View source for Chichester

{{Short description|City in West Sussex, England}}
{{for-multi|the local government district|Chichester District|other uses}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2025}}
{{Infobox UK place
| official_name = Chichester
| type = [[City status in the United Kingdom|City]] and [[civil parish]]
| country = England
| civil_parish = Chichester
| region = South East England
| static_image_name = {{multiple image |total_width = 300 |caption_align= center |border = infobox |perrow= 1 2 2 1
 | image1 = The Market Cross Chichester 1026826 20230815 0001.jpg
 | caption1 = [[Chichester Cross|Market Cross]] from East Street
 | image2 = Chichester Cathedral. A favourite view. - panoramio.jpg
 | caption2 = [[Chichester Cathedral|Cathedral]] 
 | image3 = Council Chamber and Assembly Rooms, North Street, Chichester - geograph.org.uk - 6576696.jpg
 | caption3 = [[Council House, Chichester|Council House]]
 | image4 = Chichester Greyfriars, Prior Park.jpg
 | caption4 = [[Chichester Guildhall|Guildhall]]
 | image5 = Next - on East Street - geograph.org.uk - 6401667.jpg
 | caption5 = [[Corn Exchange, Chichester|Corn Exchange]]
 | image6 = Bastion, Town Wall - geograph.org.uk - 4697224.jpg
 | caption6 = City walls, built on [[Noviomagus Reginorum|Roman foundations]]
 }}
| static_image_2_name = ChichesterCOA.png
| static_image_2_caption = Coat of arms granted in 1570
| static_image_2_width = 120px
| area_footnotes = <ref name="WSCC2001">{{cite web|url=http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/communityandliving/census2001/pop_parish_summary.pdf |title=2001 Census: West Sussex – Population by Parish |publisher=West Sussex County Council |access-date=12 April 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608075926/http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/communityandliving/census2001/pop_parish_summary.pdf |archive-date=8 June 2011 }}</ref>
| area_total_km2 = 10.67
| population = 29,407
| population_ref =<ref name=":nomis21">{{NOMIS2021|id=E04009888|title=Chichester parish|accessdate=6 March 2024}}</ref>([[United Kingdom Census 2021|2021 Census]])
| population_density = 
| os_grid_reference = SU86060482
| population_demonym = Cicestrian<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/domesday/dblock/GB-484000-105000/page/11|title=Domesday Reloaded: Chichester – A Cicestrian|work=Domesday|access-date=16 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320130737/http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/domesday/dblock/GB-484000-105000/page/11|archive-date=20 March 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| coordinates = {{coord|50.8365|-0.7792|display=inline,title}}
| post_town = CHICHESTER
| postcode_area = PO
| postcode_district = PO19
| dial_code = 01243
| constituency_westminster = [[Chichester (UK Parliament constituency)|Chichester]]
| london_distance = {{convert|54|mi}} [[Boxing the compass|NNE]]
| shire_district = [[Chichester (district)|Chichester]]
| shire_county = [[West Sussex]]
| website = [http://www.chichestercity.gov.uk/ City Council]
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-zoom = 12
| mapframe-point = none 
}}

'''Chichester''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|tʃ|ɪ|tʃ|ɪ|s|t|ər|audio=LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-Chichester.wav}} {{respell|CHITCH|ist|ər}})<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chichester|url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/chichester|access-date=3 July 2021|website=[[Collins English Dictionary]]|publisher=[[HarperCollins]]|archive-date=26 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926225026/http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/chichester|url-status=live}}</ref> is a [[City status in the United Kingdom|cathedral city]] and [[civil parish]] in the [[Chichester District|Chichester district]] of [[West Sussex]], England.<ref name=EX120>OS Explorer map 120: Chichester, South Harting and Selsey Scale: 1:25 000. Publisher:Ordnance Survey – Southampton B2 edition. Publishing Date:2009. {{ISBN|978-0-319-24079-3}}</ref> It is the only city in West Sussex and is its [[county town]]. It was a [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] and [[Anglo-Saxon]] settlement and a major market town from those times through [[Norman dynasty|Norman]] and medieval times to the present day. It is the seat of the Church of England Diocese of Chichester and is home to a 12th-century cathedral.

