Things to Do in Chichester
Chichester is easy to underestimate. It is a small city — compact enough to walk end to end in twenty minutes — but the concentration of things worth doing is unusually high. A Norman cathedral with Marc Chagall windows. One of the UK's most respected producing theatres. An award-winning gallery of Modern British art. A free Roman museum with a bathhouse under the floor. Canal boat trips. A farmers market twice a month. And less than ten miles away, the best sandy beach in West Sussex and the start of the South Downs.
Most of it is free or inexpensive. Most of it is within fifteen minutes on foot. What Chichester lacks in size it makes up for in quality, and it rewards visitors who go in knowing what to prioritise rather than just wandering.
This guide tells you what is actually worth your time, what to book ahead, what combines well in a single day, and what suits different kinds of visits.
If You Only Do a Few Things
If you have half a day or your first visit, these three form the best compact itinerary and cost almost nothing:
Chichester Cathedral — start here. It is free, takes 45 minutes to an hour at a relaxed pace, and the contemporary art inside (Chagall, Piper, Sutherland) makes it more interesting than most cathedrals of comparable size.
The Novium Museum — five minutes on foot. Also free. The Roman bathhouse visible through the glass floor is the hook, but the museum is well-curated throughout. Allow an hour.
Pallant House Gallery ground floor — ten minutes from the Novium. The ground floor and print room are always free. If you want to see the full Modern British collection, budget £17 per adult for the upper floors — it is genuinely one of the best collections outside London.
That is a morning or afternoon, almost free, and you will leave with a much stronger sense of what makes Chichester distinctive.
Culture and Theatre
Chichester Festival Theatre
The Festival Theatre is one of the UK's flagship producing theatres, running since 1962. Productions regularly transfer to the West End — this is not a provincial theatre in any diminished sense. The main Festival Theatre seats 1,200; the intimate Minerva seats 280. The summer season runs May to October.
For the 2026 season programme, including My Fair Lady, The Rivals, and several world premieres, see our Chichester Festival Theatre 2026 guide. It covers what is on, how to book, and what to expect from a visit.
Key Information
Top tip: The CFT restaurant is worth booking for pre-show dinner. Arrive 30 minutes before curtain if you want a drink at the bar without queuing — it fills fast on busy nights. The walk through Oaklands Park and Priory Park on the way in is a good way to decompress before the performance.
Pallant House Gallery
An award-winning gallery housed in a Queen Anne townhouse in the heart of the Pallant quarter. The permanent collection focuses on Modern British art: Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Eduardo Paolozzi, Ceri Richards, Peter Blake, and a strong body of lesser-known 20th-century work. Temporary exhibitions are ambitious and well-curated.
The ground floor and print room are always free and do not require a ticket. Under-18s are free throughout. For adults with a serious interest in art, this is one of the most rewarding galleries in the south of England outside London.
Key Information
Top tip: Allow 2 to 3 hours for the full collection. The gallery café is one of the better lunch options in this part of the city. After the gallery, walk the Pallant quarter streets: North, South, East, and West Pallant radiate from a central cross and are lined with Georgian townhouses, independent restaurants, and wine bars — the best area in Chichester for an evening meal. If craft beer is your thing, the area is also within easy reach of several good taprooms — see our West Sussex breweries and taprooms guide.
Chichester Cathedral
The cathedral has stood at the centre of Chichester since 1075, rebuilt and extended over nine centuries. The detached bell tower in the churchyard is one of only two remaining medieval detached cathedral bell towers in England. Inside, the contemporary art commissions are exceptional: a tapestry by John Piper, stained glass by Marc Chagall, paintings by Graham Sutherland.
Entry is by recommended donation. No one is turned away for not donating. Evensong is sung by the cathedral choir most weekday evenings during term, which is free to attend.
Key Information
Top tip: The spire tour runs Wednesday and Friday at noon: 164 spiral steps to the roof, with views across Chichester Harbour and the South Downs on clear days. Adults £20, students £16, children £14. Book at the visitor desk in advance.
