Chichester

Chichester is the historic heart of West Sussex, a city with Roman roots and a compact centre that is easy to explore on foot. It sits near the top of the coastal plain, roughly 10 miles from Arundel to the east and 12 miles from Worthing along the coast. The city is the county town of West Sussex, so it is also the administrative centre for West Sussex County Council, and it sits at the edge of the South Downs National Park, with the chalk scarp rising immediately to the north. For visitors, it is the most complete base in the county: a medieval church, a Roman palace, an art collection, a working tidal basin, and the South Downs all within a short distance.

The City Centre and Cathedral

Chichester’s core is compact and walkable. The city was planned on a Roman street grid, and the four main roads, North, South, East, and West Streets, still meet at the medieval Market Cross. The cathedral, founded in 1075, is the only English cathedral visible from the sea and has a distinctive detached bell tower. Inside, the most famous feature is the Chichester Cathedral tapestry designed by John Piper, installed in 1966. The building also contains Roman mosaics and a medieval stone relief, the Lazarus panel, which dates from around 1120. The spire, rebuilt in the 1860s after the original collapsed in 1861, is visible across the city. The cathedral hosts art exhibitions and music events; check the cathedral’s own site for current opening times, services, and exhibition details.

The Roman Grid and City Walls

The city centre follows a compact medieval street plan. The pedestrianised streets contain a mix of independent shops, national chains, and cafes. The Butter Market and the Shippams building are notable landmarks. The city’s Roman heritage is visible at the Novium Museum, which displays the remains of the Roman baths, and in the street grid that survives from the Roman town of Noviomagus Reginorum. The city walls, partly Roman in origin, form a pleasant walk around the old town and enclose a roughly rectangular area.

Chichester Cathedral: Norman Core and Modern Art

Chichester Cathedral was founded in 1075 and retains its Norman architecture. Its most famous feature is the detached medieval bell tower, the only one still in use in England. The cathedral also contains a 12th-century relief of the Raising of Lazarus, a set of modern stained glass windows by Marc Chagall (installed in 1978), and the 20th-century tapestry by John Piper. The 13th-century double aisles are the only surviving example in England. The cloisters and the Bishop’s Palace gardens are open to the public. The cathedral hosts concerts, art exhibitions, and the annual Chichester Festival of Arts. It has a shop, cafe, and toilets; entry is free but donations are encouraged. For current services, exhibitions, tower tours, and access information, check the cathedral’s own site before visiting.

Pallant House Gallery

Pallant House Gallery, in a Queen Anne townhouse on the north side of the cathedral quarter, holds one of the most significant collections of modern British art in the UK. The collection spans the 20th century and includes works by Peter Blake, Patrick Caulfield, Elizabeth Frink, Freud, Hockney, Moore, Duncan Grant, Vanessa Bell, and Patrick Heron. The setting combines a historic house and a contemporary extension. The gallery is owned and run by a charitable trust and is open Tuesday to Sunday and bank holidays, with extended hours in summer. Opening hours, exhibition programmes, and ticket prices change seasonally, so check the gallery’s own site before planning a visit.

Beyond the Centre: Canal, Harbour and Downs

Chichester Canal runs from the city centre to Chichester Harbour at Birdham, a roughly 4-mile (6.4 km) route that is flat, surfaced, and suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs for most of its length. The canal towpath is a linear walk and part of the West Sussex cycle network; it connects to Salterns Way, which runs to the harbour. The surface varies between tarmac and compacted earth, so check the latest condition before setting out. The towpath is managed by the Chichester Ship Canal Trust, which runs boat trips; the trust publishes its own timetable and prices.

Chichester Harbour

Chichester Harbour is a large tidal basin and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). It is one of the most popular sailing and windsurfing spots on the south coast, with several villages and harbourside paths. The harbour is managed by the Chichester Harbour Conservancy, which publishes tide times, mooring fees, and water safety advice. At low tide, large areas of mudflat are exposed and the channel narrows; at high tide, the harbour fills and many footpaths along the water’s edge may be impassable. Always check tide tables before walking the saltmarsh sections or the coastal footpath.

Fishbourne Roman Palace

Fishbourne Roman Palace, about 1.5 miles west of the city centre, contains the largest known in-situ mosaic north of the Alps, dating to the 1st century AD. The palace was discovered in 1960 during a water main excavation. The site is a scheduled monument managed by Sussex Archaeological Society and includes the remains of a Roman palace, a museum, and a reconstructed Roman garden. It is served by Southern rail services to Fishbourne halt, plus a regular bus from the city centre. Check the site’s own page for seasonal opening dates and ticket prices, which change annually.

The Novium Museum

The Novium Museum in Chichester holds the remains of a Roman bathhouse and houses the Chichester and District collections, telling the city’s story from prehistory through the medieval period. It is operated by Chichester District Council. The building is accessible, with step-free entry. The museum’s collection includes the Chilgrove mosaic and the “Cog” silver ingot, both recorded in the museum’s published catalogue. Entry was free as of the 2024 visitor season, but opening hours and any future charges should be checked with the council before planning a visit.

Culture and Events

Chichester Festival Theatre is a producing theatre with a main house and a studio space; the summer season runs from May to August, with a separate autumn season. The theatre is a key venue in the city’s cultural life. The cathedral also hosts the annual Chichester Festival of Arts, alongside regular concerts and exhibitions. For current programmes, check the individual venue sites.