Top 15 Must-See Attractions in Chichester, West Sussex

Chichester, a charming and historically significant city on the West Sussex coast, has a rich history that dates back to Roman times.

This city center retains the grid layout established by the Romans and is partially protected by original Roman walls.

Chichester is compact and has remained largely unaffected by industrialization, allowing the entire population to be accommodated within its Cathedral for centuries.

The Cathedral itself is a magnificent structure, preserving much of its Norman architecture and showcasing remarkable Medieval art through tomb effigies, wall reliefs, and misericords.

In the northern vicinity lies the South Downs National Park, while the city’s natural harbor was historically inhabited by Romans and Anglo-Saxons.

Explore the top attractions in Chichester:

1. Chichester Cathedral

Featuring a compelling blend of Norman Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles, Chichester Cathedral commenced construction in 1075 and was consecrated in 1108. Its design incorporates unusual twin aisles and a campanile, setting it apart from other English cathedrals.

Identifiable original components feature Romanesque semi-circular window openings and arches throughout the nave, crossing, transept, and choir bays.

The Cathedral houses remarkable Medieval artistry, including two rare 12th-century reliefs that narrate the story of Lazarus located in the south nave aisle, alongside 38 misericords from 1330 in the choir. Also noteworthy is the recumbent effigy of Richard FitzAlan, the 10th Earl of Arundel, which inspired Philip Larkin’s poem “An Arundel Tomb”. The composer Gustav Holst is interred here as well.

2. Pallant House Gallery

Upon the passing of priest and art collector Water Hussey in 1985, he entrusted his extensive art collection to the city, stipulating its display at Pallant House, a beautifully preserved 18th-century Queen Anne-style townhouse.

A modern wing added in the 2000s, financed by the Heritage Lottery Fund, has expanded the gallery’s offerings.

The collection, predominantly featuring 20th-century art, includes works by renowned artists such as Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, Graham Sutherland, and John Piper, enhanced by pieces from Fernand Léger, Paul Cézanne, André Derain, Lucian Freud, Walter Sickert, and Eduardo Paolozzi.

Additionally, the gallery boasts a selection of 18th-century porcelain from the prestigious, albeit brief, Bow factory.

Pallant House Gallery is distinguished for its temporary exhibitions; for instance, a summer 2018 exhibition showcased art inspired by Virginia Woolf’s writings.

3. Fishbourne Roman Palace

Located on Chichester’s southwestern periphery, the Fishbourne Roman Palace represents the largest Roman residence discovered in the UK.

This historical site, dating to AD 75, emerged just three decades after the Roman Conquest of Britain.

Unearthed during excavations in the 1960s, the palace revealed a footprint similar to that of Nero’s Golden House in Rome.

A modern shelter now safeguards the remains, including raised walkways that allow for viewing of the palace’s corridors, hypocaust heating systems, and over 20 exquisite mosaics, with the Dolphin Mosaic being a particular highlight.

Reconstructed formal courtyard gardens, based on archaeological findings, feature intricate boxwood hedges and espalier trees.

4. Weald & Downland Living Museum

Set within the South Downs National Park, this exceptional outdoor museum comprises over 50 historic structures across 40 acres.

These buildings, hailing from Kent, Surrey, Hampshire, and Sussex, were initially slated for demolition before being carefully dismantled and relocated to this site.

The site includes timber-framed cottages, a market hall, barns, granaries, farmhouses, stables, a watermill, and a 19th-century school.

These structures collectively illustrate rural life over a millennium and host demonstrations and interactive activities such as spinning, weaving, and Tudor-style cooking.

Seasonal events are organized by the museum, including a traditional charcoal burn, autumn harvests, a working animals exhibition in summer, and a bonfire celebration on Guy Fawkes Day in November.

5. Bishop’s Palace Garden

Situated in the southwest corner of Chichester’s wall circuit, this picturesque garden is maintained by the Chichester District Council but is not officially listed.

Access is via the Bishop’s Palace Cannon Gate on Canon Lane, where visitors can admire meticulously arranged formal flowerbeds juxtaposed against the historical backdrop of the ancient walls.

The garden hosts approximately 100 exotic and rare trees, along with an Alpine garden, a wildlife garden, and a rose pergola adorned with clematis, honeysuckle, and climbing roses.

6. Chichester Walls

Chichester boasts the most well-preserved Roman city walls in the United Kingdom.

Astonishingly, over seventy-five percent of the original structure has survived beyond 1,800 years since its construction.

The Anglo-Saxons contributed to this preservation after Alfred the Great established Chichester as a burh (fortified town) in the 9th century.

After their last military use during the English Civil War, the walls transformed into a pathway for enjoying the city views via leisurely walks along the earthwork ramparts.

The 1.5-mile circuit can be traversed with the aid of a leaflet that is downloadable or available at the Novium museum.

7. Goodwood House

Serving as the residence of the Dukes of Richmond, Goodwood House was initially established at the beginning of the 17th century and subsequently expanded by prominent figures in 18th-century English architecture, including Matthew Brettingham and James Wyatt.

Although the estate remains private, tours are facilitated from March to October.

Visitors should not miss the opportunity to explore Goodwood House, which houses a substantial art collection initiated by the 1st Duke of Richmond and Lennox, the son of Charles II and his French mistress, Louise de Keroualle.

