Chichester city walls and market cross
Check out the content in Chichester, which still retains its city walls, among the best-preserved Roman walls in southern England, with more than 80 percent of the original structure intact. At the heart of the city, where its four main streets converge, stands the Chichester Cross, an ornate stone market cross believed to date back to the early 16th century.
Book one of our Chichester accommodations and explore a city rich with contemporary restaurants, cafes, and shops, alongside a wealth of history and culture.
Chichester Cathedral
Chichester's Norman Cathedral was consecrated in 1108. Its various alterations and additions over the years, including the Victorian spire, create a fascinating blend of architectural styles. The cathedral is renowned for its impressive art collection, featuring medieval carvings, 20th-century paintings and sculptures, a window by Marc Chagall, and a tapestry by John Piper. Entry to the cathedral is free, and free guided tours are available every day except Sunday.
Parks
Near the cathedral and bordered by city walls are the picturesque Bishop's Palace Gardens. Visitors can enjoy climbing roses, clematis, honeysuckle, an arboretum with rare trees, Mediterranean plants, an Alpine garden, a wildlife garden designed to attract insects and birds, and a pond.
Also in the city center are the Victorian Jubilee Gardens, adorned with trees and colorful flowers, and Priory Park. Here you'll find remnants of the Norman castle and the Guildhall, a building originally a 13th-century church but used for local government over the years. The park often hosts community events and features a play area, an aviary, a bowling green, and a cricket pitch.
Museums and galleries
Chichester's museum, The Novium, houses the remains of the city's Roman baths and is located on the original site. Its collection of more than 150,000 objects narrates the city's history, including Roman artifacts, historical photographs, prehistoric tools, and even a mammoth's shoulder blade. Art enthusiasts should visit the award-winning Pallant House Gallery, home to one of the country's best collections of 20th-century British art, featuring works by Lucian Freud, Sir Peter Blake, Walter Sickert, Graham Sutherland, Henry Moore, and many others. There’s also the Otter Gallery at the university, with its collection of modern British art including sculptures, paintings, wall hangings, drawings, ceramics, and more.
Eating and drinking
The family-owned Amelie and Friends, located in a Georgian building in the city center, has been awarded a Bib Gourmand by Michelin, though the home-cooked food remains refreshingly unpretentious. They offer good vegetarian and vegan options, and on a nice day, you can sit among the olive trees in the walled garden. For something more exotic, check out Thai House, the China Royal Chinese Restaurant, or Masala Gate. Enjoy home-cooked food, real ales, a log fire, and a courtyard garden at the George and Dragon, or visit The Four Chesnuts for more real ales and live music.
