Chichester and its Harbour: A Long Weekend Exploring Sussex’s Coastal Highlights by Rail
Leave the bustle of London or Gatwick Airport behind as you board Southern Railway’s direct service to Chichester. A long weekend exploring the historic cities and waterside villages of Sussex awaits…
This two-night itinerary brings together Chichester, Fishbourne, Bosham, Nutbourne and Southbourne. You’ll travel to each of these picture-perfect locations by rail; all journeys are direct, so sit back relax and take in the English countryside.
The station is a short walk into the beautiful city centre with plenty of cultural delights to keep you entertained as well as a wide range of independent shops and eating outlets.
Spend a leisurely morning getting your bearings of this small but perfectly formed cathedral city. From the central 16th century Market Cross, the city (thanks to the Romans) is divided neatly by streets running North, South, East and West. Each are adorned with an eclectic mix of historic and modern buildings. The city is also surrounded by Roman walls, some of the most complete examples in the UK. Walk the walls to get great views of the city; the best place to start is bearing west from North Street. This is a 1.5 mile circuit.
Don’t miss: The many side streets and alleyways (or Pallants, as they’re known) which are littered with great shops and eateries, including The Hornet, Crane Street, St Martins Street and Baffins Lane.
Don't miss: our recommendations for the best coffee in town here.
Chichester draws in the crowds thanks to its diverse cultural offering. Spend an afternoon exploring the highlights.
Chichester Cathedral: Immerse yourself in the iconic moments of English history during a drop-in cathedral tour (2.30pm or 11.30am). Marvel at medieval stone carvings and contemporary works of art from the likes of Graham Sutherland and Ursula Benker-Schirmer, amongst others.
Pallant House Gallery: Discover the story of British art from 1900 to the modern day at one of the UK’s most distinctive modern art museums. With 20 galleries, housed within a historic Queen Anne townhouse, you can indulge in the work of Lucian Freud, Barbara Hepworth and John Piper to name but a few.
The Novium Museum: Set over a Roman bath house, the Novium tells the story of Chichester and the wider district. There are three floors to explore. On the top floor you’ll find touring exhibitions, as well as a viewing platform looking across to the cathedral and its unusual bell tower.
Don’t miss: Lunch at The Ghost at the Feast. You’ll find eight independent street food kitchens here, as well as coffee, craft beer, cocktail and natural wine bars, a full restaurant and a micro-winery. Spread across two floors, this is a cultural dining delight.
Continue exploring Chichester’s cultural offering with an evening at Chichester Festival Theatre (performances commence at 7.15/7.30pm, or 2.15/2.30pm for matinees). As one of the UK's most distinguished playhouses and leading regional theatres, Chichester Festival Theatre is celebrated for its high-quality productions, many of which transfer to the West End.
If you’re not ready to call it a night, extend your evening with dinner and drinks in the city centre. Enjoy the Mediterranean cuisine on offer at Turkuaz, or experience classic Italian dining at Piccolino. Stay on for drinks at either, or enjoy some of Chichester’s popular and traditional pubs including The Park Tavern, The Hole in the Wall, The Nags Head and The Old Cross.
Look out for: Chichester Festival Theatre runs a monthly backstage tour at 11am.
Don't miss: our recommendations for restaurants in Chichester.
After breakfast in Chichester, head to Chichester Railway Station for the two-minute journey to Fishbourne.
A treasure trove of historical and cultural attractions, Fishbourne sits at the water’s edge and offers incredible views of Chichester Harbour, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
While Fishbourne Roman Palace - the largest Roman home in Britain - brings in the crowds, there is incredible wildlife to be admired here too.
Before heading to the palace, take the short walk to the harbour from the water meadow to the south of the village. Here, wildlife flourishes and a myriad of birdlife can be spotted, from ducks, geese and waders to dark-bellied brent geese kingfishers, black-tailed godwit’s and breeding terns.Back at Fishbourne Roman Palace, admire the beautifully preserved mosaic floors, incredible range of Roman artefacts and expertly recreated Roman gardens. This large Roman villa is home to over 20 mosaics including the spectacular Cupid on a Dolphin
Don’t miss: The Café at the Palace for a great selection of homemade cakes.
Fun fact: Author, Kate Mosse, was born in Fishbourne and her best-selling novel, the Taxidermist’s Daughter is set here. Follow the walking route inspired by the book.
Head back to Fishbourne Railway Station and jump on the train, this time for a three-minute journey, to Bosham.
Renowned as one of the most photogenic locations on the South Coast, Bosham isn’t just a pretty photo spot. Located on the edge of Chichester Harbour, Bosham Quay is a sailing hub for countless boats and yachts, while its village has a rich history with connections to the Bayeux Tapestry and it is now believed Harold of arrow in the eye fame, lived here.
Spend a delightful afternoon ambling around this distinctive seaside Sussex village. Head for lunch or afternoon tea in the beautiful surrounds of the Millstream Hotel before following the trail of shops down to the water’s edge. On route, don’t miss the Bosham Walk Art & Craft Centre – a hub of local art, craft and textile businesses - as well as the grade I listed Holy Trinity Church (open during daylight hours). Holy Trinity Church is the oldest place of known worship in West Sussex and is thought to be the final resting place of King Canute’s daughter.
