This West Sussex cathedral city has Anglican roots dating to 1075. Its historic district centers around a medieval market cross, with local shops and the district council headquarters.
Chichester is West Sussex's only city, located between the South Downs hills and the English Channel coast. Walk through streets of independent shops and Georgian buildings, topped by a 12th-century cathedral with its distinctive separate bell tower. You can attend performances like "The Tempest" or "Oklahoma!" at Chichester Festival Theatre, see intricate Roman mosaics at Fishbourne Palace, or swim at the sandy West Wittering beach.
Exploring the City Center
The four main streets of Chichester meet at the Market Cross, a detailed stone structure from 1501 marking the heart of the city. Walk along pedestrianized lanes filled with independent shops and cafes housed in Georgian-era buildings. The intact Roman walls encircle the city center for 1.5 miles, creating an elevated walkway with views across rooftops and gardens.
Chichester Cathedral
The cathedral rises above the city with its unique separate bell tower - the only one of its kind among English cathedrals. Inside, modern art mingles with medieval architecture, including a stained glass window by Marc Chagall and a tapestry by John Piper. A family of peregrine falcons nests in the spire, and you can sometimes spot them hunting above the city.
Arts and Culture
The Pallant House Gallery, set in an 18th-century Queen Anne townhouse, holds an extensive collection of modern British art. At The Novium Museum, built over Roman bath house remains, you'll find artifacts from 2,000 years of local history. The Chichester Festival Theatre runs productions from May to September, with many shows moving on to London's West End.
Getting Out to Nature
Walk the paths of South Downs National Park just north of the city, winding through chalk hills and ancient woodlands. West Wittering Beach stretches six miles south, with wide sandy shores and shallow lagoons at low tide. Follow the Chichester Canal from the city basin to the harbor, where swans and herons gather among the moored boats.
Day Trips from Chichester
Walk among Britain's largest collection of in-situ Roman mosaics at Fishbourne Roman Palace, one mile west of the city. Visit the Goodwood Estate three miles northeast during the Festival of Speed or horse racing season. At the Weald and Downland Museum, explore 50 historic buildings relocated from across southeast England and reconstructed in their original form.
Getting Around
Trains run regularly from London Victoria (90 minutes) and Brighton (45 minutes) to Chichester station, a 10-minute walk from the city center. You can easily explore the compact city center on foot, while buses connect to nearby beaches and villages. Cycle the Centurion Way, a traffic-free path following an old railway line to West Dean.