This collection comprises Sèvres porcelain, Gobelins tapestries, Canaletto’s inaugural London commissions, and exquisite 18th-century French furniture.

The Egyptian dining room, characterized by its lavish scagliola walls, is particularly noteworthy.

Conclude a stately day with afternoon tea in the splendid setting of Goodwood’s ballroom.

8. Chichester Festival Theatre

A prominent venue for high-caliber productions and a cornerstone of the community, the Chichester Festival Theatre opened in 1962. Its inaugural artistic director, Laurence Olivier, established a company that later merged with the Old Vic in London, forming what is now the National Theatre Company.

This aspect alone underscores the Chichester Festival Theatre’s significant heritage.

The festival itself runs from April to September, showcasing home-produced plays—both classic and contemporary—along with musicals and other performances.

Moreover, a diverse array of supplementary events occurs during the festival season, including performances at the smaller Minerva Theatre, dance workshops, cabarets, and discussions.

9. Novium

This award-winning modern museum, constructed over Chichester’s Roman baths, opened in 2012. The baths were uncovered on Tower Street during the development of a car park in the 1960s.

Home to a vast repository of artefacts—hundreds of thousands recovered from this and other excavations around the Roman city—the Novium makes the baths accessible on its ground floor, where visitors can view a film that explains their construction and significance in Roman society.

Items excavated from Chichester include the Chilgrove mosaic from the 4th century AD, the Jupiter Stone, a remarkable piece from the 3rd century, numerous coins, and the Bosham Head, a fragment of the largest Roman statue uncovered in Britain, weighing 170kg.

10. Chichester Cross

At the junction of two Roman streets in Chichester’s pedestrian-friendly old center stands the Chichester Cross, a striking Perpendicular Gothic structure.

This monument likely dates from the late 15th century and served as both a gathering place and a market venue until the early 1800s.

Constructed from Caen stone, the octagonal cross features Gothic pointed arches with blind tracery, decorated pinnacles with crockets, and a lantern topped with a finial.

11. Priory Park

Located in the northeastern section of the Roman city, Priory Park boasts a rich history.

Visitors can explore the remains of the Roman Walls that encompass much of the park and ascend the motte (earthwork mound) of the Norman Chichester castle, constructed at the close of the 11th century and dismantled by Henry III during the First Barons’ War in the 13th century.

Among the enduring structures is the Grade I-listed Guildhall, erected in 1282 and currently available for weddings.

Should time allow, one can relax in the park while observing a summer cricket match and attempting to decipher the rules!

12. CASS Sculpture Foundation

Located in idyllic woodland within the historic Goodwood Estate, the Cass Sculpture Foundation features an outdoor gallery displaying around 80 large-scale sculptures.

These sculptures are strategically placed in gardens, clearings, and deep within the forest, which bursts into bluebell bloom every spring.

Visitors are welcome from March to November to admire these works, all of which are available for purchase, leading to an ever-evolving exhibition.

Renowned artists such as Tony Cragg, Kiki Smith, Marc Quinn, Rachel Whitehead, and Andy Goldsworthy have contributed works commissioned by the foundation.

In addition to the outdoor displays, the CASS grounds feature two indoor galleries and host a variety of talks, guided tours, and workshops for both adults and children.

13. West Dean Gardens

Nestled in the foothills of the South Downs, West Dean Gardens presents a stunning mosaic of horticultural displays.

Originally established in the 17th century, the gardens feature many chestnuts, cedars, and planes that date back to the early 19th century when the adjacent manor house was redesigned by James Wyatt in a Gothic Revival style.

Currently occupied by West Dean College, a premier conservation institution, the gardens have been thoughtfully replanted following the devastating storm of October 1987. Among their features are a kitchen garden, a 100-meter Edwardian pergola, a sunken garden, a 50-acre arboretum, charming Victorian glasshouses, a succulent spring garden, and a restaurant with a gift shop.

14. Chichester Harbour

Located in Chichester’s southwestern outskirts, this expanse is among the largest undeveloped stretches of coastline in Southern England.

The intricate network of creeks within Chichester Harbour offers outstanding sailing opportunities, while picturesque villages such as Bosham and West Itchenor feature boatyards, slipways, and numerous yachts anchored offshore.

As an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Chichester Harbour attracts various waders and wildfowl, including curlews, egrets, oystercatchers, and ringed plovers during the winter months.

The charming village of Bosham, dating back to Roman times, holds significant historical importance, having been referenced by the Anglo-Saxon chronicler Bede and even in the Bayeux Tapestry.

The Holy Trinity Church maintains much of its Anglo-Saxon architecture, combined with some Norman enhancements.

15. Tangmere Military Aviation Museum

Situated in two hangars at the former RAF Tangmere, this museum showcases an extensive array of aircraft, predominantly jet fighters and bombers from the Cold War era when British manufacturers like Hawker and Gloster thrived.

A highlight of the collection is the Hawker Hunter that Neville Duke piloted to break the world airspeed record, reaching 727.63 mph in 1953. Within the hangars and outdoors, visitors can view two Harrier jump jets, a Supermarine Swift, two Gloster Meteors, and a de Havilland Sea Vixen.

The museum also features numerous cockpits from various aircraft, as well as flight simulators and Rolls-Royce engines.