History and Heritage
The Novium Museum
Built over the in-situ remains of a Roman bathhouse, which are visible through the glass floor. The museum covers Chichester's Roman, medieval, and modern history with accessible displays. Entry is free for everyone, including any temporary exhibitions, which makes it an easy addition to any city visit.
The Novium also houses the Tourist Information Centre — useful if you want maps or advice on arrival.
Key Information
Top tip: The Roman bathhouse floor holds children well for about 20 minutes. Combine with the cathedral (5-minute walk) for a full free morning that gives a strong grounding in what Chichester actually is.
Fishbourne Roman Palace
Just 1.5 miles west of the city centre, Fishbourne is the largest known Roman domestic building in Britain. Discovered in 1960 when a builder hit a water main, the palace dates from around 75 AD. The mosaics, including the famous Cupid on a Dolphin, are kept under a modern roofed building and are exceptionally well-preserved. The museum is well-interpreted and genuinely surprising for first-time visitors.
This is the natural extension to a Chichester history visit — Novium for the Roman city overview, Fishbourne for the full palace experience. Allow 2 hours minimum at Fishbourne.
For full prices, opening hours, and visit notes, see our guide to castles and historic days out in West Sussex.
Key Information
Top tip: Best for children aged 7 and up who can engage with the history. The working Roman garden is a good addition for younger children who find the mosaic galleries less absorbing.
The City Walls
Chichester sits inside one of the most complete sets of Roman walls in England. Walking the full circuit takes about 45 minutes, is free, and gives elevated views across the rooftops and towards the cathedral. The walls are most visible on the north and west sides of the city centre.
Family-Friendly Things to Do
The Novium Museum is the strongest free family option in the city: Roman bathhouse floor, hands-on displays, and a 5-minute walk from the cathedral. Free for all.
Priory Park is immediately next to the Festival Theatre. Green Flag park with a free adventure playground, cricket ground, and the remains of a medieval Greyfriars chapel. Connects through to Oaklands Park and the theatre grounds. Good for burning off energy between paid attractions.
Key Information
Chichester Canal boat trips are well-suited to families with children who like being on the water. The scheduled 75-minute round trip runs spring to autumn, up to four times per day. Children under 12 pay £7. The canal charity also hires rowing boats from £8 for a half hour if you want to do it yourself.
Key Information
Fishbourne Roman Palace (1.5 miles west) works well for children aged 7 and up who have covered Romans at school. The mosaics, reconstructed Roman garden, and activity area hold attention well. Allow 2 hours.
West Wittering beach (7 miles south) is the best sandy beach in West Sussex — wide, clean, and National Trust managed. It combines well with a morning in Chichester. See our best beaches in West Sussex guide for what to expect, when to go, and parking details.
Free and Budget-Friendly Options
Chichester is one of the more affordable cities in the south of England to spend a day in:
- Cathedral: free to enter (donation suggested)
- Novium Museum: free for all
- Pallant House ground floor: free
- Priory Park: free
- City walls walk: free, 45 minutes
- Canal towpath: free, flat 3.5-mile walk to Chichester Harbour
- Chichester Farmers Market: free to browse (1st and 3rd Friday, East and North Street) — see our West Sussex markets guide
- Cathedral evensong: free most weekday evenings in term
If you want one paid experience, the canal boat trip (£10 adults, £7 children) or Fishbourne Roman Palace (£13.60 adults) give the best value.
Rainy Day Options
Chichester handles wet weather well. Most of the best things are fully indoors:
- Pallant House Gallery — 2 to 3 hours easily, heated, excellent café
- The Novium Museum — fully indoors, free, an hour minimum
- Chichester Cathedral — covered throughout, worth 45 minutes to an hour
- Fishbourne Roman Palace (1.5 miles west) — the mosaics are kept under a roofed building specifically designed for year-round visits
- The Pallant quarter — independent cafes and restaurants concentrated in a small area, good for sheltering over lunch or afternoon tea. Several pubs with good interiors too — see our West Sussex pubs guide
- Families with young children on a wet day: see our soft play and indoor activities guide for the nearest options to Chichester
Goodwood Art Foundation
Set in the grounds of the Goodwood Estate, 20 minutes north of the city by car. Outdoor and indoor sculpture and art park with major permanent works by Yayoi Kusama, Lee Ufan, and Hélio Oiticica. Summer programme from late May adds new temporary exhibitions. Entry £15 for adults, free for under-18s.
