Chichester!

[JorisBonson]

DH and I going for a weekend in a cottage just outside Chichester tomorrow. What shall we do?

We have dinner booked at a lovely pub by the harbour, are going to visit the cathedral and would like to do some wild swimming at Bosham Hoe. Anything else? We are seafood fanatics so any restaurants/ good fishmonger recommendations appreciated!

If you can get to the harbour at Emsworth, not far from Bosham, you could see whether Fresh From The Boat is open. It has the very best fish imo. If you’re going to be visiting the cathedral, which is in South Street, you could walk cross to East Street and at the end of there, is Turner’s Pies. They’re award winning and delicious and they also do mail order for future reference.

If you wanted to go a bit further afield, Arundel is pleasant and Amberley museum. Normally I’d recommend the Weald and Downland Museum at Singleton, where they film The Repair Shop, but check to see if Goodwood Festival has finished, otherwise it’s very busy.

Enjoy your weekend.

Amazing, thank you! DH is obsessed with the repair shop, might keep that one to myself 🤣

Bosham has a craft centre if that’s of interest too.

There is a lovely walk from Dell Quay (The Crown and Anchor) to Chichester Marina ( The Boat House Cafe)

Fishbourne Roman Palace

Arundel is so beautiful. Walk along the river or the road past the lake to the Black Rabbit pub.

The Wittering Beach of course! East Head especially. Don't forget to book parking.

Catch the little ferry boat from Itchenor to Bosham shore (in low tide) and walk to Bosham village.

Take a boat trip around the harbour.

I'd do an afternoon in Arundel

@Timetogetup123 booked into the c&a tomorrow evening so will aim to get there early for an explore :)

I was there recently. The Bishops Garden in Chichester is a peaceful oasis,

if you are feeling flush the Ivy restaurant is lovely, otherwise head for Selsey and the crab shack behind the lifeboat station which does a good crab sandwich.

Definitely don't go into Bognor 😂

The Fisherman's hut just off the beach at East Wittering is great for fish and I'd say definitely get some Selsey crab while in the area if you like seafood. The Crown and Anchor does good fish but we found that ordering from the outdoor kitchen meant a drop in quality of prep compared to main kitchen.
There are some very pretty and surprisingly old churches in the area. The one in Bosham is a good starting point. Pagham harbour is nice for a different view of the area.
And, although I didn't like the plot premise, the descriptions of Chi harbour in the Taxidermists Daughter are haunting and add an interesting layer to visiting.

Just to add, Crazy for You is the musical running at the festival theatre at the moment and has great reviews.

The Roman Palace at Fishbourne is amazing

The Pallant Gallery is a small and well stocked art gallery, just south of East Street. Very peaceful.

If you go as far as Worthing then Crabshack is a great seafood restaurant.

Bosham Hoe is mostly a private estate so not sure where you would park to swim? For swimming in the sea as opposed to the harbour, I would aim for West Wittering (booked parking necessary), Selsey or Felpham?

My mum lives in Chichester. I love it, shopping is good.
West Wittering beach. Obvs. My favourite beach. Ever.
In town lunch at Brasserie Blanc is nice.
My most favourite is the Crown and Anchor. Bosham. By the sea. You must book.

@RetrainRetrain
Has already recommended it I see. She has good taste!

C&A
Yum!

Is there anything on at the Festival Theatre that you fancy? It's a brilliant venue.

Both shows on at the CFT at the moment are amazing! Fishbourne is interesting.

How do you get to East Head /East Wittering? Do you just turn left before going down the track to West Wittering?

We ate at Crown and Anchor last summer! You have to book carpark in advance at West Wittering. Goodwood races on atm), Petworth, Arundel, Amberley museum, Weald and Downland open air museum (where the Repair Shop is filmed), Fishbourne Roman Palace and Bignor Roman Villa which tends to get overlooked. The Novium museum in Chichester is worth a visit too.

Crown and Anchor is at Dell Quay - it’s the Anchor Bleu at Bosham. Bosham Hoe is a private estate and I wouldn’t swim in the Harbour anyway - better off the beach at the Witterings.

The Crab and Lobster at Sidlesham does good food (tides wrong for walking round the marshes though).

If you can park at West Wittering go for a walk round East Head (although high tide this weekend will be around 1pm / 2pm).

Things to do:
Fishbourne Roman Palace
Weald and Downland (for Repair Shop fans)
West Dean Gardens
Chichester Cathedral and Bishop’s Palace Gardens
Novium museum
Pallant House Gallery
Walk up The Trundle - overlooks Goodwood racecourse
RSPB centre at Pagham also has nice walks

Town is busy with Glorious Goodwood on at the moment.

Sing Yer Heart Out For The Lads is also on at CFT - haven’t seen it yet but planning to (it’s been recommended by a friend who works there). The Minerva is a really nice little theatre.

We park at East Wittering and walk - it’s about an 8 mile loop. You do have to time it with the tides. Also you can park at Bracklesham and walk the other way towards Selsey (if you’re lucky you can find fossil shark teeth).

Itchenor has a good pub and if you are up for walking, take the foreshore walk to Ellanore, pass Kate Winsletts house - very pretty walk along the estuary.