Chichester still has its city walls, which are among the best preserved Roman walls in southern England – more than 80 per cent of the original structure is intact. In the city centre, at the intersection of its four main streets, stands Chichester Cross, the ornate stone market cross thought to date from the start of the 16th century.
Book one of our Chichester hotels and explore a city both filled with contemporary restaurants, cafes and shops, and steeped in history and culture.
Chichester Cathedral
Chichester's Norman Cathedral was consecrated in 1108, but alterations and additions over the years including its Victorian spire, mean it is a wonderful mix of architectural styles. The cathedral is famous for its impressive collection of art - it has 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 there are free guided tours every day except Sunday.
Parks
Close to the cathedral, and bordered by the city walls, are the beautiful Bishop's Palace Gardens. You can admire climbing roses, clematis and 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 centre are the Victorian Jubilee Gardens, filled with trees and colourful flowers, and Priory Park. Here you'll find the remains of the Norman castle and the Guildhall, which is actually a 13th-century church, although it has been used by local government over the centuries. The park is often used for community events and has 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 built on the site of the original baths themselves. Its collection of more than 150,000 objects tells the story of the city's history, and includes Roman artefacts, historical photographs, prehistoric tools and even a mammoth's shoulder blade. Art lovers should head to the award-winning Pallant House Gallery, home to one of the country's best collections of 20th-century British art. There are 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, whose collection of modern British art includes sculptures, paintings, wall hangings, drawings, ceramics and more.
Eating and drinking
The family-owned Amelie and Friends, in a Georgian building in the city centre, has been awarded a Bib Gourmand by Michelin – yet the home-cooked food is reassuringly unpretentious. There are good vegetarian and vegan options, and on a fine day you can sit out amid the olive trees in the walled garden. For something more exotic, head to 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 head to The Four Chesnuts for more real ales and live music.
