Crane Street

Street guide, Chichester

Crane Street is a quiet residential lane in the Pallants, the historic southeastern quarter of the walled city. The Pallants take their name from the medieval palantine jurisdiction that operated in this area, separate from the main city governance. Crane Street is typical of the quarter's character: narrow, with Georgian and earlier buildings, and a sense of enclosure provided by continuous building frontages. Pallant House Gallery, which houses one of the finest collections of modern British art outside London, is located nearby. The street is almost entirely residential, with well-maintained period properties that command high prices. Crane Street is part of the Pallants conservation area and benefits from strict planning controls that have preserved its historic character. It is a pleasant walking route through the oldest part of the city and connects to Tower Street and the streets around the cathedral. The quiet atmosphere is a marked contrast to the shops and traffic of South Street, just a few metres to the west.