Chichester

Chichester is a cathedral city in West Sussex, on England's South East coast.

Chichester has been occupied since before Roman times, when it was believed to have been one of the bridgeheads of the Roman invasion of Britain. The city centre is built on the Roman town of Noviomagus, and it benefits from the cross-shaped design favoured by the Romans - North Street, South Street, East Street and West Street converge on the Chichester Cross, a medieval market cross.

Chichester is famous for the annual Chichester Festivities and the Chichester Real Ale and Jazz Festival.

• Chichester Cathedral, The Royal Chantry, Cathedral Cloisters, PO19 1PX, +44 1243 782595. Built in 1075, it is the only medieval cathedral to have a separate bell tower, and the only cathedral in England visible from the sea. Try to visit during evensong. Free entry and guided tours, suggested donation £4.
• Chichester Market Cross. directly at the meeting of the four main city centre routes, this stone built market cross is easy to find
• Pallant House Gallery, 9 North Pallant, PO19 1TJ (SE quadrant of city centre, +44 1243 774557. One of the best and most varied collections of art displayed in an attractive combination of Georgian house and 2000s annex. £12.50.
• Chichester Canal. You can walk or cycle the canal's towpath all the way to Chichester Harbour. Rowboats can be hired at the Chichester Basin although dropped bridges mean only a limited section of the canal is navigable. Public and private canal boat trips are also available.
• Fishbourne Roman Palace.
• Novium Museum, Tower Street, PO19 1QH. Chichester's new heritage museum opened in 2012, to replace the previous smaller Little London museum; built above a Roman bathouse Free.
• Tangmere Military Aviation Museum, Tangmere Rd, Tangmere, PO20 2ES (Follow signs from the A27 at Tangmere, or turn off the B2144 for Tangmere at Shopwhyke. The Stagecoach 55 bus from Chichester terminates at the museum, +1243 790 0990. February to November 10AM-4:30PM. A military aviation museum on the site of the former airfield, with many notable military and speed record aircraft.
• Chichester Festival Theatre, Oaklands Park, PO19 6AP (Access from Northgate Longstay Car Park. Cyclists may use entrance from Broyle Road. The Chichester Festival Theatre with its distinctive octogon shape and protruding stage is known for originating shows and productions that go on to transfer for West End runs. The Minerva Theatre is situated alongside. As well as opera, plays and music the theatre organises participation and youth activities.
• Chichester Gate Leisure Park, Terminus Road, Chichester (Follow signs to industrial estate from A27 'Tesco' or Stockbridge (A286) roundabouts, or about 5 minutes walk south of the station.. The park contains a cinema, bowling complex, gymnasium, various chain restaurants, bar, Premier Inn hotel and a car park that can sometimes be quite full
• Chichester Cinema at New Park, New Park Road, PO19 7XY, +44 1243 786650. Small community cinema showing innovative and specialist programme
• Chichester War Memorial, Litten Gardens, St Pancras Road, PO19 8EY (The Junction of St. Pancras and Newlands Lane. 1921 War Memorial moved to its current location in Litten Gardens in 1940.
• Southdowns Planetarium, +44 1243 774400. See Website for specific shows. Charity-run planetarium open for specific shows on specific days.

Chichester Cathedral, The Royal Chantry, Cathedral Cloisters, PO19 1PX, +44 1243 782595. Built in 1075, it is the only medieval cathedral to have a separate bell tower, and the only cathedral in England visible from the sea. Try to visit during evensong. Free entry and guided tours, suggested donation £4.

Chichester Market Cross. directly at the meeting of the four main city centre routes, this stone built market cross is easy to find

Pallant House Gallery, 9 North Pallant, PO19 1TJ (SE quadrant of city centre, +44 1243 774557. One of the best and most varied collections of art displayed in an attractive combination of Georgian house and 2000s annex. £12.50.

Chichester Canal. You can walk or cycle the canal's towpath all the way to Chichester Harbour. Rowboats can be hired at the Chichester Basin although dropped bridges mean only a limited section of the canal is navigable. Public and private canal boat trips are also available.

Fishbourne Roman Palace.

Novium Museum, Tower Street, PO19 1QH. Chichester's new heritage museum opened in 2012, to replace the previous smaller Little London museum; built above a Roman bathouse Free.

Tangmere Military Aviation Museum, Tangmere Rd, Tangmere, PO20 2ES (Follow signs from the A27 at Tangmere, or turn off the B2144 for Tangmere at Shopwhyke. The Stagecoach 55 bus from Chichester terminates at the museum, +1243 790 0990. February to November 10AM-4:30PM. A military aviation museum on the site of the former airfield, with many notable military and speed record aircraft.

Chichester Festival Theatre, Oaklands Park, PO19 6AP (Access from Northgate Longstay Car Park. Cyclists may use entrance from Broyle Road. The Chichester Festival Theatre with its distinctive octogon shape and protruding stage is known for originating shows and productions that go on to transfer for West End runs. The Minerva Theatre is situated alongside. As well as opera, plays and music the theatre organises participation and youth activities.

