Chichester Cathedral
History, architecture and the heart of the city
Chichester Cathedral is the centrepiece of the city, visible from miles around and woven into the daily life of the place in a way that few English cathedrals can match. It stands within the city walls, surrounded by the houses of the Close and the Bishop's Palace Gardens, and its spire is the defining landmark of the Chichester skyline.
The cathedral was founded in 1075, when the seat of the bishop was moved from Selsey to Chichester following the Norman Conquest. The present building dates largely from the 12th century, with significant additions and alterations in the centuries that followed. The architectural style is principally Norman and Early English Gothic, with the nave arcades showing the heavy round arches of the Romanesque period and the retrochoir displaying the elegant pointed arches of the Gothic transition.
The spire, which rises to 277 feet, collapsed dramatically in 1861 and was rebuilt by Sir George Gilbert Scott. The current spire is a faithful reproduction of the medieval original and remains the only English cathedral spire visible from the sea, a beacon for sailors approaching the coast for centuries.
Inside, the cathedral contains an extraordinary collection of art spanning nearly a thousand years. The Romanesque stone carvings in the south choir aisle, depicting the raising of Lazarus and Christ arriving at Bethany, are among the finest pieces of 12th-century sculpture in England. At the other end of the timeline, the stained glass window by Marc Chagall, installed in 1978, glows with vivid reds in the north aisle. The window depicts Psalm 150 and is one of only a handful of Chagall windows in England.
Philip Larkin's famous poem 'An Arundel Tomb' was inspired by the medieval tomb effigy in the north aisle, showing a knight and his lady lying side by side with their hands clasped. The tomb is that of Richard FitzAlan, 10th Earl of Arundel, and his wife Eleanor of Lancaster, and it draws literary visitors alongside the usual tourists.
The cathedral functions as a working church, with daily services, a choir school and a programme of concerts and events throughout the year. The annual Festival of Chichester and other musical events make use of the cathedral's acoustics, and the building is a regular venue for orchestral concerts, choral performances and recitals.
The Cloisters Cafe, in the medieval cloisters, provides refreshments, and the cathedral shop sells books, gifts and cards. Entry to the cathedral is free, though donations are encouraged. The Bishop's Palace Gardens, adjacent to the cathedral, are open to the public and provide a tranquil green space in the heart of the city.
The cathedral functions as a working church, with daily services, a choir school and a programme of concerts and events throughout the year that keeps the building alive and active rather than merely a museum piece. The annual Chichester Festivities and other musical events make use of the cathedral acoustics, and the building is a regular venue for orchestral concerts, choral performances, organ recitals and special services that draw congregations from well beyond the city.
The Cloisters Cafe, in the medieval cloisters adjoining the nave, provides refreshments in one of the most atmospheric settings in Chichester. The cathedral shop sells books, gifts and cards, and the vergers and volunteers are happy to answer questions and guide visitors around the building. Entry to the cathedral is free, though donations are encouraged to support the ongoing maintenance of a building that costs a significant sum to keep in good repair each year.
The Bishop Palace Gardens, adjacent to the cathedral, are open to the public and provide a tranquil green space in the heart of the city. The combination of the cathedral, the gardens, the Close and the surrounding streets makes this area the spiritual and architectural heart of Chichester, a place that rewards slow exploration and repeated visits.