The city has two main watercourses: the [[Chichester Canal]] and the [[River Lavant, West Sussex|River Lavant]]. The Lavant, a [[Winterbourne (stream)|winterbourne]], runs to the south of the city walls; it is hidden mostly in [[culvert]]s when close to the city centre.

==History==

===Roman period===
{{Main|Noviomagus Reginorum}}

There is no recorded evidence that Chichester was a settlement of any size before the coming of the [[Roman people|Romans]].<ref name="BHO">{{cite web|url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/sussex/vol3/pp82-90|title=The City of Chichester: Historical introduction – British History Online|website=www.british-history.ac.uk|access-date=9 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007073827/https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/sussex/vol3/pp82-90|archive-date=7 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The area around Chichester is believed to have played a significant part during the [[Roman conquest of Britain|Roman invasion of AD 43]], as confirmed by evidence of military storage structures in the area of the nearby [[Fishbourne Roman Palace]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Manley|first=John|title=AD43: The Roman Invasion of Britain|year=2007|publisher=Tempus Publishing|isbn=978-0-7524-1959-6|pages=111–128}}</ref> The city centre stands on the foundations of the [[Romano-British]] city of ''[[Noviomagus Reginorum]]'', capital of the ''Civitas Reginorum''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Gazetteer/Periods/Roman/_Texts/Ptolemy/2/2*.html#Noeomagus|title=Ptolemy's Geography – Book II, Chapter 2|website=penelope.uchicago.edu|access-date=27 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kmatthews.org.uk/Ravenna_Cosmography/group6.html|title=Britannia in the Ravenna Cosmography|website=www.kmatthews.org.uk|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030505064813/http://www.kmatthews.org.uk:80/Ravenna_Cosmography/group6.html |archive-date=5 May 2003 |access-date=27 April 2020}}</ref>

The [[Roman roads|Roman road]] of [[Stane Street (Chichester)|Stane Street]], connecting the city with London, started at the east gate, while the [[Chichester to Silchester Way|Chichester to Silchester road]] started from the north gate. The plan of the city is inherited from the Romans: the North, South, East and West shopping streets radiate from the central [[Chichester Cross|market cross]] dating from medieval times.

Chichester's city walls, originating from [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] times, were the subject of a comprehensive study by the City Council in 2019, in which were discussed possibilities for enhancing the walls' preservation, accessibility and interest as a tourist attraction.<ref>{{cite web|title=Chichester City Walls|url=https://chichestercity.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/211121_Chi-City-Walls_compressed.pdf|date=21 September 2006|access-date=25 March 2025}}</ref>

The city was also home to Roman baths. A museum preserving the baths, [[the Novium]], was opened on 8 July 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Novium Roman bath museum opens in Chichester|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-18737604|publisher=BBC|accessdate=25 March 2025|date=8 July 2012}}</ref>

An [[amphitheatre]] was built outside the city walls, close to the East Gate, in around 80 AD. The area is now a park, but the site of the amphitheatre is discernible as a gentle bank approximately oval in shape; a notice board in the park gives more information.

