All aboard: why an autumn cruise on the Dee is Chester's best hour

Chester's walls, Rows and Roman remains draw the crowds, but some of the loveliest views of the city are found from the water. Now that the summer crowds have thinned, autumn is arguably the best time to take to the River Dee with ChesterBoat, the family-run company that has become a fixture of the riverside at The Groves.

The business offers sightseeing and themed cruises, parties and private charters along the Dee. Its classic half-hour city cruise is an easy introduction, taking in the riverside and its leafy banks, while a two-hour sightseeing trip allows a longer, more leisurely look at the Dee.

Part of the charm is the fleet itself. Guests step aboard boats including the Lady Diana, the Mark Twain and The Jackie, and listen to stories from Chester's long and colourful past as the city slips by.

Beyond sightseeing, ChesterBoat has built a lively programme of themed evenings. Afternoon tea cruises, fish and chip cruises and curry and quiz nights are among the regular favourites, and party cruises such as 90s nights have brought dancing to the Dee. Private charters make the boats a popular choice for birthdays, office get-togethers and celebrations.

For anyone planning an autumn visit, the timetable is reassuringly generous. Half-hour cruises run every day, weather permitting, until mid-December, sailing hourly from 11am until 4pm, or 5pm during British Summer Time, and every 30 minutes at busier times.

It is the kind of simple pleasure that suits locals as much as visitors: a chance to see a familiar city from a new angle, with a warm drink and a commentary that almost always reveals something new. For visiting friends and family, it is also one of the easiest ways to introduce them to the city, combining a little history with a lot of scenery in a single, unhurried outing.

Combine a cruise with a stroll along The Groves, a walk across the Queen's Park suspension bridge or lunch in one of the riverside cafes for an easy, unhurried afternoon.

ChesterBoat sails from The Groves, Chester. See the full range of cruises, themed events and charter options at chesterboat.co.uk.