Chichester Gate Leisure Park, Terminus Road, Chichester (Follow signs to industrial estate from A27 'Tesco' or Stockbridge (A286) roundabouts, or about 5 minutes walk south of the station.. The park contains a cinema, bowling complex, gymnasium, various chain restaurants, bar, Premier Inn hotel and a car park that can sometimes be quite full

Chichester Cinema at New Park, New Park Road, PO19 7XY, +44 1243 786650. Small community cinema showing innovative and specialist programme

Chichester War Memorial, Litten Gardens, St Pancras Road, PO19 8EY (The Junction of St. Pancras and Newlands Lane. 1921 War Memorial moved to its current location in Litten Gardens in 1940.

Southdowns Planetarium, +44 1243 774400. See Website for specific shows. Charity-run planetarium open for specific shows on specific days.

• Walk the old city walls
• Take part in the annual Chichester Festivities
• Chichester Heritage Trails. 4 heritage trails around each of the four quadrants of the city.
• Goodwood Motor Circuit, Claypit Lane, PO18 0PH, +44 1243 755060. Motor Circuit with variety of motor participation activities and the annual Goodwood Revival Festival

Walk the old city walls

Take part in the annual Chichester Festivities

Chichester Heritage Trails. 4 heritage trails around each of the four quadrants of the city.

Goodwood Motor Circuit, Claypit Lane, PO18 0PH, +44 1243 755060. Motor Circuit with variety of motor participation activities and the annual Goodwood Revival Festival

• Smith & Western, Station Approach, PO19 8DN (next to the train station, +44 1243 788886. M-Sa 11AM-11PM, Su noon-10PM. American diner.
• The Kennels, Kennel Hill, Goodwood, PO18 0PN, +44 1243 755132. 7:30AM-midnight.

Smith & Western, Station Approach, PO19 8DN (next to the train station, +44 1243 788886. M-Sa 11AM-11PM, Su noon-10PM. American diner.

The Kennels, Kennel Hill, Goodwood, PO18 0PN, +44 1243 755132. 7:30AM-midnight.

• Dolphin & Anchor, West St, PO19 1QD, +44 1243 790280. Wetherspoons pub near the cathedral.
• Jasmine House, 28 The Hornet, PO19 7JG, +44 1243 786719. W-M 5PM-11:30PM. Good all-you-can-eat Chinese restaurant. Friendly atmosphere and cheap prices.

Dolphin & Anchor, West St, PO19 1QD, +44 1243 790280. Wetherspoons pub near the cathedral.

Jasmine House, 28 The Hornet, PO19 7JG, +44 1243 786719. W-M 5PM-11:30PM. Good all-you-can-eat Chinese restaurant. Friendly atmosphere and cheap prices.

The post office building has closed and the post office moved to a shop in North Street. Parcel pick-up and drop-off points can be found in shops. Many Wi-Fi hotspots are available in cafes and other establishments; Wi-Fi time can also be purchased from national providers. With access to the internet also being possible through the mobile telephone network there are no internet cafes left in Chichester, however computers are available in the public library.

• Post Office, 9 North St, Chichester PO19 1LB. M 9AM-5:30, Tu 9:30AM-5:30PM, W-F 9AM-5:30PM, Sa 9AM-3PM.
• Chichester Library, Tower St, PO19 1QJ (Tower street is opposite the cathedral, +44 1243 777351. M-F 9AM-7PM; Sa 9AM-5PM. Computers that may be reserved by adult non-members subject to an acceptable use policy. Wi-Fi is also available.

Post Office, 9 North St, Chichester PO19 1LB. M 9AM-5:30, Tu 9:30AM-5:30PM, W-F 9AM-5:30PM, Sa 9AM-3PM.

Chichester Library, Tower St, PO19 1QJ (Tower street is opposite the cathedral, +44 1243 777351. M-F 9AM-7PM; Sa 9AM-5PM. Computers that may be reserved by adult non-members subject to an acceptable use policy. Wi-Fi is also available.

Other places of interest in the Chichester area

• Arundel Picturesque town with impressive castle; 40 min by frequent train, change at Barnham
• Emsworth little fishing town has some great restaurants, pubs and an excellent food festival in early September.
• Selsey popular coastal destination
• Bognor Regis Traditional seaside resort, popular with families
• Bracklesham Bay popular coastal destination notable for surfing and kitesurfing

A little further afield, but worth the trip:

• Brighton an hour by frequent train, the Royal Pavilion is a knock-out
• Portsmouth 40 min by frequent train, see the Historic Dockyard

[[Arundel (England)|Arundel]] Picturesque town with impressive castle; 40 min by frequent train, change at Barnham

[[Emsworth]] little fishing town has some great restaurants, pubs and an excellent food festival in early September.

[[Selsey]] popular coastal destination

[[Bognor Regis]] Traditional seaside resort, popular with families

[[Bracklesham Bay]] popular coastal destination notable for surfing and kitesurfing

[[Brighton]] an hour by frequent train, the Royal Pavilion is a knock-out

[[Portsmouth]] 40 min by frequent train, see the Historic Dockyard