Chichester, county town of West Sussex, is situated between the South Downs and the coast. It has a pleasant Old Town of Roman origin and a Late Romanesque-Early Gothic cathedral. The Cathedral and Pallant House gallery in Chichester feature a notable collection of 20th century British Modern Art. Chichester Harbor, sheltered by sand banks and the low lying Hayling Island, offers ideal conditions for sailing in its many inlets and attractive little bays.
Regnum (or Noviomagus Regnensium) was established by the Romans at the intersection of two important roads.
In Saxon times it became known as Cisseceastre. The cathedral was founded in the 11th century when, following the Norman Conquest, the town became an episcopal see. In the 14th and 15th centuries Chichester experienced a period of great prosperity, being transformed by the wool trade into a thriving port. Today it is the center for the surrounding region, an area which remains predominantly agricultural in character.
Each year in July, Chichester hosts a three-week arts and music festival.
The Chichester Cathedral took nearly 400 years to complete, which resulted in a mix of styles. The interior displays a variety of medieval and modern art.
Situated close southwest of the cathedral in Chichester, the Bishop's Palace has kitchens and a private chapel dating from medieval times. The chapel boasts one of the finest surviving paintings of the Winchester school (12th century), depicting the Virgin and Child with angels.
Bosham is one of the oldest villages in Sussex. On Bosham Walk you will find a collection of little shops and show cases displaying arts, crafts, fashion and antiques. you can watch artists and craftsmen at work and shop and browse for as long as you like.
Address: Bosham Walk Craft Centre, Bosham Walk Bosham Lane, Bosham PO18 8HX, England
The theater season in Chichester runs from May to September. During this time, the town comes alive with both formal and informal theatrical performances and street entertainment. The repertoire ranges from classical to modern, and an emphasis is always put on catering to families who are in town for the sun and sand. For this reason, many informal "light" plays are offered throughout the season.
Address: Chichester Box Office, Oaklands Park, Chichester PO19 4AP, England
This annual two-week festival takes place in early to mid-July and focuses on a different theme every year. Events include all ranges of performances, including operas, orchestral, choral, chamber and jazz concerts, recitals and film screenings. Celebrity lectures, military tattoo, fireworks, street entertainment and children's events are also part of the program.
Most of the daily events feature British artists, especially those who are young or on the rise.
The performances take place in the Chichester Cathedral as well as local halls and churches.
Address: Chichester Festivities, Canon Gate House South Street, Chichester PO19 1PU, England
Tips: Box office opens May 11 for public bookings.
West of Chichester lies Chichester Harbor with an attractive and distinctive landscape of its own - an area of waterways and marshland with large numbers of waterfowl, thatched cottages, little sandy bays and reed fringed shores.
Address: Chichester Harbour Water Tours, 9 Crawley Road, Chichester PO19 1UZ, England
A former corn stroe dating back to the 18th century houses the Chichester District Museum. In this historic setting you will find exhibits on local history.
Address: Chichester District Museum, 29 Little London, Chichester PO19 1PB, England
Hours:
January 1 to December 31: 10am-5:30pm; Closed: Sun, Mon
The Chichester Guildhall Museum in Priory Park is of considerable interest, containing mainly Roman archaeological finds.
The Guildhall was built in the 1720's as the churchof the Fanciscans and later became the townhall and law courts. The poet William Blake was tried here.
Address: Chichester District Museum, 29 Little London, Chichester PO19 1PB, England
Hours:
June 6 to September 12: 12pm-4pm; Closed: Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
Tips: Visits in may be arranged at other time of the year by phoning the Distict Museum.
Chichester's late Gothic Market Cross stands a short distance east of the cathedral, at the point where, still true to the original Roman grid pattern, the city's four principal thoroughfares, North, East, South and West Streets, intersect. The octagonal Cross in the Flamboyant style is open on all eight sides.
North and South Pallant, off East Street, contain a number of Chichester's fine old houses. Pallant House (North Pallant) incorporates a small but excellent gallery of modern art, including works by Sutherland, Moore, Nicholson, Severini, Leger and Klee.
Also includes displays of textiles and porcelain.
Address: Pallant House Gallery, 9 North Pallant, Chichester PO19 1TJ, England
St Mary's Hospital, a 13th century almshouse in Chichester's St Mary's Square, is well worth seeing for its old sleeping quarters, living rooms and interesting chapel.
An attractive walled garden adjoins.
Address: St Mary's Hospital, St Martin's Square, Chichester , England
Hours:
January 1 to December 31: 10:30am-12pm, 2pm-4pm; Closed: Sun, Sat
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
At the Sussex Falconry Centre visitors can watch flying displays of falcons and hawks. There is also the opportunity for visitors to pet and handle owls and birds of prey from all over the world.
Address: Sussex Falconry Centre, Locksacre Wophams Lane Birdham, Chichester PO20 7BS, England
Hours:
March 1 to October 31: 9:30am-5pm; Closed: Mon
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
The Tangmere Military Aviation Museum presents 70 years of military aviation history. Special emphasis is placed on the Royal Air Force, Tangmere and the Air War over Southern England during World War II. The hangar houses the Hunter, Meteor, a full-size replica of the Spitfire, the Hurricane and the Swift Jet.
Address: Tangmere Aviation Military Museum, Tangmere Airfield, Chichester PO20 6ES, England
Hours:
February 1 to February 29: 10am-4:30pm
March 1 to October 31: 10am-5:30pm
November 1 to November 30: 10am-4:30pm
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
The Weald and Downland Open Air Museum in Singleton is the setting for more than 35 historical buildings. The buildings are from all over southeast England and were saved from destruction by the establishment of this museum. The past is brought to life as you stroll among the buildings that have been restored to their original form and include a medieval farmstead, agricultural buildings, school, rural craft workshops and a watermill.
Address: Weald & Downland Museum, Singleton PO18 0EU, England
Hours:
March 1 to October 31: 10:30am-6pm
November 1 to February 29: 10:30am-4pm; Closed: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
Always closed on: Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Tips: Last admission one hour before close.
Parking: Free
Disability Access: Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
West Dean Gardens near Chichester are set in 35 acres of downland. They feature a 300ft long pergola, herbaceous borders, a water garden, specimen trees and 13 Victorian glasshouses.
Address: West Dean Gardens, West Dean, Chichester PO18 0QZ, England
Hours:
March 7 to October 25: 11am-5pm
Tips: Last admission 4:30 p.m.
Parking: Free
Disability Access: Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
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