“Living here, the streets, the river Dee and the walls just become part of your life.”

Lesley Scott

I have spent much of my life travelling to Chester and only staying for short periods. When I was sixteen, I moved here full time, fully expecting that one day I would leave again and return to where I grew up.

What I did not expect was to arrive with few friends and slowly build a life that I would come to love, a life that feels settled, full and very much rooted here. Now, the thought of living anywhere else feels distant. Chester has a way of doing that… it draws you in quietly until you realise you belong.

I live in the city itself, something that became important to me after spending fourteen years in a semi rural village with my husband. When we decided to move again, my only real condition was that I wanted to be able to walk everywhere. Five years ago, we returned to the city centre and it has shaped our daily life in the best possible way.

I am biased, of course, but Chester makes it easy. History is woven into daily life. You pass Roman walls on your way to the shops, medieval buildings on the school run, and ancient churches on your walk home. Yet it never feels frozen in time. Chester is sociable, lively and deeply community led. People know each other, and you can rarely leave the house without bumping into someone you know.

That sense of place is exactly what makes 23 Grey Friars so special.

Set just inside the city walls on a quiet no through road, this ground floor apartment offers something rare in a city centre location: peace. There is no passing traffic and no sense of rush. Despite being moments from everything, the atmosphere here is calm and settled.

Step outside and you are immediately connected to some of Chester’s best routes and spaces. The River Dee, the racecourse and the city walls are all just seconds away on foot and quickly become part of your routine. Morning walks by the river, evening loops of the walls, short strolls that change completely with the seasons.

Inside, 23 Grey Friars is generous in proportion and has been carefully extended and fully renovated by the current owner. Two good sized bedrooms sit at the front of the property, while the living room stretches comfortably, providing space to relax properly. A full length media wall with a central fire and mounted television makes the room perfect for quiet evenings or entertaining.

A separate dining area off the living room has bi folding doors opening onto a private courtyard, something particularly rare within the city walls and even more so for an apartment. The kitchen extension, added in 2017, forms the heart of the home. Fitted with a sleek ‘Hacker’ high gloss kitchen and a larger than average island, it is a space designed to be used and enjoyed. Sliding doors along the full length of the kitchen allow the inside and outside to flow together naturally.

The courtyard itself is a real asset. It provides a place for morning coffee, informal gatherings or simply sitting outside at the end of the day. Combined with off road parking, it adds a level of ease often missing from city living.

Currently run as a successful full time holiday let, the apartment offers a ready made opportunity for buyers seeking a flexible income in one of the country’s most consistently popular cities. It also lends itself beautifully to those looking for a lock up and leave base, a downsizer wanting city living without compromise, or someone seeking a home that allows them to enjoy Chester on their own terms.

From Grey Friars, you can walk onto Bridge Street in two minutes. Independent shops, cafés and bars are part of the routine rather than a special occasion. Meeting friends on a whim or walking home after dinner is effortless.

For me, Thursdays are sacred. My best friends and I always meet at Paysan for a cheese board and a bottle of fizz, catching up and chatting nonsense with Tom behind the bar, or sometimes wandering across the bridge to Pickles in Handbridge. It is these little rituals that make me love living centrally.

Coffee culture here is also a big part of life. Bridge Street Coffee, Bread and Butter in Alexandra Court, Little Yellow Pig and Huxleys all have their place and are my favourites. But my loyalty lies across the river, at Nuance in Handbridge, where Jake serves exceptional coffee, plays the best music and has created a space that feels far bigger than a coffee shop, with stunning exhibitions throughout the year from local artists.

As for restaurants, there are many, I cannot even begin to mention all my favourites. But two have brought me particular joy over the last month. Maray, which has always been a firm favourite and once required a trip to Liverpool, has now opened in Chester and is deeeeeelicious. For Indian cuisine, Amni remains unmatched. After a year in braces, I had them removed last Wednesday, and my first port of call was here to enjoy a ‘McCartney,’ which remains my absolute favourite.

The city continues to evolve. Eastgate Square has brought a fresh feel, Harrods Beauty is opening, Sweaty Betty is already here, and The Ivy will arrive soon.

Beyond shops and restaurants, there is depth. Storyhouse offers a place to work, meet or escape for a few hours. The Cathedral hosts exhibitions, music events, workshops and daily services. These spaces add texture to life here and contribute to the strong sense of community that defines the city.

23 Grey Friars offers the opportunity to live within the walls, enjoying the city at close quarters while retaining a sense of calm and privacy. It is a home that adapts to the way you want to live, whether fully immersed in city life or simply close enough to enjoy it when you choose. Once you experience that balance, it is hard to imagine living anywhere else.

By Lesley Scott (a very biased resident of the city)