In January 2017, archaeologists using underground radar reported the discovery of the relatively untouched ground floor of a Roman townhouse and outbuilding. The exceptional preservation is due to the fact the site, [[Priory Park, Chichester|Priory Park]], belonged to a monastery and has never been built upon since Roman times.<ref name=BBC2017>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-38746952 |title=Chichester Roman houses found under Priory Park |date=26 January 2017 |access-date=26 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170126031736/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-38746952 |archive-date=26 January 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Anglo-Saxon period===
[[File:England AR penny pointed helmet type Canute the Great Chichester mint.jpg|thumb|[[Penny]], minted in Chichester under [[Cnut|Cnut the Great]] between 1024 and 1030.<br />Moneyer: Leofwine.]]
The legendary foundation of [[Anglo-Saxon]] Chichester is described in the ''[[Anglo-Saxon Chronicle]]'', where it says that the area was annexed towards the close of the fifth century by [[Ælle of Sussex]] and his three sons. The city was supposedly renamed after his son, [[Cissa of Sussex|Cissa]]. It also says that it was the principal city of the [[Kingdom of Sussex]]. However, the foundation story is regarded as a myth by historians as no archaeological evidence has been found to suggest that Chichester was reoccupied until the 9th century.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Welch|first=Martin|editor-last=Brandon |editor-first=Peter |chapter=Early Anglo Saxon Sussex|year=1978 |title=The South Saxons |publisher=Phillimore |location=Chichester |isbn=978-0-85033-240-7 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/southsaxons0000unse|pages=18–35 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Mills|first=A.D.|url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780199609086.001.0001/acref-9780199609086-e-3170|title=A Dictionary of British Place Names|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|year=2011|isbn=978-0-19-960908-6|chapter=Chichester|access-date=13 May 2021|url-status=live|archive-date=13 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513084705/https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780199609086.001.0001/acref-9780199609086-e-3170}}</ref>

In the 9th century [[Alfred the Great]] set about building a system of fortified towns or forts, known as ''[[burh]]s'', in response to the Viking threat. This included old Roman settlements where the walls could be rebuilt and strengthened. Chichester was one of these and was rebuilt probably between 878 and 879. The [[Burghal Hidage]] is an [[Old English language|Anglo-Saxon]] document that provides a list of over thirty burhs, mainly in the ancient Kingdom of [[Wessex]], and the taxes (recorded as numbers of [[Hide (unit)|hides]]) assigned for their maintenance. For each five hides the town was expected to provide one fully armed soldier in the king's service, and one man from every hide was to be liable to do garrison duty for the burhs and to help in their initial construction and upkeep. Chichester was one of the larger burhs and was rated at 1500 hides.<ref name=powicke18>{{Cite book|last=Powicke|first=Michael|title=Military Obligation in Medieval England|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=Oxford|year=1962|pages=18–21}}</ref><ref name=rumble5>{{Cite book|editor1-last=Hill|editor1-first=David|editor2-last=Rumble|editor2-first=Alexander R.|title=The Defence of Wessex: The Burghal Hidage and Anglo-Saxon Fortifications|publisher=Manchester University Press|location=Manchester|year=1996|isbn=0-719-03218-0|page=5 }}</ref>

The system was supported by a communication network based on hilltop beacons to provide early warning. It has been suggested that one such link ran from Chichester to [[Anglo-Saxon London|London]].<ref>Gower, Graham, London Archaeologist Winter 2002, pp 59–63</ref><ref>{{Cite book|author=Lapidge, Michael Ed.|author2=John Blair|author3=Simon Keynes|author4=Donald Scragg| title=The Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Anglo-Saxon England |year= 2001|location=London |publisher=Blackwell|isbn=0-631-22492-0|page=76}}</ref>

===Norman period===
Following the [[Norman Conquest]] in 1066, the cathedral that had been founded in 681 at [[Selsey Abbey|Selsey]] was moved to [[Chichester Cathedral|Chichester]] after the [[Council of London (1075)|Council of London]] of 1075 decreed that Sees should be centred in cities.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Kelly|first=S.E.|editor-last=Hobbs|editor-first=Mary |year=1994 |title=Chichester Cathedral: An Historic Survey |publisher=Phillimore |isbn=0-85033-924-3 |location=Chichester|pages=1–10}}</ref>

