Chichester & surrounding area
Chichester and its surrounding areas have something for everyone – from world-class motorsports and horseracing at Goodwood, to tours and exhibitions at Chichester Cathedral celebrating 950 years. Historians will enjoy stepping back in time, as they explore Chichester’s Roman walls or discover the nearby Fishbourne Roman Palace. More of a nature-lover? Go bird watching at RSPB's Medmerry or Pagham Harbour nature reserves, or visit a nearby alpaca walking farm.
Just 15 or so minutes from Chichester is The National Trust’s Petworth House – a magnificent stately home with a remarkable art collection, including works by Turner. From here, you can also pop to the quaint, traditional market towns of Petworth, which is known for its art and antique shops or nearby Midhurst situated in the stunning South Downs National Park and home to Cowdray Park polo.
Coastal Chichester
Head south of Chichester, you’ll find the charming coastal towns and villages of Selsey, West Wittering, East Wittering, and Bracklesham Bay – all perfect spots for a beach break. Watersports lovers flock here for surfing, paddleboarding, and more, with 2XS in West Wittering offering great lessons and gear hire. West Wittering’s sandy beach is a real favourite, ideal for winter dog walks or a bit of bird watching. In the busy summer months, you’ll need to book your visit ahead of time to avoid missing out.
East Wittering has a lovely, laid-back vibe, with its mix of shingle and sand beach, bustling village shops, cosy cafés, and Shore Watersports right on hand. Wander a little further and you’ll reach Bracklesham Bay, where the wide, sandy beach is popular with surfers, fossil hunters, and families alike. It’s also home to Billy’s on the Beach – a perfect spot to tuck into something tasty while enjoying views across to the Isle of Wight. Over in Selsey, you’ll find Seal Bay Resort and beach offering family-friendly breaks. Make sure you stop to taste the famous Selsey Crab and other locally caught seafood.
Just a stone’s throw away, Chichester Harbour Conservancy is a must-visit for nature lovers. Its peaceful creeks, saltmarshes, make it a haven for wildlife, especially birds and it’s wide open waters and marinas make it a popular sailing destination. Nestled on the edge of Chichester Harbour, the picturesque village of Bosham with its quaint waterfront, historic church, and charming independent shops, pubs and cafés, it’s the perfect spot for a relaxed stroll.
Chichester Cathedral
For 950 years, this Cathedral has stood at the centre of life in…
Weald and Downland Living Museum
- Town Lane
Be part of something historic and discover Sussex rural history through the…
Chichester Festival Theatre
Chichester Festival Theatre creates inspiring experiences that bring people…
Goodwood House
Set in the stunning 12,000 acre Goodwood Estate, Goodwood House is the home…
Plan your visit to Chichester
What's on in Chichester
Chichester950 Children's Trail
- Chichester Cathedral
- May 20, 2025 - Nov 15, 2025
Join Wilfrid the Seal on a journey of discovery in Chichester Cathedral's latest family trail…
Chichester950 | Religion, Rebellion & Reformation
- Chichester Cathedral
- May 20, 2025 - Nov 15, 2025
An exhibition sharing the story of the Christian faith in Sussex, revealed through people, events…
Curious About Chichester
- May 20, 2025 - Oct 25, 2025
Have fun discovering Chichester with two self-guided, quirky, heritage walks with an optional…
Little Antlers: Story Time
- May 20, 2025 - Jun 6, 2025
Join us for a special story time at Petworth Park, designed specifically for toddlers aged 2 to 4…
Little Antlers: Wild Wednesdays
- May 20, 2025 - Jun 4, 2025
Join us for some hands-on fun! Roll up your sleeves and dive into our crafts and activities…
Summer junior golf camps
- Goodwood Estate
- May 20, 2025 - Jul 16, 2025
A fun environment for young golfers aged 5-13 to help them learn how to golf and develop new skills…
The Government Inspector
- Chichester Festival Theatre
- May 20, 2025 - May 24, 2025
The bureaucrats in a remote provincial town are panicking. Word has gone round that a bigwig…
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
- Chichester Festival Theatre
- May 20, 2025 - Jun 14, 2025
Funny, profound, deeply moving and uplifting, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is a joyous new…
Spire Visits @ Chichester Cathedral
- Chichester Cathedral
- May 21, 2025 - Aug 30, 2025
Ascend through nearly 950 years of history, guided by knowledgeable volunteers, to Chichester…
A Room Full Of Idiots'- Completely Improvised Show
Our Kuckoo Theatre actors take to the stage again after the success and sell out of our last Show We…
Race Meeting
- May 23, 2025 - Oct 12, 2025
Have a flutter and watch the horses race at this course that has played host to the sport of kings…
Chichester Pride
Established in 2019, we're dedicated to promoting awareness of the struggles and triumphs of the…
Pixies & Pirates | May Half Term!
- May 24, 2025 - Jun 1, 2025
A magical May Half Term adventure for pre-schoolers and primary-aged children! Set sail for fun and…
Wdcd
As the day is now sold out, we are unable to guarantee places for the Community Showcase and the…
Wdcd
What Dance Can Do is a symposium on Intergenerational Dance and Dance and Age(ing). The symposium…
What Dance Can Do
What Dance Can Do is a symposium on Intergenerational Dance and Dance and Age(ing). The symposium…
Family Day
Late May Bank Holiday Family Funday
What Dance Can Do
Please note this booking is for Sunday only. The booking link for Saturday will open shortly What…
Children's Workshop | Write950 creative writing with author Ali Sparkes | Age 7
CHICHESTER CATHEDRAL SEEKS YOUNG WRITING TALENT Is there a young writer in your life who has…
An Introduction to Horses
Get hands-on with our Introduction to Horses Experience at Goodwood, where kids can learn to care…
Horse & Groom Ride Experience
For new and experienced horse riders alike. Learn about the long history of horses on the estate…
May half term junior golf camp.
