Founded almost two thousand years ago, Chester is one of the oldest cities in the UK. Settled by the Romans in 79 AD, the city originated as a fort by the name of ‘Deva’. Its location at the River Dee in the North West of England put it in prime position to sail to - and invade - Ireland and North Wales.
Some historians believe that Chester was once intended to be the capital of England, due to the fact that it was a significantly larger Roman fort than others such as York, but this is open to debate.
Nonetheless, the city was considered a place of strategic importance until the Romans withdrew from Britain in around the year 400AD.