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  • The Old Kings Arms - North Wales - 1052773 - photo 1
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The Old Kings Arms

(Ref. 1052773)

Chester, North Wales & Snowdonia Show on map

4.3

Sykes rating

  • 6 Guests

  • 3 Bedrooms

  • 2 Bathrooms

  • Pets Yes

Features

  • Open fire
  • Garden / Patio
  • Pub/shop < 1 mile
  • Washing machine
  • Dishwasher
  • Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing
Cleanliness
Comfort
Facilities and Maintenance

32 Customer Reviews

  • "Really lovely cottage in a handy location for Chester."

    Just a 10 minute walk. Parking is abit of a nightmare as it’s on a double yellow road and there’s only an agreement for one car to park in the designated street spaces so other parking is a walk away from the property. The double beds are very small, I would say the property comfortably accommodates 4 as opposed to 6. We had 4 plus a dog and it was cosy, 6 people would be cramped. It would be useful for some essentials in the kitchen like kitchen roll, salt, pepper, although there was an insane stash of dishwasher tablets which is rare, usually you only get 1 or 2. We would definitely return as the base is great for the city centre and some lovely pubs in the village, all dog friendly!

    Reviewed by Sally9.2Dec 2023

  • "Had great stay here in Chester."

    House had a great location only 10 minutes walk to start of city centre. House was cosy and great for 4 people, any more would be cramped. Kitchen is very compact and lounge smaller than it looks in photos. Upstairs is brighter and more spacious. We thought house itself was needing a thorough clean. On surface looked ok but certain areas could be better. Downside aswell was there was no welcome pack to get you started, ie:- some teabags, coffee, sugar,salt or bread or milk. Other cottages we've stayed in all had something along those lines. When you've travelled for around 6 hours last thing you want is to go straight out to shops again, would be a nice touch to have these. Cutlery, mugs etc could be updated aswell. On the whole minor issues as we did thoroughly enjoy our stay. Loads of local walks for our dog and Chester itself was fantastic

    Reviewed by Neil10.0Jun 2023

  • "It is certainly a very quirky property."

    While the key elements were clean ie beds, showers, the whole house felt rather “tired”, cluttered (there are 48 false plants) and not very loved. The kitchen is very cramped with very old, in some cases grubby, crockery and kitchenware. The grill didn’t work and it wasn’t an inviting kitchen for any cooking. The boiler in the second bedroom isn’t great - it’s noisy and in winter would be quite intrusive. Outside is a lovely sunny courtyard but the false grass is a weird addition. The cottage lacked any info on nearest shops, cafe or restaurant recommendations. The welcome of Prosecco is lovely if you happen to want that (we didn’t!) but milk for a cuppa would be more welcome after a long journey. An unannounced visit from a “cleaner” to collect linen for another property distressed our dog and was a bit of a shock to know how to deal with - some notice would have been appreciated. Location to Chester city is excellent with several good walking routes in and out and a lovely day walking park nearby. Parking is ok for one car - not two as stated.

    Thank you for your feedback, glad you enjoyed the quirkiness of the cottage, the sunny courtyard garden, its close proximity to Chester and the village amenities of Handbridge just down the road. As described, there is plentiful ‘on-street parking’ to the front and nearby the house (not 2 specific spaces). As also clearly described, the kitchen is a ‘compact galley-style kitchen’, perfect for preparing a few holiday meals. That said, we are exited that in the autumn we’ll be installing a brand new eat-in kitchen in the current dining room! The astro turf was added in response to guest feedback as decking can be slippy and it gives a cottage garden feel that many guests welcome. Sadly we can’t leave milk as it cannot be stored but most guests are very happy to be greeted with bubbles. I have passed your feedback on to our cleaning company who will work on comments as they do take great pride in their work. I’m sorry to hear you had some issues during your stay. I called in to check over the changeover (as I always endeavour to do) just before you arrived and left you my mb number in case there were any issues, however I did not hear from you. The cleaner did unfortunately arrive unannounced having mistakenly thought it was the usual Friday changeover day and that the house was empty. On finding it occupied he politely asked if he might access the cupboard to get 2 duvet covers and did this as quickly as possible. He reported back straight away that you were most unhappy about this and found it a distressing intrusion. I immediately emailed you to apologise profusely and explain why I hadn’t given advance notice. Again I did not hear back from you so was not even able to provide a gesture of goodwill for this incident while you were still there. I do hope that you’ve taken happy memories away from Chester and wish you well. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Carol7.5May 2023

  • "Nice cottage, plenty of room for everyone."

