Chichester is a cathedral city in West Sussex, England. The
city dates back to Roman times, and started life as an ancient settlement. It
has a population of over 26,000, and overlooks the River Lavant. Chichester is
twinned with two other cities: Chartres (France) and Ravenna (Italy).
The name Chichester is thought to derive from the Old
English word “Cissa”, with reference to a historical person whose origins remain
unknown.
The city and its surrounding area are said to have played a
significant part in the Roman Invasion of A.D. 43. Its city centre lies on the
foundations of what was once Noviomagus Reginorum, and the overall design of
Chichester was first set out by the Romans. It its original form, Chichester
was a walled city home to Roman Baths and an amphitheatre.
These days, Chichester is a popular tourist spot, home to
stunning cathedrals, walkways and townhouses. Its shopping streets are among
some of the prettiest in Britain, and its city boasts a number of Roman
artefacts. Landmarks include Chichester Cathedral, Fishbourne Roman Palace and
the Chichester City Walls. For art, head to the Pallant House Gallery, and for
history, visit the Novium museum. Other sites worth visiting include Tinwood
Estate and Bishops Palace Gardens. There’s also Chichester Festival Theatre and
Goodwood House.
The city has a number of ancient routeways and a
conservation area of architectural and historical importance. There is a number
of Grade I and Grade II listed buildings in Chichester, along with underground
culverts.
Chichester is a commuter hub with roads leading to
Eastbourne and Southampton. It’s linked by the A27 which adjoins the M3, M27
and M275 motorways, and connects to London to via the A29. Chichester railway station,
the town’s main train station, offers regular services to Brighton, London,
Portsmouth and Southampton. The city is also covered by a number of buses, and
has various long-distance routes for cycling and walking. The closest airport
to Chichester is Southampton Airport, at 32 miles away.
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