A place, not just a venue
Not just a venue.
Our perfect setting.
We wanted somewhere with character, surrounded by history and already connected to the paranormal community.
Chester is a city where Roman ruins sit beneath modern streets, medieval buildings remain part of everyday life and some of the area’s most talked-about haunted locations are only a short walk apart.
We wanted somewhere worth travelling to — a destination people could explore before and after the festival. The Town Hall puts us right in the city centre, with historic streets, independent shops and places to eat on the doorstep. Its former police cells and Victorian courtroom bring a connection to the past that a purpose-built exhibition space simply cannot offer.
A city built on history
Two millennia.
Still visible.
The Romans established the fortress of Deva Victrix here. The city that grew around it lived through Saxon England, the medieval period, the English Civil War, the Victorian era and into the present day.
Much of that history never disappeared. You can walk the walls, explore Roman remains, pass beneath the medieval Rows and arrive outside a centuries-old pub without leaving the centre.
History in Chester is not kept behind glass. Old and new sit side by side almost everywhere you look.
Stories across the city
Chester’s paranormal history is all over the city.
Apparitions, footsteps, voices and unexplained encounters have become intertwined with Chester’s history. Some stories have travelled through generations; others come from investigations taking place today.
Roman Amphitheatre
The largest amphitheatre in Roman Britain still stands at the heart of the city, while stories of marching Roman apparitions have become part of Chester’s paranormal folklore.
Chester City Walls
A route shaped by Roman occupation, medieval defence and Civil War conflict — and surrounded by reported hauntings and stories accumulated across centuries.
The Rows
Chester’s famous two-tiered galleries place centuries-old architecture beside everyday city life. After dark, their covered walkways have an atmosphere all their own.
Chester Cathedral
Nearly 2,000 years of faith, architecture and human history meet here, alongside generations of stories of unexplained sightings in and around the Cathedral.
Lower Bridge Street
One of the city’s most historic streets, lined with centuries-old buildings and long associated with reported paranormal activity and local ghost stories.
Godstall Lane
Narrow, atmospheric and tucked away from the busier streets, this medieval lane feels like a fragment of old Chester carried into the present — and carries its own whispered tales.
But then we found our venue
History above.
Cells below.
Civic grandeur since 1869
Chester’s earlier Exchange was destroyed by fire in 1862. Its replacement was designed by William Henry Lynn of Belfast and opened on 15 October 1869 by the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII. Today, this Grade II* listed landmark remains a proud part of Chester’s civic life.
The sandstone façade and 160-foot tower make an unforgettable first impression. Inside, a carved stone foyer, sweeping staircase and richly panelled Council Chamber give the building real presence. A further fire in 1897 led to interior work by T. M. Lockwood — another chapter in a building that has continually evolved.
The stories behind the doors
Behind the civic grandeur is another history: the magistrates’ court, former police station and old lock-up cells. These are spaces where decisions were made, people waited and lives changed. The contrast between grand public rooms and former judicial spaces is part of what makes the Town Hall so compelling.
Commercial ghost-hunt accounts describe unexplained noises, shadowy figures and sudden cold spots, with the old cells attracting particular interest. These are reported experiences, not proof of a haunting. Some visitors describe an active location; others experience nothing. We will celebrate the history, share the stories and let you decide.
Explore the background: Town Hall history · Historic England listing · Reported ghost-hunt stories
Why this venue
The location is part of the experience.
A modern exhibition hall might have been easier. It would not have been us.
We want you to arrive somewhere special: different rooms, changing atmospheres, historic surroundings and discoveries around every corner. Talks, investigators, creators, interactive experiences, businesses, entertainment and community — inside one of Chester’s most recognisable buildings.
When you step outside, you are immediately back in one of Britain’s most compelling historic cities. Chester is not simply where the festival happens. Chester is part of the experience.
One remarkable city
One day.
One remarkable city.
01
Before
Arrive early
Completely optional and not part of the festival itself — but if you fancy making a day of it, walk the walls, find the Roman ruins, wander through The Rows and discover the historic streets and buildings behind the city’s stories.
02
Saturday
The Paranormal Festival
From 12PM – LATE, Chester Town Hall becomes home to investigators, creators, speakers, teams, businesses and everyone fascinated by the unexplained — one full day, all under one roof.
03
After
Stay a little longer
Again, entirely optional — the festival itself is one full day at the Town Hall. But if you’d like to, step back out into one of Britain’s most historic cities and carry the stories with you — the walls, The Rows and 2,000 years of history are all on the Town Hall’s doorstep.
Access & travel
Right in the heart
of Chester.
Getting here
33 Northgate Street, Chester CH1 2HJ. Chester Railway Station is around a 15-minute walk away, with taxis and local public transport available.
Parking
There is no public car park at the venue. New Market Parking on Hunter Street is our recommended nearby option; Little Roodee is another city-centre choice. Check availability, charges and opening hours before travelling.
Accessibility
The accessible entrance is via Princess Street, with an intercom connecting to the Town Hall team for assistance. Please contact us before booking if you have specific access requirements.
Chester 2027