Chester Southampton Train

The city of Chester is located in north west England close to the border with Wales and was one of the last towns to fall to the Normans during the Norman conquest of England. William the Conqueror ordered the construction of a castle that was to dominate the town. The city has a number of medieval buildings although some of the black and white buildings in the city centre are actually Victorian restorations. The major museum in Chester is the Grosvenor Museum which includes a collection of Roman tombstones and an art gallery. Chester Visitor Centre, opposite the Roman Amphitheatre, issues a leaflet giving details of tourist attractions.

Perhaps the most important structure that survives is Chester Castle, particularly the Agricola Tower. The River Dee, along with its 11th century weir, runs to the south of the city where it can be crossed by the Old Dee Bridge which dates back to the 13th century, the Grosvenor Bridge which was built in 1832 and the Queen's Park suspension bridge which is a pedestrian bridge. The Shropshire Union Canal runs to the north of the city and a branch connects it to the River Dee.

Chester Racecourse is close to the city centre and lies in the area between the city walls and the River Dee.

The port and university city of Southampton is located on the south coast of England in the county of Hampshire. Known as the cruise capital of Europe, Southampton plays host to over four million visitors a year and boasts an impressive cultural offering, from museums, music venues and art galleries, to award winning parks and the general hustle and bustle of a diverse city with fantastic shopping facilities. There are many attractions in the city to enjoy including the Southampton City Art Gallery. The internationally renowned gallery has a permanent collection spanning eight centuries which tells the story of western art from the Renaissance to the present day. The core of the collection is 20th century and contemporary British art. The gallery also offers high quality exhibitions ranging from painting, sculpture and drawing, to photography and film, as well as displays that change regularly to ensure new experiences with each visit. Located a few miles from Southampton is Beaulieu where you will find the world famous National Motor Museum including BOND IN MOTION, the world's largest official collection of James Bond Vehicles. There is also the World of Top Gear featuring vehicles from the popular TV programme, On Screen Cars to see the flying Ford Anglia from Harry Potter, and Palace House.