Things To See and Do When You Visit Chichester

The Cathedral city of Chichester is located in West Sussex in England and has been a settlement for the Roman's. But it did not become an important settlement until Anglo Saxon times. When you stay in Chichester there are lots of things to do and see.

No visit to Chichester will be complete without time spent at its Cathedral. It dates back to 1088, just after the Domesday Book was compiled and work continued on it for many centuries after that. In fact it is thought that work on the Cathedral was carried right on through to the fifteenth Century and because of this it has both Romanesque and Gothic styling. The Belfry you see today was built in 1866 to replace the one that collapsed in 1861 and which was built in the early fifteenth Century. 

Another place of interest to visit is Fishbourne Roman Palace where you can learn more about life in this part of England during the time when Roman's occupied the area. The visible palace foundations were excavated in the 1960's and were originally owned by the Celtic tribal chief Cogidubnus, an ally of the Romans. The palace features numerous Roman pavements, showing off the various different mosaic techniques used by the Roman craftsmen. 

For the boys then a visit to Tangmere Military Aviation Museum is a must. Here they will be able to learn more about the history of military aviation cover a period of 70 years. There are special exhibits at the museum that are dedicated to the Royal Air Force and how they waged war with the Germans over Southern England during the Second World War. The museum has a replica Spitfire and a Hurricane and Swift Jet as well as a Hunter and a Meteor.

Then a short drive from Chichester is Goodwood House which is home to the Dukes of Richmond for more than 300 years. Although the house is only open for the public sixty days a year when it is one has the chance to explore the Regency State Apartments where there are some wonderful treasures to be enjoyed. The house also has paintings by George Stubbs and Canaletto together with some fine French Tapestries, furniture and porcelain as well. 

If you would like to discover what life has been like for people living in this part of England during the last five hundred years or so then a visit to Weald and Downland Open Air Museum should be considered. The museum is located inside fifty acres of the South Downs and has over forty five historic farms, homes and workplaces to explore. All these buildings were rescued and then restored to their former glory. There is also a replica Victorian school house on site.  The on-site farm includes Shire horses and cattle at work. Then after all that excitement have a picnic by the lake.

When you next visit Chichester, make sure to book your hotel in Chichester from this list.