    Could be cleaner in some areas but overall good. We couldn’t light the fire which was a shame as it was one of the reasons we booked it. Apparently due to a chimney fire. The mattress in the main bedroom is very uncomfortable but the other beds are good. The smallest bedroom has the boiler in it which is a bit noisy when it’s on but that said the heating is very good. Excellent location for Chester as you can walk in. Also not far from Liverpool and North Wales, good facilities in Handbridge. Prosecco and biscuits were a nice welcome gift.

    Thank you for your feedback. Just to clarify that, owing to the health and safety risks of operating an open fire, it has unfortunately been decided we are no longer able to offer this facility. There was NOT a chimney fire. We have replaced this with an electric coal burner for the remainder of this winter and fully lined real log burner will be installed in advance of next winter. We have not had complaints about the mattress before however we will be ordering a new one this Spring. Best wishes. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Samantha8.3Feb 2023

  • "Spacious house, we'll decorated, good furniture, excellent patio garden."

    Comfortable beds, good bathrooms. A bit too many artificial flowers and things on the wall such as key box at bottom of stairs and "dreams" pegs in bedroom (too high to use.) But pictures are very tasteful. Cooker easy to use. Glass cupboard a bit full - could remove glass vases from it. I was impressed with number of dish washer tablets - usually get about 3 if you're lucky! Thanks for trusting us not to pinch any! Loved the location in Handbridge - regular buses over the bridge into Chester, also nice to walk in. Good to visit the big houses in Queens Park. The heating was good - we had several light snow falls, coldest week of the year. Had a nice meal in the Handbridge Arms. Good Co-op and excellent greengrocer and coffee shop in the village.

    Reviewed by Fiona13.3Jan 2023

  • "Had a lovely stay in The old kings arms."

    Beautiful cottage with period features but modern fittings as well. Cosy lounge to relax in. Kitchen extremely well equipped. Very close to Chester city and all that it offers but there are shops and pubs etc in Handbridge itself. Plenty of parks and green spaces including river walks for dogs. Dog friendly cafes , pubs and restaurants in the city including Marmalade, Zurgers, Huxley’s on the wall with amazing views of the Eastgate clock. We visit Chester regularly and the cottage was perfect for us.

    Thank you for your positive response and, in particular, the up to date recommendations of cafes and restaurants. There are so many places within walking distance it's hard to keep up so these tips are very useful for future guests. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Jackie13.3Nov 2022

  • "Lovely property, great location."

    Beds were not comfy however and could do with being replaced. Condensation was a problem in the back bedroom also, with the window and wall often wet to touch. Did not detract from a great stay.

    Reviewed by Steven12.5Nov 2022

  • "We had a lovely week at the cottage."

    It was beautifully presented, very clean and warm. Perfect location for walking into the centre of Chester and a very dog friendly welcoming pub, The Red Lion, a five minute walk up the road. Easy access to local common land to walk a dog on and off the lead.

    Reviewed by Andrew13.3Oct 2022

  • "Dead flowers on the table in the hall was not an overwhelmingly good start, problems with the WiFi didn't help."

    The cottage was functional but unfortunately no wow factor. The bed in the main bed room both my wife and I found very uncomfortable and duvet was too small. Can not fault the location.

    I am sorry to hear about the flowers and this has been addressed with the cleaning team. We have taken on board your comments (FYI the duvet is a size bigger than the bed). With best wishes Property Owner

    Reviewed by Richard6.7Oct 2022

  • "Our stay was good, we had a nice welcome with prosecco, biscuits and flowers."

    The property was very handy for Chester only a 15 minute walk. The local shops and pubs were a 5 minute walk, it was good to leave the car at home. There were a couple of minor problems, when we arrived, but Meg dealt with them quickly and efficiently. Overall it was a good choice.

    Reviewed by Elizabeth12.5Sep 2022

  • "A nicely restored old property that has kept all of it's original features, you could well imagine being served a beer in the downstairs rooms."

