Chichester Cathedral Museums City Walls Ship Canal Planetarium West Sussex UK

Chichester Cathedral

Magnificent Chichester Cathedral has roots stretching back to 681AD and Saint Wilfrid's quest to bring Christianity to Sussex. Saint Wilfrid set up the first cathedral in Selsey but with the Norman demand to site cathedrals in large population centres all shifted to Chichester. One of Britain's great Norman cathedrals, although much added to over the centuries, Chichester Cathedral celebrated its 900th birthday in 2008. Building work began in 1076 and continued well into the 12th century with Bishop Ralph Luffa dedicating the building in 1108. Affected by fires during the 12th century, Chichester Cathedral saw numerous reconstructions and extensions.

In the 13th century chapels were added to the nave and today you'll note during a tour that these additional chapels give Chichester Cathedral a particularly wide architectural form. In the 12th century Chichester Cathedral became an important site for pilgrimage until the Reformation after the canonisation of Bishop Richard in 1262. Pilgrims came to visit St Richard's shrine at Chichester in the retro-choir until the shrine's destruction by Henry VIII in 1538. Particular highlights, of which there are many inside and outside the Cathedral, include the two stunning Romanesque Sculptures dating from the 12th century depicting Lazarus raised and Christ's arrival at Bethany. These are rare examples of pre-gothic sculpture and would have been originally coloured with jewelled eyes. Note too on the exterior the distinct separate 15th century bell tower - a unique feature to Chichester Cathedral.

Having seen centuries of neglect after the Reformation, Chichester Cathedral was renovated in earnest during the Victorian period from the 1840s by Dean Walter Farquar Hook. Unfortunately the spire collapsed during this restoration so the one you see today is Sir George Gilbert Scott's work. Back in the interior, many features stir the soul. Philip Larkin was particularly moved by the Arundel Tomb at Chichester - the medieval tomb of Richard FitzAlan, Earl of Arundel and his second wife Eleanor of Lancaster. The poem 'An Arundel Tomb' featured in Larkin's The Whitsun Weddings collection was inspired by it. The sculptor certainly captured something unique in this tomb, an expression of affection from a knight - unusual in the period, which depicts the medieval lord touching his wife's hand and rather friendly looking dogs at their feet. For more details on the history of Chichester Cathedral and the various artworks on display including a wide selection of modern art such as Marc Chagall's window, see the Cathedral's comprehensive webguide. Disabled access is excellent (details with map are via the website) and a wheelchair is on-site for free public use.

Chichester Cathedral, The Royal Chantry, Cathedral Cloisters, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 1PX. Tel. 01243 782595. Free guided tours are available Monday to Saturday (usually 2 per day) lasting around 45 minutes, with constant roving guide present. A cafe and Cloistsers Shop are also on-site. Numerous events and exhibitions take place throughout the year including Lunchtime Concerts and Talks. Exhibitions often feature acclaimed local artists and photographers.

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Chichester District Museum & History

Situated within a giant white 18th century historic corn store, Chichester District Museum is where to head to discover the many different period facets of Chichester's fascinating history. The museum has been located here at the corn mill since the early 1960s, but the extensive Chichester collections date back to the early 19th century. The museum's galleries cover the full range of historic topics including geology, archaeology and social history. The Discovery room is also on-site, and used for children's activities and events.

Collections, part of which are on display here and at the Guildhall and Fishbourne, are extensive. Chichester and the surrounding area has experienced numerous archaeological finds in recent times with on-going excavations, hence the collections have grown. Previous home to the museum, The Guildhall in Priory Park opens to the public on Saturdays during the Summer. The site is well worth a tour as in Priory Park Chichester's Norman motte and bailey castle once stood. The mound is still visible and the castle site here at Priory Park was later used by the Franciscans who had built a friary by 1282. The Friary Church later became the Town Hall and is the Guildhall today.

The Guildhall has served as a centre for Court Sessions and back in 1804 the poet and draughtsman Willian Blake would have appeared here after he was accused of sedition at Felpham's Fox Inn. Charges against Blake were dismissed, but the trial saw Blake moving back to London and leaving West Sussex for good.

Chichester District Museum, 29 Little London, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 1PB. Tel. 01243 784683. Admission is Free, open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5.30pm. Closed Monday, Sunday and Bank Holidays. Guildhall open from June to mid-September on Saturdays only from 12 noon to 4pm. By appointment at other times.

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Chichester City Walls Walk

Chichester's very shape is defined by its Roman walls although the walls that remain in the city today are medieval but built on Roman foundations. Stretching for around one and a half miles, Chichester's city walls are the most intact walls in the South East and are set to receive much archaeological and conservation attention in forthcoming years.

The ciy walls walk, taking in nearly 2000 years of Chichester history, is a gentle stroll of around an hour. The Chichester Walls surround much of Priory Park. Follow the walk through the Bishop's Palace Gardens around the outskirts of the city for stunning views of the cathedral. Priory Park makes for a good starting point.

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Chichester Ship Canal & the South Downs Planetarium

The Chichester Ship Canal from the basin in Chichester City centre to Salterns Lock beside Chichester Marina is a favourite spot in Chichester. A wide choice of activities are available including canal boat trips, rowing boat hire, canoeing, angling and walking. The canal towpath is 4km long and perfect for walking, running or cycling.

Canal boat trips are extremely popular on this historic canal which once formed part of the old inland route from London to Portsmouth. The canal was formally a section of the Portsmouth & Arundel Canal which first opened in 1823. A full history of the canal is available via the website. Canal boat trips are incredibly popular and the canal is being restored to become navigable from the Chichester Basin to the mouth of Chichester Harbour. A round trip to Donnington Bridge takes around 75 minutes on the 12 seater narrowboat Egremont. Scheduled trips run daily from early April to early November and charters are available throughout the year. A canal shop and a cafe are located at the basin.

Chichester Ship Canal, Canal Basin, Canal Wharf, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 8DT. Tel. 01243 771363. Find the Chichester Canal Basin just a short walk from the city centre down South Street (see map via the canal's webguide right). From Chichester bus station and railway station the canal basin is a mere 1 minute stroll. Limited parking is adjacent to the basin.

The South Downs Planetarium and Science Centre, Sir Patrick Moore Building, Kingsham Farm, Kingsham Road, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 8RP. Tel. 01243 774400, Ticket hotline tel. 07818 297292. Situated just off the A27 Chichester by-pass. See the planetarium's webguide right for forthcoming shows.

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