![SDVH [Self Drive Vehicle Hire]](https://sdvh.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/SDVH_logo_concept_4-02.svg){kind=logo}
Chichester is a charming and stylish city situated in West Sussex. The city has a rich historical heritage with strong ties to the Roman conquest of Britain. It combines the attractions of a flourishing urban area with the remains of Roman settlements, including the original Roman walls. This article is for anyone who plans to visit and is looking for things to do in Chichester.
Just a short train ride from London, Chichester has numerous ancient and modern attractions. However, it can be difficult to determine what areas are worth visiting if you’re in the city for the first time. We’ll explore everything from serene historical locations to lively spots in Chichester.
Table Of Contents
- 1 15 Best Things To Do In Chichester
- 1.1 1. Visit Chichester Cathedral
- 1.2 2. Watch A Play At Chichester Festival Theatre
- 1.3 3. Explore Fishbourne Roman Palace
- 1.4 4. Walk Through The Bishop’s Palace Gardens
- 1.5 5. Visit The Pallant House Gallery
- 1.6 6. Walk Around Chichester Harbour
- 1.7 7. Check Out Chichester Walls
- 1.8 8. Learn History In The Weald & Downland Living Museum
- 1.9 9. Explore Goodwood
- 1.10 10. Spend Time In The South Downs National Park
- 1.11 11. See West Dean Gardens
- 1.12 12. Shop On North Street
- 1.13 13. Explore The Novium Museum
- 1.14 14. Take A Picnic In Priory Park
- 1.15 15. Cycle The Salterns Way
- 2 Frequently Asked Questions
- 3 Conclusion
15 Best Things To Do In Chichester
Chichester, West Sussex, has numerous notable attractions worth seeing, but we have compiled a list containing 15 of the best.
1. Visit Chichester Cathedral
Chichester Cathedral is a majestic Gothic structure located in West Sussex, England. The architecture alone is enough to inspire awe and contemplation in visitors. The cathedral is most famous for its impressive West Window, which was created using intricate stained glass craftsmanship.
Also, the cloisters at Chichester Cathedral are perfect for those seeking spiritual solace while admiring the beauty of nature around them. Visitors can appreciate the tapestry-like gardens that have been carefully nurtured over time and explore their devotion to faith within these walls.
2. Watch A Play At Chichester Festival Theatre
Another interesting place worth exploring in Chichester is the Chichester Festival Theatre, one of the UK’s premier theatres. This venue receives a lot of praise for its high-quality productions and its work with the community.
There’s a big car park near Chichester Festival Theatre where you can leave your vehicle for some time.
Chichester Festival Theatre hosts various plays, from classic dramas to contemporary work, so you’re sure to find something you like. The venue also holds other side events during festival season, such as productions at the smaller Minerva Theatre, talks and dance workshops.
The theatre is situated in Oaklands Park, in the city centre, which makes it easy for you to access it from different areas in Chichester.
3. Explore Fishbourne Roman Palace
Fishbourne Roman Palace is the largest Roman home in Britain. The palace dates back to AD 75, only about 30 years after the Romans conquered the island of Britain. However, the structure remains solid and remarkable.
Fishbourne Roman Palace is only 10 minutes from the city centre, so getting there is easy.
The original palace was hidden from the world for many years until it was excavated in the 1960s. Then, a modern shelter was built over the remains, which now allows you to see the palace’s corridors and hypocaust. There are also more than 20 outstanding mosaics, but the one you’ll be most impressed to see is the perfectly-detailed Roman mosaic of a dolphin.
4. Walk Through The Bishop’s Palace Gardens
You’ll find the Bishop’s Palace Gardens in the southwest corner of Chichester’s wall circuit. The gardens date back to 1146, when the cathedral was moved from Selsey to Chichester.
The area serves as the perfect location for a peaceful retreat. It is a great place to visit when you need to relax and enjoy nature.
The Bishop’s Palace Garden has an arboretum with over 100 exotic trees and an alpine garden. Take a walk through the wildlife garden and other areas where you can see the beautiful climbing roses and honeysuckle.
5. Visit The Pallant House Gallery
The Pallant House Gallery is an 8th-century Queen Anne-style townhouse that contains most of Water Hussey’s collection. Hussey was an English priest who was fond of collecting art, and he left a considerable portion of his collection to the city when he died in 1985.
Some of Hussey’s pieces that you’ll get to see in this gallery include the works of Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore. Pallant House Gallery also houses beautiful paintings by Fernand Léger, Paul Cézanne, Walter Sickert and other renowned names.
The Pallant House Gallery is free to visit for students and people under 18.
Additionally, you’ll find a trove of 18th-century porcelain from the prestigious Bow Porcelain Factory. There’s also a new courtyard garden at the back of the gallery where you can relax and catch some fresh air before leaving.
6. Walk Around Chichester Harbour
Chichester has one of the longest undeveloped parcels of coastline, running from its southwestern outskirts to the north of the Solent. Chichester Harbour is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty due to its exceptional landscape.
Chichester Harbour Conservancy, the organisation that manages Chichester Harbour, offers guided walks to help you explore the landscape and learn about its wildlife.
You’ll enjoy breathtaking coastal views as you walk along the edge of the harbour. Gaze at the shimmering waters or watch sailboats and yachts as they move gently over the water.
Check out things to do in Worthing.
7. Check Out Chichester Walls
Chichester has the most intact Roman walls in the south of England. Over three-quarters of the original structures crafted by the Romans more than 1,800 years ago remain standing.
The walls were erected in the 3rd century to protect the town against coastal raiders. Today, the structures have become a way to admire the city while taking a stroll.
Walk the 1.5-mile circuit to explore the walls using a leaflet guide that you can download online. If you prefer, you can pick up a hard copy of the guide from the Novium Museum.
