If you are looking for a really interesting day trip from London, then I can highly recommend the charming cathedral city of Chichester.
It takes roughly an hour and a half on the train from London Victoria. Read on for what I got up to on a recent visit and below is a map of my route.
Vicar’s Close
I got off the train at Chichester Station and it was a short walk up into the centre. My first port of call was Chichester Cathedral.
There are a few different routes to choose, but I went through the Grade I listed, 15th century Canon Gate and along the beautiful Vicar’s Close.
![canon gate](https://i0.wp.com/livinglondonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_3498.jpg?resize=600%2C800&ssl=1)
Vicar’s Close was established in 1475 for the 28 Vicars’ Choral of the Cathedral.
![vicar's close](https://i0.wp.com/livinglondonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_3502.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1)
Chichester Cathedral
![chichester cathedral](https://i0.wp.com/livinglondonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_3644.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1)
Standing proudly at the centre of the city and surrounded by a pleasant green is Chichester Cathedral. In the year 681, St Wilfred brought Christianity to Sussex and established a Cathedral at Selsey, 10 miles from Chichester.
In 1076, after the Norman Conquest, the See of Chichester was established and the bishopric moved here.
Construction on a magnificent cathedral began and it was finally consecrated in 1108. In around 1400 the cloisters, spire and free-standing bell tower were constructed.
![chichester cathedral cloisters](https://i0.wp.com/livinglondonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_3510.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1)
The bell tower, pictured below, is unique in that it is detached from the rest of the cathedral.
![chichester bell tower](https://i0.wp.com/livinglondonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_3627.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1)
This decision was made as the towers of the Cathedral had already started to subside by 1400.
![chichester cathedral towers](https://i0.wp.com/livinglondonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_3648-1.jpg?resize=600%2C800&ssl=1)
The architecture is a mixture between the original Norman/Romanesque, as well as later gothic elements.
If two fallen towers was not enough, on the 21st February 1861 the spire and central tower of the cathedral collapsed.
![](https://i0.wp.com/livinglondonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/chichester-cathedral-spire-2.jpeg?resize=1024%2C514&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/livinglondonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/chichester-cathedral-spire-3.jpeg?resize=1024%2C521&ssl=1)
Thankfully no-one was killed but the spire was rebuilt along the original lines by George Gilbert Scott. It is the third tallest spire in England behind Salisbury and Norwich.
![chichester cathedral](https://i0.wp.com/livinglondonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_3689.jpg?resize=600%2C800&ssl=1)
What To Spot Inside
![chichester cathedral](https://i0.wp.com/livinglondonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_3521.jpg?resize=600%2C800&ssl=1)
St Richard’s Shrine: in 1253 the Bishop of the Cathedral Richard de Wych died and was buried inside the cathedral. His tomb became one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the country, until it was dismantled, during the Reformation, in 1538.
Since the 19th century depictions of St Richard have returned to the cathedral. Today the backdrop of the altar is a beautiful Anglo-German tapestry, from 1985, by Ursula Benker-Schirmer, depicting some of the miracles of St Richard.
![altar of st richard](https://i0.wp.com/livinglondonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_3572.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1)
There are also lots of other modern art pieces in the cathedral that are worth a look.
The Cathedral is home to some rare Tudor paintings.
The huge paintings, on wood, were commissioned by Bishop Robert Sherburne in the 1530s and depict the history of the cathedral, Henry VIII confirming the rights of the cathedral and a series of portraits of English monarchs.
![chichester cathedral tudor paintings](https://i0.wp.com/livinglondonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_3603.jpg?resize=1024%2C457&ssl=1)
Make sure also to not miss the Chichester reliefs.
They are two carved panels dating from 1125 and depict the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.
![chichester reliefs](https://i0.wp.com/livinglondonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_3591.jpg?resize=600%2C800&ssl=1)
They were discovered behind boards above the choir stall in 1829.
By these you will also see an exposed section of Roman mosaic from the 2nd century, discovered in 1966.
