The only city in West Sussex, Chichester is a pleasant place home to ~26,000 people that dates from Roman times. There is enough to distract for a few hours and nearby Tangmere is home to an enjoyable aviation museum.
Chichester Cathedral is the main sight, an impressively large and ornate building dating back to the 12th century with strong Norman and Gothic architecture. It’s 84m high spire is easily the highest point in the city.
It is the only cathedral in England with a surviving detached medieval bell tower dating from around 1200.
There are atmospheric 15th century cloisters.
The initial view through the cathedral upon entering is grand, and almost dizzying looking up into the two front towers.
There are many alters and tombs along the sides of the cathedral of interest.
The South Transept has a huge stained glass window depicting scenes from the bible.
The High Alter is backed by a colourful 1966 tapestry.
At the far end is the peaceful Lady Chapel.
The main organ is suitably large for the size of the cathedral.
Near the cathedral are the Bishop’s Palace Gardens, a pleasant spot dating back to the 12th century.
On one side of the gardens are the 1,800 year old Roman walls of Noviomagus Reginorum, which extend around much of the centre of Chichester.
The centre of Chichester is filled with the usual chain shops but with a number of interesting heritage buildings.
This was the most memorable Natwest bank building I’ve ever seen!
The Novium Museum is built over Roman baths, and provides a compact but well presented history of the city from Roman times to the present.
Ten minutes drive away Tangmere is home to 64 acres of glasshouses, the pepper / capsicum growing capital of Britain, and the excellent Tangmere Military Aviation Museum. This is located on the former site of RAF Tangmere, which was used during WW1, WW2 (most notable the Battle for Britain) and post-war before being decommissioned in 1970. Some of the larger planes are outside by the car park.
Inside are a surprising number more planes.
Along with some interesting displays and artefacts.
Out back is a bomb shelter and bunker, needed during WW2 when the airbase was bombed.
