Chichester is a small cathedral city in West Sussex, close to Portsmouth and the South Downs. The Roman walls that encircle the city centre are still largely intact, and the street plan follows the Roman grid, with four main streets meeting at the medieval Market Cross in the centre.
Chichester Cathedral dates from the eleventh century and is notable for its detached bell tower, one of only three in England. Inside, there are fine Romanesque carvings and modern artworks by John Piper and Marc Chagall. The cathedral is free to visit and worth an unhurried look.
The Chichester Festival Theatre, founded in 1962, has an excellent reputation and premieres productions that often transfer to London's West End. The Pallant House Gallery, in a Queen Anne townhouse, has one of the best collections of modern British art outside London.
Chichester Harbour, just south of the city, is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with walking and sailing opportunities. Fishbourne Roman Palace, a mile west of the city centre, has some of the finest Roman mosaic floors in Britain.