![roman mosaic chichester cathedral](https://i0.wp.com/livinglondonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_3586.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1)
One of the tombs that you can find in the cathedral is called the Arundel Tomb. Dating from 1375, it is thought to depict the Earl of Arundel and his second wife Eleanor of Lancaster.
![the arundel tomb](https://i0.wp.com/livinglondonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_3548.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1)
It was first erected at Lewes Priory (a feature of a previous day trip!) and moved here after the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1537. It is rare in that it depicts the couple holding hands.
![lady chapel chichester cathedral](https://i0.wp.com/livinglondonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_3574.jpg?resize=600%2C800&ssl=1)
Bishop’s Palace Garden
![bishop's palace garden](https://i0.wp.com/livinglondonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_3661.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1)
I then had a lovely walk around the Bishop’s Palace Gardens. This green oasis dates back to 1147, originally the garden of the Bishop. Since 1974, a large part of it has been open to the public.
![bishop's palace garden](https://i0.wp.com/livinglondonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_3670.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1)
From the garden you can also see a section of the old city wall, pictured below.
![chichester roman wall](https://i0.wp.com/livinglondonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_3678.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1)
Chichester was founded by the Romans in the 1st century and the four main streets and circular wall that they laid out still define the shape of the city today, nearly 2000 years later.
![chichester map](https://i0.wp.com/livinglondonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_3710.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1)
The walls were constructed by the Romans in the 3rd century and were then heightened and enhanced over the centuries, with the Roman bits being largely below ground today.
![chichester city walls](https://i0.wp.com/livinglondonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_3707.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1)
Chichester has some of the best surviving city walls in the country and you can walk around the route of them today.
Chichester Cross
![chichester cross](https://i0.wp.com/livinglondonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_3639.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1)
At the centre of the town is the Chichester Cross. It is thought to date from 1501, built by Bishop Edward Story. He built it to provide a covered market place for poor peasants, who only had a few goods to sell. They would not have to pay tolls to the city, provided they sell from beneath the cross.
![charles i bust chichester](https://i0.wp.com/livinglondonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_3641.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1)
St Olave’s Church
I then headed to Priory Park and walked past the old church of St Olave’s.
![st olave's chichester](https://i0.wp.com/livinglondonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_3751.jpg?resize=600%2C800&ssl=1)
It is the oldest occupied building in Chichester and dates back partially to the mid 11th century. Some of the original Saxon church survives but what you can see from the street is a 14th century frontage. It is dedicated to St Olaf, the first Christian king of Norway who died in 1030, and the church is thought to have possibly been founded by Scandinavian merchants.
Priory Park
Priory Park, encircled by sections of the city wall, contains two sites of interest.
Firstly the building below dates from 1282 and is all that remains of the Franciscan friary that occupied this corner of the city until it was dissolved by King Henry VIII.
![chichester guildhall priory park](https://i0.wp.com/livinglondonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_3728.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1)
It was most likely the chancel of the friary but from 1541 it started to be used for law courts and as the city hall or guildhall. It ceased to be the guildhall in 1850, went through various uses and today can be hired for events such as weddings.
You will also spot a mound: this is all that remains of the motte and bailey castle that was built here after the Norman conquest.
![chichester castle mound](https://i0.wp.com/livinglondonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_3736.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1)
Chichester Castle was ordered to be destroyed in 1217 by King Henry III after he recaptured it from the French in the First Baron’s War.
Fishbourne Roman Palace
There is a museum called the Novium Museum in the centre of town, all about the history of Chichester. As I visited on a Monday however, it was shut and instead I visited the Fishbourne Roman Palace.
![fishbourne roman palace sign](https://i0.wp.com/livinglondonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_3760.jpg?resize=600%2C800&ssl=1)
It is a half an hour walk or so from central Chichester but it is well worth it. At Fishbourne are the excavated remains of what is thought to be the largest Roman dwelling in Britain.
