Chichester is a cathedral city in West Sussex, England. We recently found ourselves visiting Chichester as we were house sitting nearby. A delightful city, there is plenty to see and do in Chichester if you visit for a day or two. Here are ten splendid things to do in Chichester.
- Where is Chichester?
- Where else could you visit near Chichester?
- Why is Chichester worth visiting?
- Ten splendid things to do in Chichester
- One: Visit Chichester Cathedral
- Two: Visit the Novium
- Three: Walk the City Walls in Chichester
- Four: Visit West Dean Garden
- Five: Visit the independent stores
- Six: Enjoy some crafty food
- Seven: Take a trip to the beach
- Eight: Walk in the South Downs
- Nine: Visit a nearby vineyard
- Ten: Shop in the Northgate Market
Where is Chichester?
Chichester is in West Sussex in England. It is a short drive away from the coastal towns of West and East Wittering. You can find it on Google Maps here.
Where else could you visit near Chichester?
Chichester is in a great location in West Sussex near to the South Downs. There are many pretty places that you could visit near to Chichester if you had a couple of days. For example, Arundel, West Wittering, Midhurst and Petworth National Trust property. Goodwood estate is also nearby.
Why is Chichester worth visiting?
Chichester, referred to as “Chi” by the locals was originally founded by the Romans and was called ” Noviomagus Reginorum”.
Today, it is a popular tourist city and known for it’s history, beautiful buildings and vibrant art and food scene.
Ten splendid things to do in Chichester
One: Visit Chichester Cathedral
Chichester Cathedral is one of the main tourist attractions in the city. It is a beautiful building, currently undergoing some renovation work. It was built in the 11th century and is a superb example of Norman architecture. Interestingly, it was also built on the site of a Roman Temple.
The Cathedral is also an art lovers dream as it houses three important works of art. This includes a stained glass window by Marc Chagall, a painting by John Constable and a sculpture by Henry Moore.
You can visit from 09:00 to 17:00 Monday to Saturday or 12:00 to 14:00 on a Sunday. The entrance fee is donation based and they do accept card. As of May 2023, you can now also take your dog into the Cathedral should you wish to!
Two: Visit the Novium
The Novium is a museum in the center of Chichester. If you are interested in learning more about the history of the city and the area, then this is the place to go. With 500,000 artefacts, you could spend a few hours here.
Entrance is free, but there is an option to leave a donation. There’s a children’s discovery zone here too, so kids won’t feel left out.
Three: Walk the City Walls in Chichester
The city walls are 1.5 miles long and you are able to walk around them. They were originally build in Roman times to protect the city from siege and have been well maintained to this day. The walls offer a great insight into the history of the city and are free to explore. Look out for wonderful views of the city from atop the walls.
Four: Visit West Dean Garden
West Dean Garden is a delight for plant lovers. We visited in May, when the place was alight with wisteria and roses were in bloom. It is totally free to visit the garden and you can expect to spend around 30 minutes walking around and enjoying the garden. Picnics are also welcome, so feel free to spend longer!
Five: Visit the independent stores
For anyone who enjoys nosing around independent stores, Chichester has a lot to offer. Boo lovers will enjoy Kim’s Book shop, which is a delight as is St Olaves book store. For ladies clothing, Little London Boutique is a splendid place to browse and for chaps, Hansfords offers all you could need when it comes to the best of British hats and ties.
Six: Enjoy some crafty food
Chichester houses plenty of places for a unique and scrumptious bite to eat. One of the first places you’ll see when you get to the high street is the Sty in Chi. A beautiful little cafe with friendly service. Do stop here if you like a giant sausage roll (so large that two of us couldn’t eat it) or a sweet treat.
If you’re after a coffee with outdoor seating, look no further than Luckes. A cafe with perfectly placed chairs for people watching on North Street.
Seven: Take a trip to the beach
West Wittering beach is around 10 miles from Chichester. A blue flag beach with sandy dunes and clear water, it is popular with tourists as well as locals. There are plenty of places to eat and drink and enjoy a full day at the beach.
If you are staying in Chichester, we recommend taking the bus to West Wittering if you can. If you do want to drive, the parking charges near the beach are quite extravagant at £12 for the day.
Eight: Walk in the South Downs
The South Downs Way are a range of hills in the South, including in areas of West Sussex near to Chichester. There are many walks in the South Downs near to Chichester. If you want an active day out near to Chichester, check out this website for more information – Walking trails – South Downs National Park.
Nine: Visit a nearby vineyard
We are always on the look out for a vineyard wherever we travel. We were delighted to find Tinwood Estate, a vineyard just over 10 minutes from Chichester. Here you can take a long languid lunch, or enjoy a glass or two as you stop by. Vineyard tours and tastings are also available.
Ten: Shop in the Northgate Market
Like everything in Chichester, Northgate Market also has a history to it. An indoor market that was first founded in 1923, you can visit here on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 9am to 4pm. Fresh meat, fruit & veg, and hot and cold food is available on over 100 stalls. Great for food lovers!
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One response to “10 splendid things to do in Chichester”
[…] delight on the inside. Many travelling to West Sussex might make a beeline straight for nearby Chichester or the coastal town of West Wittering. Both are worth visiting, but if you want a more authentic […]