Down by the water you can admire views across the harbour. While there are plenty of places to buy coffee or ice cream here, it’s worth exploring the footpaths that lead along the shoreline in either direction, you can also cross the harbour at low tide following the causeway.
While there’s more to Bosham than just being a great photo opportunity, the magical sunsets here have been drawing in keen photographers for decades. Set up camp by the water to watch the stunning sunset above the coastline, before nestling down for the evening in The Anchor Bleu.
There’s no better place to spend the evening in Boham than by the water, and you can do just that in this traditional, family run harbourside pub. Just like Bosham itself, The Anchor Bleu is steeped in history and has become a popular location for tourists and locals alike. Book a table in advance.
Sit back, relax and soak up the soothing Sussex ambience, before you rise bright and early to make the most of your last day in Sussex tomorrow.
While there are plenty of great breakfast options in Bosham, why not make the most of your last day in Sussex by packing in one extra destination along the way; Nutbourne. Just three minutes on a direct train from Bosham (and on the same line as your final stop, Southbourne) the pretty village of Nutbourne makes for the perfect breakfast spot.
Surrounded in beautiful countryside and farmland, Nutbourne has been designated as a Conservation Area thanks to its historic buildings and structures that are of architectural interest. Take a leisurely breakfast at Nutbourne’s destination café, Mamawu, just a 20-minute scenic walk from Nutbourne Railway Station. Serving up delicious food, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free delights, this beautiful café is a must-visit on the Chichester Harbour to do list.
From Mamawu, either head back to Nutbourne Railway Station for the three-minute direct train to Southbourne or take a gentle 25-minute meander along scenic paths to Prinsted Lane, for your final Sussex adventure.
Don’t miss: The village Church of St Mary’s. This historic church dates back to the 12th Century and is a Grade II listed building.
If you opted for the train option to Southborne, now take the 25-minute picturesque walk from Southbourne Railway Station to Prinsted Lane, on the outskirts of Prinsted.
Prinsted and Southbourne - two pretty villages that can be found in the north-east corner of Chichester Harbour - offer the perfect ending to your Sussex rail adventure.
From Prinsted Lane you can follow a popular 40-minute route offering incredible views of Prinsted Bay and the wider Chichester Harbour. You’ll find flat easy paths, the foreshore and marina, a café and many benches to relax on along the way, meaning you can extend the walk over a whole afternoon if you wish to delay your trip back to London.
Don’t miss: The village of Prinsted offers a glimpse into a time gone by. Look out for the old, thatched homesteads, the big brick and stone manor house which dates back to 1663 and other houses in the village which show the remains of timber framing which could date back as far as the 1500s. If you have time, it’s worth extending your walk for a look around the village and its beautiful homes before you go.
Don't miss: Throughout the year, on Mondays and Fridays, the Diddy Van van by the Sea Scout HQ in Prinsted Lane serving great coffee and home bakes from 9am-12 pm. During the summer, the sea scouts run The Shoreline Coffee Shop from their HQ as well.
This draws your long weekend in Sussex to a close. Travel back to home from Southbourne Railway Station.
Great places to go in Chichester, Fishbourne, Bosham and Prinsted
Great places for breakfast in Chichester: 17 Grams, Trading Post, Hoxton Bakehouse, Charlie Harpers, Crispins Café, The Barn Little London, Boston Tea Party, Bumble’s Café, Serendipitous, The Chapel Café, Fenwicks Café
Great places to shop in Chichester: The Bazaar, Winter's Moon, Little London Boutique, Gallery Bookshop (Pallant House), Cherry Vintage, Vintro Chichester and for great chain stores, Vinegar Hill, Marks & Spencer, TK Maxx, New Look, Barbour, The White Company, Jo Malone, WH Smith, GO Outdoors, Mountain Warehouse, Between the Lines, Mint Velvet and H&M.
Great places for lunch in Chichester: Robin's Nest, The Fat Fig, Pallant Café, The Park Tavern, Bills Chichester, Piccolino, Ghost at the Feast, The Chapel Café, Café on the Park, Fenwicks Café, Luckes
Great places for dinner in Chichester: The Brasserie at Chichester Festival Theatre, Purchases Chichester, The Ivy Chichester, Turkas Social, Santorini, Smith & Western, Giggling Squid Chichester, Piccolino, Lemongrass Chichester, Reina Kitchen, The Ship at the Harbour Hotel
Great places to stay in Chichester: Harbour Hotel Chichester, East Walls Hotel, The Nags Head, Chichester Inn, The George & Dragon, The Clock House, Purchases Chichester
Great places to eat in Fishbourne: The Bulls Head, The Café at the Palace, The Woolpack Inn.
Great places to eat in Bosham: The Anchor Bleu, Marwick’s Brasserie, The Bosham Inn, Sea School Restaurant, The Crate Café, Shoreside Café, Pop-In Café
Great places to stay in Bosham: The Millstream Hotel, The Bosham Boathouse, Garden Cabin.
Great places for lunch near Prinsted: The Huts Emsworth, Driftwood Café, Mamawu Café, Cross Kitchen Emsworth.
By train: Southern Railway offers direct trains from London Victoria, Gatwick Airport, Portsmouth to Chichester and the harbour villages of Bosham, Fishbourne, Nutbourne, Southboune & Emsworth. There are direct trains between Brighton and Chichester.
