Chichester is a cathedral city in West Sussex, within the historic County of Sussex, South-East England. It holds a Roman past and importance in Anglo-Saxon times. It is the seat of a bishopric, with a 12th century cathedral, and is home to some of the oldest churches and buildings in Great Britain. Chichester is also a transport hub, and the centre for culture in the region with the Festival Theatre and two art galleries. 

 

 

Petworth House is open to the public and has a landscaped deer park with a world famous art collection. Cowdray is one of Southern England's early Tudor courtier's houses though partially destroyed by fire in 1793, its ruins are set in the landscaped grounds of Cowdray Park. Uppark House and Gardens hold late- Georgian interiors Victorian servants' rooms and tunnels and large gardens to explore.

 

Weald & Downland Open Air Museum has over fifty historic buildings that have been refurbished and re developed. The buildings reflect the homes, farms and workplaces of the people who lived in the south east, and span 600 years. Many buildings are furnished and have period gardens. Including the working 17th century watermill and Tudor kitchen.

 

 

Chichester Ship Canal - The canal, restored and maintained by volunteers, offers boat trips, refreshments, rowing, fishing, canoeing and walking. It runs 4.5 miles from the Southgate basin in the heart of Chichester to the Chichester Harbour at Birdham. This tranquil haven starts within easy walking distance from the railway station, bus terminus and city centre.

 

 

By Road

 

The A27 connects Chichester to the M27. Three roads give Chichester access to the north, the A29 from London, the A285 and the A286.

 

By Coach and Bus

 

Stagecoach South bus company has its headquarters in Chichester and are the local operators.

 

By Rail

 

Chichester railway station has regular services to Brighton, London Victoria via Gatwick Airport, Portsmouth and Southampton.

 

By Air

 

The nearest airports are Southampton airport and London Gatwick airport which are both under 35 miles away from Chichester.

In 43 AD the Romans invaded Britain and about 44 AD they built a fort on the site of Chichester. The king of the local Celtic tribe, Cogidnubus, co-operated with the Romans rather than resist them. After the Romans had left the fort Codignubus decided to take it over and make it into a town. In the 4th century Chichester declined along with the rest of Roman Britain.

 

In the late 9th century Alfred the Great created a network of fortified places across his kingdom where men could gather when the Danes attacked including Chichester. In 894 the Danes landed in West Sussex but men from Chichester and the surrounding area went out to meet them and won. Chichester was also a flourishing town with a weekly market. 

 

The Normans built a motte and bailey castle in Chichester in what is now Priory Park. In the Middle Ages Chichester was one of England's most important ports. However during the 16th century Chichester declined in importance. In 1642 came civil war and the town's loyalties were divided. Then the local landowners, the gentry sent a force of 600 men, 200 cavalry and 400 infantry rode into Chichester and took it for the king. Parliament quickly sent an army to besiege the town. Chichester surrendered and remained in parliamentary hands for the rest of the war.

 

During the Second World War there were 3 bombing raids on Chichester.