaceful park today, making for a lovely quick stop.
These little details made the drive feel like a journey through thousands of years of history in just one day!
Final Thoughts
These three days offered a great balance — music nostalgia in Liverpool, rich history in Chester, and the excitement of crossing into Scotland. The spontaneous moments (especially at Mayburgh Henge) made the journey even more enjoyable.
Next Up:
Our first full day in Edinburgh — walking the Royal Mile and visiting Edinburgh Castle. NEXT…
Click any photo to enlarge or start slideshow.