This is not a city-centre attraction — it requires a car and a half-day commitment — but for visitors with a serious interest in contemporary art and sculpture, it is one of the most distinctive art experiences within an hour of London.
Key Information
Top tip: Book online in advance. The summer programme from late May is the best time to visit.
What to Do Near Chichester
West Wittering (7 miles south) — the best sandy beach in West Sussex. National Trust managed, wide, clean, and very popular in summer. See our best beaches guide for the full picture including parking, facilities, and when to go.
Chichester Harbour — one of the largest natural harbours in England and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Itchenor (7 miles south-west) has boat trips, sailing, and seal-watching trips in season. The harbour foreshore paths are excellent for dog-friendly walks year-round. For pushchair-friendly routes in the area, see our pushchair-friendly walks guide.
The South Downs — begin just north of the city. The Trundle (3 miles north, free parking on the approach road) is an Iron Age hillfort with panoramic views across Chichester Harbour and the Isle of Wight on clear days.
Arundel (10 miles east) — medieval castle, a cathedral, antique shops, and the Arundel Wetland Centre. A direct train from Chichester takes about 15 minutes.
Practical Information
Walkability and getting around
Chichester city centre is exceptionally compact. The cathedral, Novium, Pallant House, Priory Park, and the canal basin are all within 15 minutes of each other on foot. Most visitors do not need a car within the city at all. A car is only necessary for Fishbourne Roman Palace, West Wittering, Goodwood, or Chichester Harbour.
Parking
- Avenue de Chartres multi-storey (PO19 1BJ) — largest, closest to the city centre
- Northgate (PO19 1BA) — convenient for Priory Park and the theatre
- Cattle Market (PO19 1JW) — southern approach
- Park-and-ride from A27 Westhampnett — operates on busy Saturdays and event days
Getting here by train
Chichester station is on the West Coastway line. Direct services from London Victoria (approximately 1 hour 40 minutes), Brighton (50 minutes), Worthing (30 minutes), Portsmouth (20 minutes). The station is a 10-minute walk from the Market Cross. Trains run frequently throughout the day.
What to book ahead
- Festival Theatre — book early for the summer season, especially musicals and popular Minerva shows. See our CFT 2026 guide
- Goodwood Art Foundation — book online before visiting
- Spire tour (cathedral) — book at the visitor desk, runs Wednesday and Friday at noon
- Canal Fish and Chips Cruise or Cream Tea Cruise — pre-booking recommended
- Pallant House Gallery — walk-in for most visits; no booking needed
What to combine in one day
First-time visitor, full day: Cathedral (morning) + Novium Museum (late morning) + lunch in the Pallant quarter + Pallant House Gallery (afternoon) + canal walk or boat trip (late afternoon).
Families with young children: Novium Museum + Priory Park playground + canal boat trip. Add Fishbourne Roman Palace if the children are 7 or older and have done Romans at school.
Theatre visit: Afternoon in the Pallant quarter (gallery, cafes) + dinner at the CFT restaurant + evening performance.
History focus: Cathedral + Novium + Fishbourne Roman Palace (allow the full day, Fishbourne needs 2 hours).
Rainy day: Pallant House Gallery + cathedral + Novium Museum + Pallant quarter cafes. All within 10 minutes of each other.
Chichester Events
- Chichester Farmers Market: 1st and 3rd Friday of every month, East Street and North Street. Local producers, Sussex cheeses, fresh fish, seasonal vegetables — see our West Sussex markets guide for the full county picture
- Chichester Real Ale and Jazz Festival: Priory Park, June. 100+ real ales and ciders, live jazz, blues and soul
- Sloe Fair: 20 October, Northgate Car Park, PO19 6AA. Over 900 years old, Royal Charter from Henry I in 1107. Free entry, pay-per-ride
- Chichester Christmas Market: late November and December, city centre streets around the Market Cross
For current and upcoming events in Chichester, see our Chichester events calendar.