Is Chichester a good place to bring up a family?

[ClaireD1987]

Hi there,

We are considering moving to Chichester in the next year or so. We are looking for an area which has enough to do for a young family, whilst offering a safe environment for our family to explore.

Would you say that Chichester is the right place to bring up a young family? Does it provide a safe, family friendly environment?

I have heard through a few friends that Chichester can be on the rather snobby side. We are a normal family (which I believe our far away from snobby🤞🤣) - so naturally have the worry of us not fitting in?

I’m aware that I am most probably overthinking this, although I would love some experiences from people from the Chichester area.

Any advice on particularly nice areas to house hunt/areas to avoid would be hugely appreciated.

We have 3 children, one fast approaching secondary school age. 😬😵‍💫

Thanks in advance.

Rent/house prices are insane in Chichester so you better have a very good budget. Other than that it's a nice place to live 5 minutes from the south downs and close to the sea too

Chichester is a lovely place. If you want your children to grow up with water sports, the opportunities are endless. The water around Chichester harbour is amazing, offering canoeing, rowing, paddle boarding, sailing, swimming, etc.

It’s lovely.
If you move to the south of the centre, just keep in mind you’ll get summer traffic with people going to Witterings and Selsey.
To the West - Fishbourne, Bosham and a little further Emsworth, if you didn’t want to be in the centre of Chichester itself, they’re nice places.
I personally wouldn’t live to the East of Chichester off the A roads, as you’ll get stuck in Brighton traffic often.
In the centre, the places near priory park are lovely. A little further out the centre, north up Lavant road is nice.
Theres a fair amount of student houses in the central area so if that bothers you do check out what the surrounding houses are.

My daughter regrets moving to the area with her now 4 yr old. Nothing to do that's well organised, fun or exciting. Everything just a bit blah. But that's compared to the rich diversity and opportunities they had in London. Struggling to make mum friends too. So if anyone has any ideas?

Depends what you think of as fun!
The RSPB at Pulborough Brooks run a wildlife club for 5yrs+ (and parents); next event is a Bat Walk https://group.rspb.org.uk/pulboroughwex/
Pallant House Art Gallery have been offering summer workshops for children (7+, unaccompanied) which are fantastic https://pallant.org.uk/childrens-workshops-summer-art-club-age-7/
Chichester Harbour Conservancy run Harbour Tots for 2.5-4 yr olds, and offers outdoor activities https://www.conservancy.co.uk/exploring-chichester-harbour/family-activities-in-chichester-harbour/
Chichester Festival Theatre run heaps of activities for families https://sc-cft.files.svdcdn.com/production/Families/CFTMar25_007_Families_EBrochure.pdf?dm=1748618363

You could also do a Space-themed sleepover at the Novium Museum https://www.thenovium.org.uk/article/27340/Sleepover-at-the-Museum
Go urban orienteering as a family https://www.southdowns-orienteers.org.uk/events/chichester-2025-10-11
Join DInky Dragons Toddler Club at the Weald and Downland Museum https://www.wealddown.co.uk/events/dinky-dragons/
Make fizzing potions in pumpkin cauldrons at West Dean https://www.westdean.ac.uk/gardens/events/halloween-activities

So nothing well organised, fun or exciting..???

Agree with this. We lived around Chichester when my daughter was young and she attended the RSPB wildlife club at Pulborough. Also a fabulous History gang youth club at the Weald & Downland Museum. Loads of water sports and tons of kiddie friendly activities. I now live in Winchester and my daughter is 19, but it was a fabulous area for families..

I guess she is missing the many free museums, amazing child focussed spaces and creative activities in London. She has been to a couple of advertised activities but they were very poorly organised and very disappointing.

There are activities for babies but regarding the other activities mentioned: The RSPB at Pulborough Brooks is for 5yrs+ , Pallant House Art Gallery is for 7 plus. The Harbour Tots is one day a week once a month up to 4 yrs. Chichester Festival Theatre is either very expensive or booked up, some aimed at younger children. The Orienteering is for 6 and over. Weald and Downland activity is up to 4. Potions for one week at West Dean and where there is no play area? But thanks anyway. Perhaps they need to look further afield.

Have your friends suggested a location that isn’t snobby? presumably they are a good indicator of what would suit you,

Look up various toddler groups if the child is very young. We did baby ballet and soccer tots etc. I went to one when my daughter was about 6 months old and to be honest it was my absolute sanity even though we all sat in a circle singing nursery rhymes for 90 mins. However there was a tea break where we could chat. I lived up a rural farm track and my husband was away half the week with his job (pilot) so I was very isolated. No family close by either. Takes time and it can be very intimidating going in alone initially, but I still have friends now from this group 20 years later. There will be other mums out there in her area looking for friends. Also even a post on MN appealing for Chichester mums for coffee. I met one lady though a MN post. She had just relocated. It can be really hard being a mum of young children in a new area, but Chichester did have a lot on when I was there. Hope she finds some friends.

I have spent several months in Chichester over the years caring for my parents who moved there after I left home; often accompanied by my children at various ages.
It is the dullest place I have ever visited. Everything is so bland. I don’t know if it’s snobbishness, but people are incredibly standoffish.
My parents moved there specifically to avoid being around others and they love it.
Would you consider Hove (I am assuming that if you have the budget for Chichester, you have the budget for Hove). It’s so much more open and friendly, and is very calm compared with Brighton.

I love Chichester!

I absolutely love Chichester - partly because i love the theatre - i spend alot of time there and the town is booming unlike other towns - my daughter has a few friends at uni there and they love it.

Not sure what there is for young families though.

Very interesting! Isn’t it funny how there can be such variable cultures! If I become very unfriendly, it’s nice to know I’ll have somewhere to go! I have been there, but only really noticed lovely buildings and trees!

I love chichester. I'm always on my own when I go and I find it really friendly. I haven't been for ages cause I'm too lazy now. But I used to go at least twice a year sometimes stay in a hotel - Premier Inn - and go to the theatre and galleries.

Everyone is so nice down there I find. There aren't many places I feel comfortable going to a pub on my own but I've been fine there. Also, if you go to the Cathedral or the gardens, people will just chat to you randomly, which I love.

Can't answer for families, but there seem to be a lot around.

Traffic in Chichester is awful around the a27 ring road especially at peak times.

Live nearby. Town centre is crap. Council is crap. Wealthy middle class in the private schools are terrible for loving a good old bubble of self congratulation. A27 is a total disgrace.

Also.

Area is beautiful, hills and sea. There are good cultural options for theatre and art. I like Pompey as a city to visit. Easy to get to London for a day out. There are some not snobby people around. Safe, low crime.