8. Learn History In The Weald & Downland Living Museum
The Weald and Downland Living Museum is an open-air museum that promises a day of fun for you and your entire family. This excellent outdoor museum in the South Downs Park has more than 50 historic buildings from as early as 950 AD.
Both BBC and Amazon Prime have filmed movies at the Weald and Downland Living Museum.
These buildings tell the story of what it was like to live and work in rural South East England. The museum demonstrates various crafts and trades each day. You can visit the watermill, bakehouse and smithy to witness demonstrations of these crafts.
9. Explore Goodwood
Goodwood House is another great place to visit while exploring Chichester. This historical estate built in about 1,600 is popular for its horse racing course and motorsports, but there’s a lot more to enjoy for everyone. It is private but opens up for the public between March and October, so plan your visit accordingly.
Goodwood House also contains a rich collection of art that includes celebrated paintings by the famous artist of horse pictures George Stubbs and the Italian painter Canaletto. The estate also has two golf courses and a pitch for cricket.
10. Spend Time In The South Downs National Park
The South Downs is England’s newest national park, as it was designated only on 31 March 2010. This park spans an area of 628 sq mi (1,627 km2), running from Winchester in the west through West Sussex and East Sussex to Eastbourne.
South Downs National Park is a great place to enjoy natural beauty alone or with friends and family. Walk, cycle or ride on horseback across the hills to enjoy a calm and peaceful moment with nature in if not the best free activity around Chichester.
11. See West Dean Gardens
West Dean Gardens, located at the foothills of the South Downs in West Sussex, is one of Britain’s greatest restored gardens. The garden was first planted in the 17th century, and many of its chestnuts and planes are from the 19th century.
West Dean Gardens has a gift shop that sells beautiful gifts and plants.
There’s plenty for you to see here, including beautiful old trees, a sunken garden and a 2.5-mile circular arboretum walk. Also, look out for the giant pergola designed by Harold Peto, decorated with roses, clematis, lilies and other flowers.
12. Shop On North Street
Chichester has some of the best shopping malls in West Sussex, and most of them are located on North Street. North Street houses independent shops and malls with various items, including fashion accessories, homewares and speciality items.
North Street also has high-class boutiques where you can get clothing items and beauty shops that sell cosmetics and health products. If you have enough time, stop by some of the nearby restaurants and cafes to grab a bite to eat.
13. Explore The Novium Museum
The Novium is an award-winning museum built on the remains of a Roman bathhouse on Tower Street. Opened in 2012, it features three floors of exhibitions that tell the intriguing story of Chichester District and its residents.
Admission to the Novium Museum is free for all, but donations are welcome.
There are over 500,000 artefacts to explore in this museum. Some of them were recovered during the excavation of the Roman bathhouse, while others were found around the city. Some of the objects that you should look forward to seeing are the Chilgrove mosaic from the 4th century AD and the Jupiter Stone.
14. Take A Picnic In Priory Park
Opened in 1953, Priory Park gets its name from the Priory of St Sepulchre, a church built on the same site in the 12th century. The scenic walkways and picturesque pond are among the major attractions that make many people want to visit this park.
Priory Park is a great place to picnic with the family, with its serene environment and extensive playground for kids. The park also boasts four bowling greens, basketball and tennis courts, and it is home to Southend’s eye-catching bandstand, which hosts local musicians and bands on weekends.
15. Cycle The Salterns Way
Cyclists looking for some fun in Chichester can ride the Salterns Way. The Salterns Way is a 12-mile cycle route that runs from Chichester to East Head. The route has many signposts along the way to make it easy to find your way around.
The Salterns Way is a beautiful route, and it is flat all the way, which makes it suitable for all levels of cyclists. The road has no sharp bends, and cars usually don’t travel at a great speed to ensure pedestrians’ and cyclists’ safety.
Hire an MPV from SDVH and explore the best attractions in Chichester. We also offer economy vehicles for those looking to travel on a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Chichester Famous For?
Chichester is famous for its Roman heritage. The city was originally a Roman settlement, and you can still see the remains of a Roman wall and other ancient architecture today. Additionally, Chichester, West Sussex, is home to the Chichester Festival Theatre, one of the UK’s flagship theatres. The city also has other major attractions, such as Chichester Harbour and Chichester Cathedral.
What To Do In Chichester?
What you can do in Chichester is visit Chichester Cathedral, a magnificent church that dates back over 900 years. You can also spend some time in Chichester Harbour, which is a great place to walk or take pictures. Other attractions that you’re sure to enjoy in this city include the Novium Museum, Bishop’s Palace Garden and West Dean Gardens.
Is Chichester Expensive To Live?
Yes, Chichester is expensive to live in. In fact, a survey by Halifax Bank shows that it is the fifth most unaffordable city to live in the UK. The average cost of living in Chichester, West Sussex, is £1363, which is in the top 24% of the most expensive cities in the world. High housing and food costs are the major reasons for this city’s high living costs.
What To Eat In Chichester?
Eat local seafood in Chichester. Chichester is very close to the coast, which makes it easy to access freshwater fish and other sea animals. Additionally, Chichester has markets where you can buy fresh market produce to make meals. Also, consider exploring the pubs and restaurants to enjoy their interesting delicacies.
Where Is Chichester From London?
Chichester is southwest of London. The distance between Chichester, West Sussex, and London is 55 miles (89 km), and it takes an average of 1 hour and 52 minutes to travel by train. There are several trains that travel between the two locations daily. You can also travel to Chichester from London by car and arrive in 1 hour and 57 minutes.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many things to do in Chichester. The city has various types of attractions that promise entertainment and learning experiences for people of all ages. Chichester also has an excellent network of public transport that connects you to different areas of the city, allowing you to get around quickly.
