2 hours
E-voucher
English
Overview
Opened in 1850, Overleigh Cemetery hosts many fascinating graves and monuments that reflect Chester's rich and diverse history. Every gravestone conceals a life story waiting to be told, and every grave has a hidden history. Led by a qualified and insured Green Badge guide, tours will include visits to around 25 of the most notable graves.
Designed by a famous local architect, T.M. Penson, the cemetery was laid out "with admirable taste" and included two lodges, two chapels, and an ornamental lake with three islands. Humble graves were unmarked or had a simple wooden cross, while the better-off had grander memorials.
You'll discover the extraordinary stories of some of those laid to rest here, including Mary Jonas, who had 33 children, including 15 sets of identical twins; Edward Langry, the husband of Edward VII's mistress, who went crazy and died in the local lunatic asylum; and William Bidulph Cross, who made his own illuminated coffin from wooden matchboxes.
Operated by
Paul's Chester Tours
Ratings & Reviews
Average Rating
4.69
/ 5
13 traveller ratings
5
10
4
2
3
1
2
0
1
0
5
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
Excellent introduction to Chester and its history
T6225NDstevep, Feb 2025
We joined Paul's "Welcome to Chester" walking tour and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Paul is an excellent guide, friendly and clearly very knowledgeable. He presented quite a large amount of information in a clear and entertaining manner. The pace of the tour was suitable for anyone (the tour demographic was ages 40+ to 80+ and we all managed to keep up!). Anyone who has significant difficulty with steps and stairs might struggle a little, but Paul's tour is definitely worth the effort!
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thank you so much for this great review. Hoping to see you back in Chester someday soon!
Engaging Walking Tour of Chester
johnkI1098QY, Feb 2025
Welcome to Chester - Walking Tour. Very informative and enjoyable tour. Gave a good orientation to centre of Chester. Interesting to see places that you would normally not gain access to without a guide. Who would have guessed what lies beneath Pret A Manger or above a jeweller’s shop (I won’t spoil things)? Paul was a very engaging and knowledgeable guide. Thank you.
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thank you so much for such a lovely review. Hope you enjoyed the rest of your stay and return to this amazing city soon!
The past reawaken.
DavidDeborah_S, Sept 2024
Fascinating tour, well worth going on. Guide had a great knowledge of the graveyard and 'occupants' and brought to life the ones who had contributed to the City.
Huge cemetery, some great carvings
Zebrazebra1971, Sept 2024
It was good to see the cemetery. Would liked to have more stories of general interest rather than of mayors or dignitaries of the area.
Itinerary
The guide will give a brief description of the background and history of the cemetery, which replaced the cemeteries in the 8 parish churches within Chester city walls which were full by the mid 19th century.
Stops may include the graves of famous Victorian personalities such as local architects, John Douglas and T M Lockwood, the archaeologist Professor Newstead, who excavated many sites in Chester, Dr Arthur Randall Jackson, who discovered 47 new species of spider, and the Browns William and Charles, who founded Browns Department store and saved Bishop Lloyd's palace from destruction. Others were victims of tragic accidents, such as two Hoole children who drowned after falling through the ice on a frozen pond, Marjorie Tucker an RAF driver in the 1st World War who was killed by a passing train a few weeks before the war ended, and Marie Verbinnen, a Belgian refugee who died of a heart attack just three weeks after the war's end. Thomas Hughes drowned when the Lusitania sank.
2 hours
Experience
Inclusions
- Qualified and insured Green Badge guide (2022)
Additional Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Guide Languages
English
Cancellation Policy
A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.