- Goodwood Estate
- May 27, 2025 - May 29, 2025
A fun environment for young golfers aged 5-13 to help them learn how to golf and develop new skills…
Junior Clay Shoot
- May 28, 2025 - May 29, 2025
This half term, become a young gun and try your hand at Clay Pigeon Shooting. Learn the basics and…
"Discovering Lavant Stone" an illustrated talk by well known geologist David Bone
"Discovering Lavant Stone" an illustrated talk by well known geologist David Bone…
Level 6 Joint Route Agent Showcase
Join us for an exciting and insightful event at the Chichester University Joint Route Level 6 Agent…
Outdoor Theatre: Much Ado About Nothing
Pedalling from venue to venue with all of their set, props and costumes on the back of their bikes…
Nature and Close-up / Macro Photography Workshop
This all-day workshop provides an introduction to the key principles and techniques for Nature and…
Tinwood Summer Party
A day dedicated to dancing in our beautiful vineyard and drinking Sussex Sparkling wines in…
Tree Climbing
Climb among the estate's beautiful, ancient trees and immerse yourself in the natural…
The East Pointers
The East Pointers are redefining modern folk with pop hooks, deep acoustic grooves, trance-like trad…
The East Pointers with Special Guests Saije
Fans of The East Pointers have Koady Chaisson to thank for being the kinetic force behind the…
Musical Theatre Showcase
- Jun 3, 2025 - Jun 6, 2025
A showcase of acting, dance and song from our Level 3 Musical Theatre students.
Gasper Nali
Gasper Nali plays a Babatoni - a 3 meter, one-stringed, home-made bass guitar - with an empty bottle…
Queen by Monarchy
Come and express your inner Killer Queen , break free and be a fellow Champion as Monarchy play a…
Anna Karenina
- Chichester Festival Theatre
- Jun 7, 2025 - Jun 20, 2025
Across the vast panorama of 19th-century Russia – from the glittering salons of Moscow and St…
Boxgrove Summer Fayre
Join us for our Annual Summer Fayre- everyone is welcome. Free live music and children's…
London Concertante: A Night at the Opera by Candlelight
If you're looking for a romantic candlelit experience, want to enjoy some classical music greats…
Simply Kate Bush
Simply Kate Bush return to Chichester Assembly Room with the prospect of another dazzling display of…
Selsey Open Gardens
Selsey Open Gardens - 8th June 2025 Come and visit our lovely selection of gardens displaying…
Chichester Art Society Exhibition
- Jun 10, 2025 - Jun 22, 2025
Chichester Art Society Exhibition will be taking place as part of a wider range of events during the…
Cello Recital
Professor Laura Ritchie presents a recital of Romantic cello works by Ginastera, Cassado, and the…
Guided Walk: Summer at Pagham
Join our friendly guides for a guided walk at RSPB Pagham Harbour, towards Church Norton, enjoying…
Pilates & Tinwood
Enjoy a Pilates Masterclass at Boxgrove village hall followed by a short stroll to Tinwood Estate…
Shrek
Saturday Stage School Selsey proudly present Shrek Junior for their end of year production.
Sussex Craft Week
- Jun 14, 2025 - Jun 22, 2025
Sussex Craft Week is a new festival of making launching across East and West Sussex 14-22 June 2025…
Twelfth Night
Join The Lord Chamberlains Men this summer, in their 21st year, for Shakespeares greatest romantic…
Cello Day
Join in a day of music making where you play in a cello orchestra! This promises to be a fun day of…
Crescendo 2025
- Jun 16, 2025 - Jun 17, 2025
Our Level 3 Dance students perform a range of contemporary, modern, ballet and jazz repertoires…
On the doorstep
South Downs National Park
The South Downs National Park is a stunning natural gem, stretching across much of Sussex. Known for…
Bognor Regis & Littlehampton
Looking for activities with a nostalgic seaside feel? Look no further than Littlehampton and Bognor…
Arundel & Amberley
The majestic sight of Arundel castle and its expansive grounds greets you as soon as you enter the…
Sussex Coast
The combined coastline of East and West Sussex stretches 140 miles along the English…
The Great Sussex Way® is the DMO for the Chichester District in West Sussex. Visit us for the historic walled city of Chichester with its iconic cathedral, the pretty market towns of Petworth and Midhurst brimming with interesting independents, glorious seaside towns like Selsey, Bosham and The Witterings enjoying more sunlight hours than anywhere in the UK. Explore cycle routes and footpaths with outstanding views of the stunning South Downs National Park, or the beautifully unspoilt West Sussex coast.
Plan your visit here for fascinating historic sites and museums, peaceful nature reserves, boat trips, grand country houses, glorious gardens, outstanding theatre and inspirational art galleries, award-winning vineyards producing delicious Sussex wine and much more in our jewel in the Sussex crown.
Explore Chichester and beyond by rail, with these inspiring itineraries from The Great Sussex Way: