Chester is a picturesque town on the river Dee in Cheshire, in the North West of England, not too far from Liverpool. Steeped in history but full of modern facilities, it is a perfect destination for a family holiday, particularly as it is so close to other areas such as Liverpool and North Wales (it is situated right next to the Welsh border). Rent a cottage or apartment in the historic city for a low cost family holiday full of fun.

Chester has a wide range of activities available to visitors, from simply walking round the compact city centre and shopping to visiting the very visible Roman ruins which are dotted through the town. Particularly impressive is the Roman amphitheatre next to Grosvenor Park, and you can also see a reconstructed hypocaust (Roman underfloor heating, more interesting than it sounds) in the Roman Gardens - and another one in the basement of a Spud U Like restaurant! Chester Racecourse is nearby for the family's gamblers and horse fans, and the more active-minded can try their hand at boating on the River Dee. Chester Cathedral is also well worth a visit, as is Chester Zoo (which might be more to the tastes of the younger members of the family). There are also many brilliant restaurants in Chester, but also a large number of traditional English pubs, many of which serve reasonably priced hot food for meals out.

There are too main types of holiday rentals in Chester - there are self-catered apartments in the town centre itself, and holiday cottages further out towards Chester's outskirts and in the surrounding countryside. Expect to pay between £400 to £500 for a week's accommodation for a family of four - not only is this much cheaper than a hotel, but it's great for kids as they have more space to run around and let off steam without risking disturbing other holidaymakers. The cottages in particular are often period buildings as well, full of character, including idyllic lock keeper's cottages right on the edges of Cheshire's picturesque canals. A holiday in Chester has much to recommend it, but staying in beautifully appointed self-catered accommodation can really make it a trip to remember, rather than another bland hotel room.