Bridging the years

On Sunday 16 April 2023, Old Palace Chester hosted a special centennial celebration, to mark 100 years since the Queens Park Bridge Chester was officially opened. The event, hosted in partnership with Chester Business Club and Chester Regatta, was a fantastic opportunity for the local community to come together and enjoy food, drink and live music at Old Palace Chester, which sits on the River Dee overlooking Queens Park Bridge itself.

SAMANTHA DIXON, MP FOR CHESTER, THE LORD MAYOR AND LADY MAYORESS, JOHN AND HEATHER LEATHER, THE SHERIFF OF CHESTER, BOB RUDD, AND THE CHAIR OF CHESTER BUSINESS CLUB, ROY SHELTON WERE ALL IN ATTENDANCE. Adrian Carr, the grandson of A.W. Carr, the former Sheriff of Chester who opened Queens Park Bridge 100 years ago also attended.

About Old Palace Chester

A building with history and charm Steeped in 300 years of remarkable history, Old Palace Chester is today a luxury riverside wedding and events venue, set in the heart of Chester. Whilst boasting a desirable city centre location with excellent transport links, Old Palace Chester is a wonderfully tranquil space that blends stunning authentic architecture with flawless contemporary style.

Situated on Little St John Street, between the River Dee and historic Roman ruins, the Palace was originally constructed in 1751 to be the home of the Bishop of Chester, Samuel Peploe. Over the years it continued to be home to the Bishops of Chester throughout the 19th Century, before becoming the site of the Chester YMCA in the 1980s. Old Palace Chester was granted permission to become a wedding and events venue in 2017 and since then it has been the backdrop to many unforgettable events.

The perfect setting for luxury events

Whilst the venue is well-known for hosting beautiful wedding days, Old

Palace Chester also plays host to many other occasions. It is well-suited to corporate events that require an elegantly neutral backdrop and impeccable service from start to finish. Within the venue, you’ll find many outstanding spaces. The light-filled River Room is perfect for smaller gatherings, or as a breakout space for larger events. Meanwhile, the grand Ballroom seats up to 150 beneath the mirrored ceiling and beautiful chandeliers. The stylish Peploe Lounge serves as an excellent spot for guests to mingle and grab some refreshments, whilst the vast grounds mean that during the warmer months, there is plenty of space for outdoor events. Old Palace Chester also boasts 23 beautifully-designed ensuite bedrooms for overnight guests.

Over the last few years, Old Palace Chester has hosted large-scale charity events, balls, lunches and auctions. The luxurious feel and service that the venue provides makes it an unforgettable setting for such high-end events. The building itself is a work of art, with incredibly detailed plasterwork and considered interior styling throughout. This makes it an obvious choice for hosting art exhibitions. Each of the spaces is extremely versatile and offer a light and airy environment for enjoying the art on display.

High-quality food and drink

At Old Palace Chester, it’s more than a meal – it’s an experience. The venue’s expert catering team use the finest seasonal ingredients, prepared with the utmost skill and care. They work with clients to explore their needs and create dynamic and imaginative menus that are perfectly suited to the event and time of year. Event organisers can work with the team at Old Palace to carefully curate their event menu, with various options including welcome drinks, popup cocktail bars, an open bar, and much more. Guests can enjoy a delicious four-course meal, buffet, canapes, or a combination of them all. Every package will be fully bespoke, designed entirely to suit the event.

Alexander Mottram, General Manager at Old Palace Chester, explains: “Part of what makes our city so special is its’ rich history. We take our role as custodians of this historical landmark seriously and we have found immense joy in carrying out restoration work on the property and rediscovering the building’s charm and heritage.”

Alexander Mottram

Old Palace Chester 01244 564380 weddings@oldpalacechester.co.uk