    All the facilities were excellent, a very enjoyable few days in a lovely county.

    Reviewed by Richard13.3Aug 2022

  • "The Old Kings Arms is a lovely quirky property from opening the door on arrival to be greeted with a personal welcome card from the owner Meg with a bottle of prosecco and cookies was a lovely surprise."

    The cottage is very comfortable and really interesting love the decor. Off street parking for one car outside the cottage and walking into Chester through Handbridge to the River Dee is only a 10 to 15 minute walk. Ideally situated to explore the area. The courtyard garden is lovely with two areas one with comfortable seating and the other with garden table and chairs again as welcoming as the cottage. 100 % recommend has everything would definately re book.

    Reviewed by Kim13.3May 2022

  • "We had a really nice stay at the cottage and loved the styling."

    We would use again. Very convenient.

    Reviewed by Kenneth13.3Apr 2022

  • "We arrived at the Old Kings Arms, with glorious summer sunshine."

    And the minute we opened the door , the cottage puts its arms around you, and says “ Come inside kick your shoes off and relax” and we did. What a Beautiful place the decor and the comfort are something you look for in a holiday home. Every amenity was catered for, spotlessly clean and well looked after. After sitting for a while in the lovely seated area in the back. a perfect sun trap, we had a short walk over the bridge into the historic city of Chester, people sitting out, enjoying the lovely weather at the cafe and restaurants, just like the European cities we know. I can highly recommend a stay at the Old Kings Arms and thank Megan, and Sykes for the recommendation . We will be back ,many times we hope

    Reviewed by George13.3Mar 2022

  • "Good location with good local dog walking and easy to walk into Chester which is a great place to explore."

    Enjoyed the individual styling of the property. Had no problems parking locally which is often a worry. Rooms, especially the kitchen, are compact and we felt the kitchen could have been better equipped. A very enjoyable week.

    Reviewed by Adrian10.8Mar 2022

  • "Fabulous and quirky property in close proximity to Chester city centre."

    We stayed here as a family of 5 to visit family just across the border in Wales. (children aged 8, 11 and 14) and loved it. Beds very comfortable and heating was on when we arrived which was great as storm Eunice was in full force. Board games galore and a bottle of prosecco and biscuits to welcome us. The local pubs were also great and being able to walk to the city centre in 15 minutes was a bonus. Bus stop also outside if needed but we chose to walk despite the windy weather. The only recommendation would be for basic condiments such as salt, pepper and oil to be provided and a cheese grater but other than that we really enjoyed our stay and cant wait to return to explore more of cheshire.

    Reviewed by Sarah13.3Feb 2022

  • "Thank you for a lovely stay in Chester."

    The house was perfect, everything was provided and it is in a gorgeous area with lots of lovely walks and not far from Chester centre. We will defiantly be back.

    Reviewed by Philip13.3Feb 2022

  • "We had a lovely 2 night stay for my daughter 3rd birthday at the Beautiful cottage it was welcoming homely and very cosy, great location easy to get to everywhere we needed to."

    Georgina

    Reviewed by Georgina12.5Jan 2022

  • "The house is in an excellent position with easy access to the river walks and the city centre."

    It is a very old property so has some limitations, e.g. unexpected steps or slightly uneven floors and a bed room with room only for a double bed and a small kitchen. The furniture and decor would not be to everyone's taste, but is all well done and thought out. Our biggest problem was that there was no salt or pepper or cruet or mill, so no real complaints.

    Reviewed by Hilary10.0Jan 2022

  • "Lovely property a short walk from Chester city centre providing all the amenities you need both in the city and also within the property itself."

    Three good size bedrooms make accommodation for 6 comfortable with a lovely lounge area with open fire. Hosts were lovely and provided a lovely welcome gift. Would definitely recommend and go back if ever visiting Chester

    Reviewed by Ian13.3Dec 2021

  • "Lovely cottage in a lovely location."

    Reviewed by Paul5.0Oct 2021

  • "Lovely quirky home!"

    Reviewed by Trisha5.8Oct 2021

  • "The cottage was quirky but comfortable and we enjoyed our stay."

    About a 10 min walk into Chester and a local bus on the main road if you do not want to walk in. Pleasant sitting area outside. Only room for one car outside the cottage but areas near by for extra cars.

