Things to do in/near Chichester over Christmas, any tips?

[PinstripeElephant]

Christmas with the in laws this year. Really not looking forward to it, none of them speak to me, and pretty-- much completely ignore me, so I'd like to be busy and out of their house as much as possible so they can have a lovely time sitting eating mince pies and slagging me off.--

I'm not local, no family or friends there to visit, so I was wondering if anyone knew of anything to do locally between the 24th-31st. Likely to be just me and 1 year old DS doing stuff, DH will feel obligated to spend time with his parents.

I wouldn't go! No way I'd feel obligated to spend time with people who treated me like that.

I've just realised how pathetic my OP sounds

I'd love to get out of it, but DH is desperate to go. I've managed to avoid it for four years (alternate between three sets of parents, and home), so it's not something I need to put up with too often. I've only seen them once a year, at most now. Used to try to put the effort in, now can't be arsed.

And my OP was a complete strike through fail

The Weald and Downland open air museum do a lovely Boxing Day olde worlde thing on the 26th. It's great for walking off the turkey (and a nice place to visit anyway)

You could always go to the beach although west Wittering is heaving on Boxing Day, it is pretty quiet the rest of the week, easy to park, and lovely to walk round. Or explore one of the other beaches nearby.

The marina is nice and flat for a pushchair walk, with plenty of gorgeous boats to look at, and if you walk round, ask someone how to get to birdham pool, as it's just a alleyway away and full of ducks and swans to feed. Plus the marina has a lovely cafe.

Chi itself is really nice for shopping with a little one - not too many shops, all flat and very quaint.

Unfortunately, it sounds as though you will be arriving too late for the Christmas fun, but there are plenty of nice things to do as it's all very touristy

Lots to do. Depends on your preferences. Cathedral do a Christmas Eve crib service.

Then sheer fun things - a trampoline park at Chichester Gate. Walk the walls and stop to play at Priory Park with hot chocolate afterwards in one of the lovely cafes.
A Fr Christmas boat trip on canal with a towpath walk and feed the ducks.
The theatre do a Christmas production by the Youth Theatre which is very good but sells out quickly (might be too young).
Catch a train to Portsmouth Harbour to the Historic Dockyard. Loads to do even for little ones.
Catch a bus or drive down to West Wittering beach to walk around East Head and throw pebbles in the sea etc. I suspect cafe will be open.
Weald and Downland is OK.
Arundel has a Castle.
I think there’s a big soft play world at Ford but can’t remember the name.
Fishers Farm Park and Brighton are 40-50 minutes drive.
I’m sure you’ll have a lovely time, Chichester is a really nice city.

Thank you all I'm actually quite looking forward to it now! And if DS can understand any of my wittering on he's looking forward to it too.

We are discussing maybe going up the 23rd (working permitting) so I may actually get to do some of the wonderful Christmassy bits that seem to be on.