Explore the streets of a city surrounding a 900-year-old cathedral, enjoy retail therapy and take a trip to the theatre with a group visit to the West Sussex city of Chichester.
Home to around 124,000 people, Chichester is the only city in West Sussex and its county town. It is built on history and previously a Roman and Anglo-Saxon settlement - the walls of Cathedral can be traced back hundreds of years.
Groups can visit Chichester by coach or train, with easy links to London, Southampton, Brighton and Portsmouth.
Here’s what you could pack into your visit…
10am: arrive at Chichester Cathedral (coaches can drop off just outside). Before you begin exploring, you might like to refresh with a coffee stop at Cloisters Kitchen & Garden before joining a guided tour.
Guided tours allow you to step into iconic moments of English history, from the Roman market city of Chichester, to the Civil War and siege of the city. Medieval stone carvings sit alongside world famous contemporary works of art in this iconic cathedral.
Groups of six or more people are asked to book guided tours in advance, and you will be able to tailor them to suit your interests.
You might also like to explore behind the scenes, discovering areas of the cathedral which are not normally open to the public; namely the Song School, dating from the early 1500s, the Cathedral Library, and the 13th century Bishop’s Chapel, the private chapel of the Bishop of Chichester.
2025 sees the cathedral mark 950 years, so you will find there is a wealth of stories to uncover, including a special exhibition of treasures gathered from parish churches across Sussex.
After your tour, you will be wanting something to eat. If you are dining as a group, walk towards the market cross, marking the centre of Chichester’s main shopping streets, before heading north on North Street to Purchases, which welcomes groups (prior booking required).
Alternatively, Boston Tea Party caters for large groups and offers a range of brunch and lunch options, from all day breakfasts to toasties to fuel your afternoon explorations. If you planning to split up for lunch there are plenty of independents cafés, pubs and restaurants in Chichester to choose from here.
2pm: Now it’s time for a little retail therapy and being a flat and compact city, Chichester is an ideal place for this. Explore Chichester’s pretty shopping streets, lined with Georgian buildings. Be sure to divert along the side alleys where interesting independent stores are located.
If you want to see some contemporary art, at the Pallant House Gallery there is a beautiful Queen Anne building with an award-winning extension which is an interesting way to spend an hour, or more. Alternatively you could visit The Novium Museum, the museum of Chichester, which features the remains of a Roman bathhouse and is located very close to the Cathedral.
You can see more of Chichester’s Roman remains as you walk the city walls. Some of the most intact walls in the country, you can enjoy an elevated view of the city from here. The Bishops Palace Gardens, tucked away in a secluded spot beside the cathedral is a tranquil garden where you can capture excellent views while admiring the planting.
4pm: Indulge in that English classic, afternoon tea at The Ship at Chichester Harbour Hotel. In this stunning setting, enjoy savoury and sweet treats, with scones of course.
Evening: It seems a shame to come to Chichester and not experience the wonderful Festival Theatre. From gripping drama to side-splitting comedy and crowd-pleasing musicals, there is a show for everyone.
Extend your stay
Stay: The Millstream Hotel is located in the picturesque village of Bosham on the shores of Chichester Harbour. Choose from the Sea School or Marwick’s Brasserie for an evening meal showcasing locally sourced produce. Crouchers Hotel also offers a welcoming overnight stay, only three miles from Chichester with rooms located in a converted coach house, barn and stable with a modern oak-beamed restaurant and adjoining bar.
Day two: Just a short distance away you can take the serene and fascinating Chichester Harbour Tour aboard a near silent solar powered catamaran operated by Chichester Harbour Conservancy. The tours showcase the harbour’s abundance of nature and bird life, and you might even spot a seal or two. It is a great way to experience the beauty of this National Landscape (the new name for AONBs).
On your way home, why not stop off at Fishbourne Roman Palace and see some of the best preserved mosaics in the UK. There is plenty of coach parking and an on-site cafe for coffee, lunch or a cup of tea.
For more ideas and inspiration in Chichester, head to www.thegreatsussexway.org.
