48 Hours in Chichester

Day 1 - Shopping, History and Theatre

Morning

Step inside over 900 years of history with a drop-in guided tour of Chichester Cathedral (11.30am or 2.30pm, £5pp). From Romanesque architecture to works by Marc Chagall and Graham Sutherland, this cathedral blends ancient and modern beautifully.

Don't miss:  The famous Chagall stained glass window, radiating bold, expressive colour in the north-east corner.

Afterward, enjoy afternoon tea at Cloisters Kitchen & Garden, nestled within the 600-year-old cloisters. Or wander the stunning Bishop’s Palace Gardens - a peaceful haven with water features, rare trees, and floral walkways.

Day 2 - Art, Walks & Hidden Gems

Morning

Afternoon

Chichester Canal

Just a 10-minute walk from the centre, the Chichester Ship Canal is perfect for a tranquil stroll, boat ride, or rowing boat hire. The towpath offers postcard views of the cathedral and the South Downs.

Return boat trips (75 mins, £8 adult / £5 child)

Book in advance via [email protected] or call 01243 771363

The Novium Museum

Built over a Roman bathhouse, The Novium is a free-entry museum opposite the cathedral that tells Chichester’s story across three floors. Don’t miss the panoramic views from the top floor and exhibitions ranging from ancient history to modern-day.

The Chichester Cinema

Experience the best of independent film at Chichester Cineam at New Park, a beloved local venue showcasing new releases, foreign language films and classic cinema gems.

How to Get to Chichester: Travel Guide by Train, Car, Bus and Ferry

Planning a visit to Chichester? This historic cathedral city on the South Coast of England is well-connected by rail, road, and sea. Here’s everything you need to know about how to reach Chichester from major UK destinations.

Travel to Chichester by Train

Chichester is easily accessible from London by train in under two hours. Southern Railway operates direct services from London Victoria and one-change services via London Bridge, both passing through Gatwick Airport - making it ideal for international visitors. Chichester Railway Station is centrally located, just a short walk from the city’s main attractions, shops, and restaurants.

Driving to Chichester by Car

Reaching Chichester by road is straightforward, thanks to excellent motorway and A-road connections:

• From Hampshire, Sussex, and Kent: Use the M27 and A27 coastal route.
• From London and Mid-Sussex: Travel via the A24 or A29.

The city offers ample parking, with multiple car parks located within easy walking distance of the city centre. Blue Badge holders benefit from free parking in designated spaces and most car parks, and on-street parking is available for vehicles displaying a valid disabled badge.

Getting to Chichester by Bus or Coach

Chichester is served by frequent and reliable local bus services run by Stagecoach, providing direct connections to:

• Brighton
• Bognor Regis
• Portsmouth
• Surrounding villages and towns in West Sussex

Buses depart from the Chichester Bus Station, located close to shops, cafes, and key attractions.

For longer journeys, National Express coaches operate services from Bognor Regis to London Victoria, with convenient stops in Chichester.

Ferry Travel Near Chichester

The nearest international ferry terminal is Portsmouth International Port, located approximately 14 miles (22 km) from Chichester—just a 30-minute drive.

Brittany Ferries offers crossings to France (Cherbourg, Caen, Le Havre, St Malo),  Spain (Santander, Bilbao) and Channel Islands with services to Guernsey (St Peter Port) and Jersey (St Helier).

From the Isle of Wight, Wightlink operates regular car ferry services from Portsmouth Harbour

Distances to Chichester

London: 70 miles (112km)

Portsmouth International Port: 14 miles (22km)

Gatwick: 46 miles (74km)

Port of Dover: 122 miles (196km)

Great places to stay in Chichester: The Cathedral offers rooms, suites, holiday apartments and self-catering cottages, Purchases, Chichester Harbour Hotel, The Old Grocery,  North Walls B&B, East Walls Hotel, Travelodge Chichester Central, East Pallant B&B, 3 Little London Mews,The Clockhouse, The Courtyard, The Annexe, 16 South Pallant, Westgate apartment, East Pallant B&B

Great Shopping in Chichester: Winter’s Moon, Little London Boutique, Stephen Lawrence, Montezuma chocolate (a Chichester brand), Host coffee (roasted in Chichester and found in Refilled in Draper’s Yard and Gnarly Tree), Susie Watson Designs, Whirligig Toys, Clothkits, Barn, Little London (stockist of Chichester’s Brilliant Gin)

Great breakfast destinations in Chichester: Common Grounds, Seredipitous Bakery, Real Eating, St Martin’s Organic coffee house, West Street Deli

Great places for lunch in Chichester: Luckes, Boston Tea Party, and The Buttery. Book ahead to secure an outdoor chalet at The Barn, Little London, Café on the Park, Ghost at the Feast

Great dinner options in Chichester:  The choice of international cuisines in Chichester city centre is quite wonderful. There’s Spanish tapas at Artie’s Kitchen, Greek cuisine at Santorini, Turkish meze at Reina Kitchen, Mexican at Taco Box, Thai at Wagamama, Giggling Squid, or Lemon Grass, French at Brasserie Blanc and Cote Brasserie and modern British at The Ivy, Crate & Apple, Purchases, Piccolino, Turkaz Social

Great places for a drink in Chichester::  Crafty Bishop, The Escapist and The Rocking Horse