    Reviewed by Jane6.7Sep 2021

  • "Lovely property in excellent location we were easily able to walk into City from the cottage."

    dog safe garden excellent TV facility with Guest Netflix so it was easy to relax watching what we wanted after a long day walking the owner of this property understands design as it was very nicely furnished with quirky furnishings. Able to park car right outside the property would stay again

    Reviewed by Nicky6.3Sep 2021

  • ""We came to Chester to see family who live here and The Old Kings Arms was so near to them."

    We had a great week , walked everywhere and great walks in Dukes Drive with the dog. The cottage is exactly as you see in the photos and we were greeted with a bottle of wine and a cake and fabulous local flowers which was really a nice touch. The courtyard is a sun trap and a nice place to sit in the early evening . We loved the cottage , it is quirky , although it does feel in need of a little tlc. Our 14 year old thought it was cool and retro and loved it ." The Carthy family

    Reviewed by Sue5.0Aug 2021

  • "Sending a separate mail in relation to our stay- very disappointment"

    Reviewed by Lorraine2.9Jul 2021

  • "On the face of it this cottage is as listed, but, in the times of this pandemic I would expect the cottage to have undergone a deep clean not a superficial wiping if the work surfaces!"

    !! Under furniture it hasn’t been cleaned in months, on top of the fridge, the same, cupboards the same, downstairs bathroom floor, the same. Not what I expect from Sykes cottages at all, when comparing it to the first cottage I had from you a month ago! Also having been in Chester like yourselves I would have expected that you would have checked this property! Very disappointed and unhappy customer! Seriously thinking about using someone else for my 2 week work trip to Scotland in January!!

    Dear Mr Roberts, I welcome constructive feedback and have discussed your comments with the cleaners onsite. However, in response I personally visited the property an hour before your scheduled arrival to check it over (as I do before every booking to ensure consistent quality) and found each room in very good order. All the flooring has only just been commercially cleaned (which included under all the furniture) and the cupboards are wiped down each week. There was, indeed, dust on top of the fridge which has now been removed, thank you for pointing this out to me. I’m sorry you were unhappy with the cottage and that the duration of your stay was hampered by dreadful weather and hope your next trip to Chester is more successful. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Paul8.0Dec 2020

  • "Lovely, clean cottage - loved it!"

    Cosy, has everything you need. Well styled and spacious. So near to the centre and village pubs - highly recommended. Arrived to Prosecco - so kind. Thank you for having us.

    Gibson FamilyNov 2020

  • "We had a fantastic stay at The Old Kings Arms we did so much walking and it was superbly situated for walking into Chester, beautiful place and very comfortable and warm."

    Would happily return and probably will when we can enjoy it more without masks and restrictions everywhere but an excellent break none the less and came home relaxed and recharged.

    Reviewed by Lisa15.0Oct 2020

  • "A really nice cottage, full of character, history and charm."

    All credit to the owners for keeping and enhancing the historical feel to this great building whilst providing everything you could wish for and more. Very cosy. Ideal location for exploring Chester city centre and the river, hardly used the car all week. We didn't want to leave, we'll be back. The only regret is that the cottage is not ours, we would love to live there.

    Reviewed by Marilyn16.0Sep 2020

  • "This is the perfect cottage and location for a break in Chester, the cottage is really quirky, we all loved it, it had everything we needed and is close to pubs, shops and in just a short walk into Chester centre."

    We did lots of nearby cycle trails, the zoo and even the coast, perfect location.

    Reviewed by Oliver15.0Sep 2020

  • "Thoroughly loved the cottage!"

    So cosy, and handy to walk into the City. Don’t want to go home - we’ll be back.

