Chichester Accommodation

Chichester Cathedral
Market Cross, Chichester Centre
Stained Glass windows within Chichester Cathedral
Roman mosaic floors at Fishbourne Roman Palace
Minerva Studio Theatre & Chichester Festival Theatre
Inside Chichester Cathedral

Chichester Tourist Information Festival Theatre Cathedral Art West Sussex UK

The Chichester district of West Sussex with main city centre Chichester pushes up from the coastal plains of the Witterings and Selsey into the charming villages and rolling downland of the South Downs. This incredibly rural area of West Sussex is one of the most rich in the country for archaeological sites, particularly Roman, and contains a huge number of historic houses, picturesque historic market towns and villages and award winning museums and art galleries. More Listed heritage buildings are in this rural region than almost any other rural area in Britain. This fact then makes Chichester and its surrounding area a hotspot for tourist vistors and holidays. The city of Chichester was one of the earliest centres constructed by the Romans and numerous evidence in both the city and surrounding area serves as a reminder of this heritage. Some of Chichester's Roman Walls still surround the city and Fishbourne Roman Palace on the city's outskirts is the finest Roman domestic building to be unearthed in Britain, with over 20 fine examples of Roman mosaic floors.

Chichester has thrived through many historic periods. Chichester Cathedral dates from the Norman period whilst the central Tudor Cross Meeting point marks the spot where Chichester's medieval market was once held. Chichester is a contemporary international centre for the arts boasting the acclaimed Chichester Festival Theatre and Minerva Theatre plus the outstanding Pallant House Art Gallery, a hotspot in the South for modern 20th century art. The popular stunning surfing beaches of East and West Wittering are just a short drive from the city as is seaside favourite pretty Selsey and the nature reserve at Pagham Harbour. Two of Britain's best known Racecourses are also within easy reach of Chichester - Goodwood and Fontwell, as are historic sites Petworth House and Uppark, Bignor Roman Villa and the Weald & Downland Museum at Singleton.

Featured Sussex Accommodation

Findon Manor Hotel - Findon

Beautiful English Country Manor Hotel with multi-award winning restaurant. Luxury en-suite rooms with 4 poster & jacuzzis. On edge of South Downs np.

£30 to £77 Per person B&B (2 sharing)

Chichester Tourist Information & History

Chichester is one of Britain's great ancient cities. One of the early cities established by the Romans after their invasion in 43AD, Chichester's Roman Walls remain and on the outskirts of the town Fishbourne Roman Palace stands as the largest domestic Roman building uncovered in the UK. The most complete and intricate Roman mosaic floors await at Fishbourne, a historic attraction not to be missed on any visit to Chichester.

Marks of the city's continuing importance through the Medieval and Georgian periods are numerous too. The central Tudor Market Cross near the cathedral dating from 1501 signifies the original Chichester Market spot and today serves as central hub and resting place for shoppers. Chichester centre is largely pedestrianised and feels like the traditional historic market town it is. Award winning independent and specialist shops abound. The city's historic Norman cathedral with unique detached Bell Tower and tall spire visible from miles around offers free guided tours and excellent disabled access.

Add to this an extensive programme of year round Festivals including the famous June/July Chichester Festivities Festival hosted primarily by the internationally acclaimed Chichester Festival Theatre and smaller adjacent Minerva Studio Theatre. The very design of the now Grade 2 listed Chichester Festival Theatre built in 1960/61 nods to the city's Roman heritage. The outstanding and unique thrust stage opens to the audience on three sides, much like the ancient Greek and Roman performance arenas.

Art lovers won't want to miss Chichester's award winning Pallant House Art Gallery. Recently refurbished and containing one of the country's best collections of 20th century modern art, you can expect to see work here by Peter Blake, Colin Self, Walter Sickert, acclaimed draughtsman Richard Hamilton and Lucian Freud among others. Friendly and set within a Grade 1 listed Queen Anne town house, the Pallant is a UK centre for British 20th century art whilst also holding important work by international artists (Cezanne, Salvador Dali and Picasso all feature) and historic collections which include Reynolds, Hogarth and Romney as well as paintings by the Smith brothers of Chichester.

Chichester Transport & Tourist Information Centre

Direct train services operate from Gatwick Airport to Chichester (see Southern's webguide right for timetables). Stagecoach buses operate an extensive Chichester network bus service and main port city Portsmouth and Southampton Airport and ferry services are within easy driving distance.

Chichester Tourist Information Centre, 29a South Street, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 1AH. Tel. 01243 775888. Guided walks are available around Chichester for groups all year round - book via Chichester Tourist Information Centre. Alternatively for individuals join the organised walk from May to September every Saturday commencing at 14.30 and on Tuesdays at 11am departing from the Tourist Information centre. Walks are supervised by trained Blue Badge Guides