The city of Chester, one of the most picturesque in the kingdom, was known in the Roman era as the “Camp of the Great Legion,” and was called by the Romans Deunana or Deva, being half surrounded by the Dee.  After the Conquest, the city fell to the share of Hugh Lupus, a nephew of William the Conqueror, who was created Earl of Chester, and was the builder of the first castle.  His descendants were Earls of Chester until the reign of Henry III., when the earldom was conferred upon Prince Edward, whose son, Edward of Carnarvon, was the first Prince of Wales.  The title is still used by the eldest son of the sovereign.

The streets of Chester are exceedingly picturesque, Old Bridge Street and Watergate Street being perhaps two of the best examples, abounding as they do in mediaeval timber work and oak carving.  But the most remarkable architectural features of the city are the “Rows,” which are certainly unique in this country.  These Rows, which contain the chief shops, are level with the first floors of the houses; the second floor projects over them, forming a covered way.  The streets were cut into the red sandstone by the Romans to a depth of 10 feet, the Rows marking the natural level.

The old walls of the city are among the most perfect in the kingdom, and measure nearly 2 miles in circumference, with four gates, one marking each point of the compass.  The east gate, showing the termination of the great Roman Watling Street, was rebuilt in 1769.

Chester Cathedral, though not of great exterior beauty, should be visited for the sake of its antiquity and its associations.  It is said to have been founded by Ethelfleda, the daughter of Alfred the Great, on the site of a nunnery built in 875.  The west front, with the Bishop’s Palace on its left, is perhaps the best feature of the exterior; while the Bishop’s Throne, in the cathedral, is a wonderfully early piece of carving, ornamented with figures of the kings of Mercia.

[Illustration:  Photochrom Co., Ltd.

ONE OF THE MOST PICTURESQUE OF THE ROWS AT CHESTER.

The upper floors project over these covered footways.]

EXMOOR

=How to get there.=—­Great Western Railway, Paddington Station.
=Nearest Stations.=—­Dulverton or Minehead.  For both stations
  change at Taunton.
=Distance from London.=—­180 miles to Dulverton; 188 miles to
  Minehead.
=Average Time.=—­To Dulverton varies between 5 to 6-1/2 hours.  To
  Minehead varies between 5-1/2 to 7 hours.

=Fares.=—­ Single Return
              1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd
Dulverton 30s. 9d. 19s. 3d. 15s. 4-1/2d. 53s. 10d. 33s. 9d. 30s. 9d. 
Minehead 31s. 4d. 19s. 6d. 15s. 8d. 54s. 10d. 34s. 4d. 31s. 4d.

=Accommodation Obtainable.=—­Dulverton—­“Carnarvon Arms,”
  “Lamb,” etc.  Minehead—­“Metropole,” “Beach,” “Wellington,”
  “Plume of Feathers,” etc.  Porlock—­“The Ship,” etc. 
  Simonsbath—­“Exmoor Forest Hotel.”