City Centre

Historic cathedral city centre with Roman street plan, medieval Market Cross, Georgian frontages, and a compact mix of shops, restaurants and cultural venues within the ancient walls.

Chichester's city centre is defined by the four principal streets that meet at the Market Cross: North Street, South Street, East Street and West Street. This cruciform layout dates from the Roman period, when Noviomagus Reginorum was laid out on a standard grid plan within its defensive walls. The Market Cross itself, an ornate octagonal structure built in 1501 by Bishop Edward Story, stands at the intersection and remains the focal point of the city. The four streets form the commercial spine of the city, lined with a mix of national retailers, independent shops, cafes and restaurants. North Street tends towards clothing and department stores, while South Street runs down towards the cathedral and the Bishop's Palace Gardens. East Street connects to the Hornet, a continuation of the commercial area that runs towards the eastern walls. West Street leads towards the Festival Theatre and Westgate. The Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity dominates the southern quarter of the centre. Its spire is visible from miles around and serves as a navigational marker across the coastal plain. The cathedral precinct, including the Deanery and Canon Lane, provides a quiet enclave within the commercial bustle. Georgian and Regency frontages characterise much of the centre, though medieval timber-framed buildings survive behind later facades in several locations. The Butter Market, tucked behind North Street, provides a covered shopping area in a converted market hall. The city walls, built by the Romans and repaired through the medieval period, survive to a walkable height along much of their circuit. The wall walk provides a pleasant route around the centre, with views into private gardens and across the rooftops. Chichester is a compact centre. Everything is within walking distance, and the human scale of the streets is one of the city's strongest qualities.