Visit Chichester Places

Welcome to Visit Chichester Places
The Walkfo guide to things to do & explore in Chichester

  

Chichester Places Overview: History, Culture & Facts about Chichester

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Chichester history

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Roman period

There is no recorded evidence that the city that became Chichester was a settlement of any size before the coming of the Romans. The city centre stands on the foundations of the Romano-British city of Noviomagus Reginorum. The original Roman city wall was over 6+1/2 feet (2.0 m) thick with a steep ditch.

Anglo-Saxon period

The most probable source of Chichester’s name is from Cissa. It was the chief city of the Kingdom of Sussex. The cathedral for the South Saxons was founded in 681 at Selsey; the seat of the bishopric was moved in 1075. The city was one of the burhs established by Alfred the Great.

Norman period

When the Domesday Book was compiled, Cicestre (Chichester) consisted of 300 dwellings which held a population of 1,500 people. After the Battle of Hastings the township of Chichester was handed to Roger de Mongomerie, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury, for courageous efforts in the battle, but it was forfeited in 1104 by the 3rd Earl. In around 1143 the title Earl of Arundel created and became the dominant local landowner.

Medieval period

At Christmas 1642 during the First English Civil War, the city was besieged and St Pancras church was destroyed by gunfire. A military presence was established in the city in 1795 with the construction of a depot on land where the Hawkhurst Gang had been hanged. The military presence had ceased by 2014 and the site was being developed for housing.

World War II to present

Chichester was bombed by the Luftwaffe during World War II, but fared relatively well compared to larger English cities. On 11 May 1944, a United States Air Force B-24 Liberator Bomber crashed in the city killing three, injuring 38, and damaging hundreds of local buildings.

Chichester culture & places

The city holds an annual four-week arts and music festival in June and July. Chichester Cinema at New Park is the city’s first and only arthouse cinema. Pallant House Gallery has a major collection of chiefly modern British art and in 2006 opened a new extension that houses the collection of Sir Colin St John Wilson.

Music

The Chichester RAJF (From “Real Ale and Jazz Festival”), was a four-day festival of music and real ale held each July in tents beside the 13th century Guildhall in Priory Park. Founded in 1980, the festival’s early years focused on traditional jazz and featured performers such as Kenny Ball and Humphrey Lyttelton.

Chichester landmarks

The Butter Market in Chichester Cross was built in 1501 as a covered marketplace. Corn Exchange on East Street was one of the first in the country built in 1833. The Corn Exchange was used for drama and entertainment and became a cinema from the 1910s. An attempt to convert it to a bingo hall was refused in 1977.

Chichester geography / climate

The City of Chichester is located on the River Lavant south of its gap through the South Downs. The city’s site made it an ideal place for settlement, with many ancient routeways converging here. The oldest section lies within the medieval walls of the city, built on Roman foundations.

Climate

With its position in southern England, Chichester has mild winters and cool summers. West Sussex has high sunshine levels compared with other parts of the UK with around 1,900 hours annually.

You can visit Chichester places with Walkfo Chichester to hear history at Chichester’s places whilst walking around using the free digital tour app. Walkfo Chichester has 66 places to visit in our interactive Chichester map, with amazing history, culture & travel facts you can explore the same way you would at a museum or art gallery with information audio headset. With Walkfo, you can travel by foot, bike or bus throughout Chichester, being in the moment, without digital distraction or limits to a specific walking route. Our historic audio walks, National Trust interactive audio experiences, digital tour guides for English Heritage locations are available at Chichester places, with a AI tour guide to help you get the best from a visit to Chichester & the surrounding areas.

“Curated content for millions of locations across the UK, with 66 audio facts unique to Chichester places in an interactive Chichester map you can explore.”

Walkfo: Visit Chichester Places Map
66 tourist, history, culture & geography spots

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Chichester historic spots	Chichester tourist destinations	Chichester plaques	Chichester geographic features
Walkfo Chichester tourism map key: places to see & visit like National Trust sites, Blue Plaques, English Heritage locations & top tourist destinations in Chichester

  

Best Chichester places to visit

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Chichester has places to explore by foot, bike or bus. Below are a selection of the varied Chichester’s destinations you can visit with additional content available at the Walkfo Chichester’s information audio spots:

Edes House Edes House is mansion in Chichester, West Sussex. It was the headquarters of West Sussex County Council from 1916 to 1936. It is Grade I listed building.

County Hall, Chichester County Hall is a municipal facility at West Street in Chichester, West Sussex. It is the headquarters of West Sussex County Council. The council is based in West Sussex, with the majority of residents living in the area.

The Novium The Novium is a museum in Chichester, West Sussex, southern England. The name comes from the Roman name for the city, Noviomagus Reginorum. The museum has over 350,000 objects of geological, archaeological and social historic interest.

Chichester District Chichester is a local government district in West Sussex. Its council is based in the city of Chichester. The district also covers a large rural area to the north.

Siege of Chichester The siege of Chichester was one of the key events in the First English Civil War by Colonel William Waller to secure southern England and declare it for Parliament. The siege lasted five days and ended with surrender by the Royalists.

Council House, Chichester The Council House is a municipal building in North Street, Chichester, West Sussex. It is a Grade II* listed building. It was built in the 1950s and 1960s.

Priory Park, Chichester Priory Park is a public park in Chichester, West Sussex, England. It is situated in the north-east quadrant of the city centre. The park has a rich heritage and is bordered by the medieval city walls.

Minerva Theatre, Chichester The Minerva Theatre is a studio theatre seating, at full capacity, 310. It is run as part of the adjacent Chichester Festival Theatre. The current artistic director is Daniel Evans.

Chichester City F.C. Chichester City Football Club is a semi-professional football club. Affiliated to the Sussex County Football Association. They are currently members of the Isthmian League South East Division.

Chichester City L.F.C. Chichester City Ladies and Girls Football Club are a women’s football club. Affiliated with Chichester City F.C., they are currently members of the FA Women’s National League South.

Visit Chichester plaques