CHICHESTER

The pleasant, historic cathedral city of Chichester is not actually by the sea as such, but it is very near, and has a couple of waterside spots nearby worthy of mention. The wharf at Dell Quay was built in the 16th century, and was once the seventh most important port in England. It is still visited by a multitude of vessels, and there are harbourside footpaths to walk along. The Quay is part of Chichester Harbour, an AONB, or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, run by Chichester Harbour Conservancy, based in the village of West Itchenor. There is a Harbour Education Centre which runs marine field trips as well as art and photography courses.  From the Canal Basin in the city itself, it is possible to take a pleasant canal boat trip.  The cathedral with its imposing spire can be seen rising up majestically from the flat terrain around the city.  Other attractions in the city include the Pallant House Gallery, with a permanent Modern British collection plus temporary exhibitions.

Going back even further in time, the Romans used the harbour, which was navigable all the way to Fishbourne, the site of a Roman palace which was excavated during the 1960s. The palace was built in the 1st century and there are differing theories about who owned it, one being that the early phase of the palace belonged to King Cogidubnus, who although a British king, actually supported the Roman invasion, in return for which he was able to rule on their behalf. Another theory is that it was built for Sallustius Lucullus, a Roman Governor of Britain. There is a modern building which has been built to protect the precious mosaics and other remaining features of the interior, but visitors can handle Roman artefacts at the Collections Discovery Centre.

For events in Chichester follow this link.

Live streaming webcam from Itchenor Sailing Club near Chichester.

Map of the area.

Chichester Cathedral - geograph.org.uk - 1287890. Photo by Chris Gunns, via Wikimedia Commons.