When the [[Domesday Book]] of 1086 was compiled, ''Cicestre''<ref>{{cite web|title=Chichester &#124; Domesday Book|url=http://opendomesday.org/place/SU8604/chichester/|website=Open Domesday|access-date=31 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927114605/http://opendomesday.org/place/SU8604/chichester/|archive-date=27 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> in the Hundred of Stockbridge (comprising 102 households across the five areas outside the city)<ref>{{cite web|title=Open Domesday: Stockbridge (Hundred)|url=https://opendomesday.org/hundred/stockbridge/|access-date=19 November 2022}}</ref> comprised 300 dwellings which held a population of 1,500 people, and had an annual value of 25 pounds. There was a mill named Kings Mill that would have been rented to local [[Slavery in Britain|slaves]] and [[villein]]s. After the [[Battle of Hastings]] the township of Chichester was handed to [[Earl of Shrewsbury|Roger de Mongomerie, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury]], for courageous efforts in the battle, but it was forfeited in 1104 by the 3rd Earl. Shortly after 1066 [[Chichester Castle]] was built by Roger de Mongomerie to consolidate Norman power.<ref>{{PastScape |mnumber=1386089 |mname=Chichester Castle |access-date=10 May 2011 }}</ref> In around 1143 the title [[Earl of Arundel]] (also known as the Earl of Sussex until that title fell out of use) was created and became the dominant local landowner. In 1216, Chichester Castle, along with [[Reigate Castle]], was [[First Barons' War|captured by the French]], but regained the following year, when the castle was ordered to be destroyed by the king.<ref name="Chichester.gov">{{citation |url=http://www.chichester.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1940 |title=Castle |publisher=Chichester.gov.uk |author=Chichester District Council |access-date=21 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016030112/http://www.chichester.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1940 |archive-date=16 October 2007 }}</ref> Between 1250 and 1262, the [[Rape of Chichester]] was created from the western half of Arundel rape, with the castle as its administrative centre.<ref name="VCHSxChi">{{cite web|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=41682|title=Victoria County History – The rape of Chichester|publisher=British History Online|access-date=31 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024110726/http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=41682|archive-date=24 October 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Medieval to Victorian period===
[[File:Engraved_map_of_Chichester_from_John_Speed's_1610_map_of_Sussex.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Engraved map of Chichester in 1610 by [[John Speed]]]]
In about 1400 Bishop [[Robert Reed (bishop)|Robert Reed]] erected a cross in the Market Place.<ref>[[Sir James Ware]] "The Antiquities and History of Ireland" Dublin 1705</ref>

At Christmas 1642 during the [[First English Civil War]], the city was [[Siege of Chichester|besieged]] and St Pancras church was destroyed by gunfire.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1354343|desc=CHURCH OF ST PANCRAS, Chichester |access-date=1 March 2019}}</ref>

A military presence was established in the city in 1795 with the construction of a depot on land where the [[Hawkhurst Gang]] had been hanged. It was named the [[Roussillon Barracks]] in 1958.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalsussex.org.uk/RSLHG_Roussillon_Barracks.htm |title=Roussillon Barracks |publisher=Royal Sussex |access-date=16 November 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002151525/http://www.royalsussex.org.uk/RSLHG_Roussillon_Barracks.htm |archive-date=2 October 2013 }}</ref>

The military presence had mostly ceased by 2014 and the site was being developed for housing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chichester.co.uk/news/local/social-hub-revealed-for-roussillon-park-1-6155773|title=Social hub revealed for Roussillon Park|work=chichester.co.uk|access-date=18 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150408002542/http://www.chichester.co.uk/news/local/social-hub-revealed-for-roussillon-park-1-6155773|archive-date=8 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> with the former Guardroom known as The Keep playing host to a detachment of the [[Army Cadet Force]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Roupell |first=Joss |date=24 March 2022 |title=Army Cadets Fresh New Digs |work=Sussex Express |url=https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/people/chichester-army-cadets-fresh-new-digs-3625165}}</ref>

At the beginning of the 19th-century, Chichester's [[livestock]] market was recorded as the second largest in the country.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Armstrong|first=Jack Roy|url=https://archive.org/details/historyofsussex0000arms|title=History of Sussex|publisher=[[The History Press|Phillimore]]|year=1995|isbn=978-0-85033-946-8|location=Chichester, England|pages=65–70|chapter=Chapter 7: Chichester and Lewes from the Norman Conquest|oclc=1244794378}}</ref>

