Chichester
To the north lies the rolling countryside of the South Downs and to the south the sunny coast with some of Britain’s favourite seaside resorts - Chichester is a Roman city bursting with culture and a wealth of history.
Chichester may be small, but it’s perfectly formed. Maintaining the grid layout designed by the Romans nearly 2000 years ago its Norman cathedral dominates the skyline of this southern city.
With Southern trains getting to Chichester for a day out exploring the historic sights and hitting the shops is easy. Situated around 90 minutes from London Victoria, you can enjoy Chichester days out without worrying about where to park the car or when to leave in order to avoid rush hour traffic.
The Market Cross erected in 1501 stands proud where two Roman streets converge and is surrounded by historical buildings as well as modern high streets shops and independent stores. With so many things to do in Chichester you’ll want to start planning your visit as soon as possible.
Getting to Chichester
Take the hassle out of city driving by getting the train with Southern. Enjoy the leisurely 10 minute stroll into the town from Chichester station and start exploring the city.
And getting to Chichester doesn’t have to prove costly either - take advantage of our money saving tickets. Explore our Railcard options and start enjoying reduced rates on rail travel or travel Off-Peak and avoid the commuter rush whilst saving a pretty penny. If you’re travelling to Chichester for a specific date, take advantage of our Advanced tickets and you could make mega savings - you can even bag yourself a First Class ticket from £17.
Things to do in Chichester
Chichester days out can be packed with exploration, tempered by long lazy lunches and gentle meandering open green spaces.
Welcoming people for over nine centuries, the Norman Chichester Cathedral in the heart of the city is open to all. The only English cathedral with a surviving detached medieval bell tower, it dates from around 1400 and stands next to the entrance. Visitors can explore the cathedral and wander down the twin aisles to marvel at the outstanding pieces of medieval craftsmanship.
In the southwest corner of the cathedral, the Bishop’s Palace Garden is a must see. The arboretum is home to some 100 exotic and rare trees, and the wildlife garden is the perfect spot to take a seat and admire the clematis, honeysuckle and climbing roses.
Carry on exploring the history of Chichester and walk the 1.5-mile circuit of the Roman walls while admiring the city from the ramparts. Visit the Novium Museum to discover more about Roman Chichester and how they shaped the city you can see today. The award-winning museum was constructed over the city’s Roman baths and is now home to hundreds of thousands of artefacts unearthed around Chichester.
Priory Park is a great place for families to enjoy an afternoon outdoors. Much of the park is enclosed by the Roman walls and summer days see local cricket teams enjoy a match, as well as the prerequisite tea and sandwiches! It’s easy for Chichester days out to be spent exploring the historic sites, but don’t forget to visit any one of the independent cafes, bars and restaurants and enjoy some fantastic local fare.
Getting to Chichester is easy, it’s deciding how long to stay that’s hard - but booking your tickets is a start!