University of Chester Riverside Museum open

Date
Wednesday, 01 October 2025
Time
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location
Wheeler, Chester
Email us for group bookings
Various items found with a soldier, including a lantern, trench orders booklet, mirror, soap, mug, casualty cards, a variety of books and guides, field dressing, all of the items are placed on top of a wooden foldable camp bed used by some officers in WW1.
Open EventCommunityFaculty of Health, Medicine and Society

The Riverside Museum, in the Wheeler Building on Castle Drive, contains a permanent collection of curiosities from the world of medicine, nursing, midwifery and social work. In addition, the First World War: Returning Home exhibition provides an insight into what a soldier invalided back from the Western Front would have found on his return to Cheshire. Using local examples wherever possible, the exhibition features aspects such as volunteer nurses, a doctor’s country practice, home life, food, rural life and social welfare. This exhibition was refurbished with the generous help of the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Heritage.

Visitors with an interest in health and social care or local history are always welcome to visit the Museum and find out more from the volunteers, many of whom have a health and social care background. Group bookings for six or more people can also be made at other times by prior arrangement by contacting: fhsc.histsoc@chester.ac.uk or 01244 512963.

The four remaining stained-glass windows from Chester Royal Infirmary are also available to view on the first-floor landing whenever the main reception at the Wheeler Building (off Castle Drive) is open. Sign in at reception and go up to the first floor landing opposite the old Council Chamber.

How to get here

The Wheeler building is located in the centre of Chester on Castle Drive by the River Dee. It is accessible via the M53, A55, A483, A51 and A41, and public transport from the city centre.

Find your way around Wheeler

Address

University of Chester, Castle Drive, Chester, CH1 1SL

There are cycle shelters at Queen’s Park which are marked with a yellow circle and the letter C on University location maps.

Chester railway station is a 20-minute walk from Wheeler and the Arriva 1 and 11 run frequent services that stop within a short walking distance. The Arrowebrook Coaches 26 also stops nearby. Parking is not available for students at Wheeler, however, all three Park and Ride routes, PR1, PR2 and PR3 have connections within walking distance to the site.

For alternative car parks, including the nearby Little Roodee, see the Cheshire West and Chester Council website.