Chichester for living
Choose to thrive
The area around Chichester, including Midhurst and Petworth to the north and Selsey and the Witterings to the south, has a unique blend of city, coast and countryside. This area is where you can find an area of immense variety and beauty, comprised of rich downland features in the north through a plain endowed with natural resources essential to a modern country, to the variety of wetlands in the coastal and harbour areas in the south. Through this are a number of landscape features that help to create the character of many of our communities, some accessible, some remote.
For families there are some fantastic education providers in the area, Chichester District has 47 primary schools and 4 secondary schools, as well as a great selection of public schools covering a variety of ages.
Activities range from water sports like windsurfing and paddle boarding to cycling, walking and climbing.
Find out more about what the area has to offer via the area visitor organisation The Great Sussex Way
In 2020 holiday company Holidu looked at cities throughout the country and, after taking into account the average number of hours of sun, average temperature, number of parks, lakes, beaches, swimming pools and ice-cream shops, and comparing these with the density of the cities, placed Chichester in the number-one spot!
Chichester
Chichester city has years of history, the Roman wall still stands relatively intact around the main centre and the Cathedral’s spire can be seen from miles around.
A diverse mix of independent stores and big-name favourites line the streets, offering plenty of browsing for those in need of retail therapy. Vibrant green parks and hidden gardens offer peaceful retreats for a quiet lunch, while bars, cafes and restaurants offer an assortment of refreshments and culinary experiences. with Chichester Festival Theatre and Pallant House Gallery on your doorstep there doesn’t seem to be much Chichester can’t offer!
Chichester City has an Business Improvement District Chichester BID
The area has an active Chamber of Commerce which runs events throughout the year to support local businesses Chichester Chamber of Commerce
Midhurst
Midhurst is at the very heart of the South Downs National Park, the historic market town of Midhurst is a vibrant community with a profusion of independent boutiques, cafes and restaurants, housed in a mixture of Edwardian, Victorian and Georgian architecture.
There are many different businesses in the town from printers and web developers to independent retailers and a variety of places to eat. There is an active business community. Midhurst Business Network
Discover more about visiting and living in Midhurst at Visit Midhurst
Petworth
The charming market and Antiques town of Petworth sits surrounded by the stunning scenery of the South Downs National Park. This small, picturesque town is a renowned centre for art, culture and antiques, with an impressive range of art galleries based here, and over 40 antique dealers dotted along the enchanting streets and cobbled lanes, cheek to cheek with independent shops and boutiques, mouth-watering delicatessens, cafes and restaurants.
Surrounding the town are the walls of the National Trust’s Petworth House and Park, a stunning English stately home built to rival the great European palaces. Beautiful pleasure grounds and sweeping parklands which are the work of Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown stretch for over 700 acres.
To find out more about Petworth and the surrounding areas, visit Discover Petworth
Petworth Business Association was formed to support its members and promote Petworth to the rest of the world
Selsey
The historic fishing town of Selsey lies eight miles south of Chichester on the southernmost tip of the Manhood Peninsula. Famed for its Selsey Crab which is lauded across the globe as one of the very best, the town has a proud fishing heritage, and there is still a strong cultural connection to the sea, with a fishing fleet moored offshore, still bringing in the catch.
Selsey’s miles of natural beaches play host to a huge variety of wildlife both on and off the shore, and the RSPB reserves of Pagham Harbour and RSPB Medmerry are home to countless species of birds and wildfowl. In warmer months, visitors may even glimpse the seals from which Selsey’s name originates.
With more sunlight hours than anywhere in the UK, and bathing water rated as excellent, Selsey is a great town in the sunshine. Explore the rugged landscape on foot or on bicycle. Enjoy a fabulous Selsey sunset and admire the impressive dark skies made famous by the late Sir Patrick Moore who lived in the town.
Discover more about this hidden gem at the Destination Selsey website.
The Witterings
On the manhood peninsula, near the mouth of Chichester Harbour, the twin villages of East and West Wittering are home to stretches of unspoilt coastline. The golden sandy beach of West Wittering is a summertime hot spot, hugely popular with day trippers and holiday makers keen to enjoy the wide sands and shallow waters.
East Wittering, with its thriving community and vibrant selection of independent shops and cafes, boasts a sand and shingle beach which neighbours Bracklesham Bay on its Eastern Edge.
Both beaches are a year-round mecca for thrill seekers, with a host of watersports experiences on offer, as well as tuition and equipment hire. During cooler months, when dogs are welcome in all areas, the quieter beaches are the perfect location for wintry walks, with plenty of places to warm up afterwards.
For more information on The Witterings you can visit the website Love the Witterings
Living and Enjoying
Whether you’re attending one of the world famous events at Goodwood, enjoying the South Downs Way or surfung in the Witterings there is something for everyone to enjoy.
- Chichester Festival Theatre
- Weald and Downland Museum
- Petworth House and Park
- Pallant House Gallery
- The Novium Museum
- Uppark House and Garden
- Fishbourne Roman Palace
These are just a selection of things to do around the area, there is more information on The Great Sussex Way