Between 1961 and today many excavations have taken place, each time new discoveries were made.
![archaeology fishbourne](https://i0.wp.com/livinglondonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_3767.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1)
It is thought to have been built as the palace of a pro-Roman local chieftain called King Togidubnus. Construction starting in 75AD, but it was expanded significantly over the years, before being destroyed by fire in the 280s.
![fishbourne roman palace model](https://i0.wp.com/livinglondonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_3833.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1)
You can meander around many of the excavated remains today. The mosaics are particularly mind-blowing.
![fishbourne roman palace](https://i0.wp.com/livinglondonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_3826.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1)
The mosaic below depicts Cupid on a Dolphin and dates from the 2nd century. It would have originally been on the floor of the one of main dining rooms in the North wing of the palace.
![fishbourne roman palace](https://i0.wp.com/livinglondonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_3804-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/livinglondonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_3792.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1)
![fishbourne roman palace](https://i0.wp.com/livinglondonhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_3818.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1)
Rather than walking all the way back to Chichester I, instead, got the train from Fishbourne back to Victoria.
And there we have it. Do let me know in the comments if you have been to Chichester/live there and have any other suggestions in addition to mine above.
Thank you very much for reading, more day trips below!
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I’m so sorry I missed this, it only came up on my Insta today 17th July.
Love these Jack, thank you. And as luck would have it, my companion & I are visiting Chichester this weekend … we now have a great route to follow 🤩
Lovely city, and Fishbourne Roman villa is worth a visit on its own.
Love this Jack! I’d already booked an overnight stay in Chichester for August and now I’m even more excited to go! Thanks, Jo.
Next time you visit, hav3a look into the Pallant House Gallery
Funnily enough I am off to Chichester next week….go down at least twice/three times per year. Love the place. Fishbourne is well worth a visit as well (I am a Friend of Fishbourne anyway).
This brings back many happy memories of my visit to Chichester in 2020.
A visit to Pallant House Gallery is well worth making if you’ve the time.
Lovely photos.
Great photos, as usual. The Roman remains are absolutely recognisable to anyone living in St Albans, or any other Roman site. In fact, the later buildings, too, are , to a point, almost interchangeable.
It looks very charming.
I thought King Togidubnus was a reggae “toaster”…
Thank you so much for a highly interesting tour of Chichester. I haven’t been there yet, but as a place of interest, I hope to do so in the future. I am enjoying your tours and would love to have a tour with you Jack, but as I’m now 80, I don’t think I could keep up with you all. Never mind, I’m seeing them through your eyes. Regards Elizabeth Clarke
A day trip to Chichester sounds charming! From the historic cathedral to the Roman palace, there’s so much to explore. Thanks for the detailed guide, it’s a perfect itinerary for a visit!
I was in Chichester about two months ago, so many hidden gems there. I took a train trip to nearby Arundel, which is really stunning. There are some literary connections in Chichester, the tomb you pictured is the subject of Philip Larkin’s poem An Arundel Tomb. The composer Gustav Holst is buried in the cathedral. In Eastgate Square there is a statue of the poet John Keats, near to a house he stayed in. He wrote the poem Eve of St Agnes while staying in Chichester. Near to Eastgate Square is St Pancras Church which has a very cool Civil War story you can read about on an information display outside. More good city walls to be seen just by there too.
Thank you so much for rekindling some happy memories, as well as touching on many of the cathedral’s highlights. I was a chorister at Chichester from 1959 to 1963. I sang at the consecration of the Arundel screen when it was reinstalled a century after its removal that contributed to the final spire collapse. I did visit in 2009, when I was lucky enough to run into Dr. John Birch (d. 2012), the organist and choirmaster who had auditioned and trained me some 50 years earlier. I’m delighted to see how everything has been so respectfully preserved and well maintained. The brilliant Dr. Birch, btw, used to delight by sometimes sneaking in a theme from one of the current Top 10 hits in his Sunday morning postludes… Thanks again for a great piece!