    StoneSep 2020

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Summary

  • Three bedrooms: 2 x doubles, 1 x twin (the second double is very small and is serviced by a chest of drawers in the hallway)
  • Bathroom with bath, shower over, basin and WC
  • Ground-floor shower room with shower, basin and WC
  • Compact galley-style Kitchen
  • Living room/diner
  • Sitting room with electric log burner
  • Gas central heating
  • Electric oven and hob, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, washing machine, TV and WiFi
  • Fuel and power inc. in rent
  • Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
  • On-street parking in front of the property and plenty nearby
  • Enclosed courtyard with decking and seating One well-behaved dog welcome
  • Sorry, no smoking
  • Shop and pub 0.3 miles
  • Fuel for the log burner can be purchased from the local petrol station Note: Fireplace is display only
  • Note: Due to style of property, care should be taken as the stairs are very steep and there are many low beams, for this reason it is not recommended for guests with mobility issues
  • Note: Check in is 5pm onwards, checkout 10am
  • Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £150

The property

An old, rustic and traditional mid-terrace cottage, The Old Kings Arms presents a quirky and stylish setting for a trip to the ancient Roman city of Chester, resting in the quaint district of Handbridge.

Featuring very low ceilings with many exposed beams, The Old Kings Arms, being a former Coaching Inn, is full of classic cottage character, and is within easy reach of all of Chester's wonderful attractions.

Step inside and be welcomed into the sitting room after a fun-filled day, relax on the corner sofa amidst the vibrant furnishings and watch some TV, with an electric log burner in here too, it's a homely setting.Prepare a home-cooked meal in the fitted kitchen, complete with an electric oven and hob and a dishwasher, while a living room/diner awaits to seat everyone at the table and enjoy some quality time with a feature fireplace in here too.

A shower room can also be found on the ground floor, while upstairs there is a bathroom too.

Choose from three beautiful bedrooms, each with quality furnishings and elegant decor; there are two double bedrooms and one twin room, so would easily suit a family of six or two couples.

There is a bench to the front of the cottage where you can grab a coffee in the morning sun.

On a mild evening you can relax out in the enclosed garden space.

There is a gravelled area with outdoor dining furniture for alfresco meals, and an astro-turfed terrace with a lounge suite which is a real sun-trap in which to relax.

The rear of the property overlooks gardens and a church yard giving a surprisingly rural feel given you are only a stones throw from the city centre.

Walk down the road to the Handbridge shops to find all you need for essentials and food, with some delightful cafe's here too, as well as several pubs, including The Ship Inn lying just next to the Old Dee Bridge with views over the River Dee.

Head down to the riverside and grab an ice cream from one of the vintage ice cream stands, wander by the bandstand and see if there's anyone playing for you to sit and watch, or make your way to the pedalos, rowing boats or river cruises and enjoy floating along the River Dee.

Take a walk around the city walls and pass by the beautiful Chester Cathedral, take a look inside and if you're okay with heights then experience 'Cathedral at Height' and be taken up the tower to get the best view of Chester from 125 feet above ground.

The Old Kings Arms is just a stone's throw from the beautiful Chester Meadows which run alongside the river, perfect for taking the dog too for a run around across the fields.

A great day out can always be had at Chester Zoo, with over 35,000 animals spread out across 128 acres, you can see lions, tigers and even jaguars, as well as elephants and giraffes and many more, with a fabulous gift shop to visit at the end to pick a cute souvenir!

Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet near Ellesmere Port is home to a wealth of your favourite designer shops at discount prices, as well as a great selection of restaurants, a cinema, adventure golf and the Blue Planet Aquarium with one of the longest underwater tunnels in the world.

Discover a wealth of attractions in Chester from the comfort of The Old Kings Arms.

Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £150.

View on map

About the location

CHESTER

Liverpool 17 miles; Manchester 36 miles.

Chester has quite rightly been described as 'the jewel of the North-West of England'. Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of the city is that within a very small area there is evidence of every period of history - from the old walls and amphitheatre of Roman times, through medieval churches, Elizabethan timber-framed townhouses and Georgian terraces, to Victorian restorations and 21st century architecture. The city has much to offer the tourist, including excellent shopping in and around the famous Tudor 'Rows' and lovely walks along the Roman Walls, beside the River Dee and through the picturesque Grosvenor Park. Explore Chester's beautiful medieval cathedral, visit Chester Racecourse or spend a day at the world renowned Chester Zoo. Further afield, the stunning Welsh mountains and coastline, the quaint market towns and villages of Cheshire and the Wirral Peninsula with its first class golf courses, are all within easy touring distance, whilst frequent rail services make Liverpool, Manchester and the North Wales coast readily accessible.

View more holiday cottages in Chester

This property offers the following short breaks:

  • Winter
  • Off-season
  • Last minute
  • Christmas