Huxley’s is a cafe, bar and shop where you can buy artisan and local produce in the heart of Chester. The venue sits atop of SS Milton, neighbouring the Grosvenor Hotel. Access is from the historic City Walls, directly next to the world famous Eastgate Clock. Local freeman, Neil Chesters and his family have recently taken the building on which had been empty for a number of years after operating as an Antique shop since the 1960’s. They’ve done a beautiful job of restoring the listed Georgian property, and furnished it with antiques and decorated with heritage paints and prints of Chester scenes by local artists, such as Louise Raynor.
The cafe bar has a sitting room overlooking the Eastgate, providing views you can experience from nowhere else in the City and a wonderful vista through a porthole window that looks out along Eastgate Street, and beyond the Cross and Watergate Street out to the Clwydian Hills. For dry days, Huxley’s also offers alfresco seating on the City Walls. It is the only venue in Chester to offer this, and customers frequently comment on how much they enjoy this area, many saying it reminded them of holidays in Dubrovnik.
The coffee house serves locally roasted, sustainable coffee sourced through Rainforest Alliance ensuring you get the finest quality, single origin coffees from Central and South America, and that the farmers who grow it are paid fairly for their crops. A range of high quality teas are sourced from a local blender, offering something different to what you will experience from other coffee shops in Chester.
A range of cakes and bakes have been added. All are sourced from local artisan micro bakers.
At the bar, Huxley’s offers the full range of local Chester Beer. The Chester Beer Company is the only commercial brewery in Britain that brews beer without any chemicals. It offers a range of delicious brews from a modern, hoppy West Coast IPA to traditional sweet, dark porters. The IPA and the Blonde are the best sellers. Unlike most beers, it is suitable for vegetarians and vegans by virtue of not using the Isinglass after fermentation.
Chesters’ beers are supplemented by a selection of guest beers from other craft brewers and they stock a quality lager, alongside decent house wines at reasonable prices.
For the summer, Huxley’s provides delicious ice cream from a family owned, Organic dairy farm in a range of flavours. Huxley’s is looking to expand its range of local artisan products for customers to take home and for gifting, so if you are looking for a gift, or if you make something in the local area, come in and meet Neil and his team. They will always be glad to see you.
Huxley’s will also be available for private hire by arrangement on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights for parties of up to 20 people.
