General Introduction

Chichester’s four principal streets still mainly follow the pattern of the Roman settlement, founded nearly two thousand years ago. The city walls – remarkably intact for an English town – also follow the Roman plan and contain masonry from the original construction. These four city centre walks explore each of Chichester’s historic quadrants that are divided by the four principal thoroughfares of North, South, East and West streets. Each quadrant has its own special atmosphere and distinctive history. A great rebuilding from the late seventeenth century replaced or re-fronted timber-framed thatched houses with the characteristic Georgian street scene of brick and stucco buildings that exists today.

The North-West Quadrant was, prior to the eighteenth century, dominated by market gardens and livestock farming, including slaughterhouses. Today, among the older buildings, are the modern administrative centres of a county town, including County Hall, Chichester Library and the Novium Museum. The south side of West Street (including the cathedral) is included in Trail 4, and the east side of North Street is included in Trail 2.

 

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Note: the digital trail is updated as necessary so the contents will differ from the original paper-based trail, a pdf version of which is available here   

DIGITAL TRAIL

Below is an interactive map for Trail 1 covering the North-West Quadrant of the City. To view the map you are recommended to enlarge it by clicking on the four-cornered symbol in the top right hand corner

Start by clicking on the pedestrian symbol at the bottom right corner at The Market Cross. To follow the guide walk west along West Street and follow the orange line and marker number sequence in a clockwise direction, clicking on each marker for more information about the building or object. The tour ends where you began, at The Market Cross.