=== World War II to present ===
Chichester was bombed by the [[Luftwaffe]] during [[World War II]], but fared relatively well compared to larger English cities.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Hewitt|first=Phil|title=Chichester Remembered|publisher=[[The History Press|Phillimore]]|year=2004|isbn=978-1-86077-229-0|location=Chichester, West Sussex|pages=29–41|chapter=The Second World War comes to Chichester}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Hewitt|first=Phil|title=A Chichester Miscellany|publisher=Summersdale|year=2013|isbn=978-1-84953-379-9|pages=134–171|chapter=The Horrors of War: 1939-1945}}</ref> On 11 May 1944, a [[United States Army Air Forces]] [[Consolidated B-24 Liberator]] crashed in the city, killing three, injuring 38, and damaging hundreds of local buildings.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Roberts|first=Amy|title=Liberator Bomber Crash|url=https://www.thenovium.org/article/28860/Liberator-Bomber-Crash|url-status=live|access-date=13 May 2021|website=[[The Novium|The Novium Museum]]|archive-date=17 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117083834/https://www.thenovium.org/article/28860/Liberator-Bomber-Crash}}</ref>
[[File:Chichester Public Library, Tower Street - geograph.org.uk - 4941944.jpg|thumb|County Library, Tower St]]
A new West Sussex county library was built in Tower Street in 1967, designed by county architect FR Steele. This was [[Listed building|listed]] at Grade II in 2015.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1425462 |desc=West Sussex Library, Tower St, Chichester |grade=II |access-date=14 February 2024 }}</ref>

In December 1993 and January 1994, Chichester was affected by the [[1993–94 West Sussex floods]].<ref name=":02">{{Cite news|date=7 February 2019|title=Looking back 25 years to Sussex's flooding disaster|work=[[Chichester Observer]]|url=https://www.chichester.co.uk/news/looking-back-25-years-sussexs-flooding-disaster-135483|url-status=live|access-date=28 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209133521/https://www.chichester.co.uk/news/looking-back-25-years-sussexs-flooding-disaster-135483|archive-date=9 February 2021}}</ref>

On 21 November 2017, the Chichester District Council adopted a 'Southern Gateway' plan to redevelop an area from the law courts to the canal basin, including the two railway level crossings.<ref>{{Cite news|date=8 June 2018|title=Approved Southern Gateway plans 'art of the possible'|work=[[Chichester Observer]]|url=https://www.chichester.co.uk/news/politics/approved-southern-gateway-plans-art-possible-1068696|access-date=18 May 2021|archive-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518222350/https://www.chichester.co.uk/news/politics/approved-southern-gateway-plans-art-possible-1068696|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=About the Southern Gateway|url=https://www.chichester.gov.uk/article/29385/About-the-Southern-Gateway|url-status=live|access-date=18 May 2021|website=[[Chichester District Council]]|archive-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518222400/https://www.chichester.gov.uk/article/29385/About-the-Southern-Gateway}}</ref>

==Governance==
{{See also|History of local government in Sussex|List of mayors of Chichester}}
[[File:The Council House on North Street (geograph 6465134).jpg|thumb|[[Council House, Chichester|Council House]], North Street, headquarters of the City Council|alt=red brick building, colonaded at ground level with white pillars at the front above]]
[[File:County Hall, Chichester (geograph 4025876).jpg|thumb|[[County Hall, Chichester]], headquarters of [[West Sussex County Council]]|alt=three and four storey Georgian-style red brick building with eleven central bays and two wings, with trees and lawns in the foreground]]

=== Chichester City Council ===
Historically, Chichester was a city and [[liberty (division)|liberty]],<ref name="BHO" /> thereby largely self-governing. Although it has retained its city status, in 1888 it became a [[municipal borough]], transferring some powers to West Sussex administrative county. In 1974 the municipal borough became part of the much larger [[Chichester District]]. The City Council<ref>{{cite web|url=https://chichestercity.gov.uk/|title=Chichester City Council – The Parish Council for the City of Chichester|website=chichestercity.gov.uk|access-date=9 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180507145807/http://chichestercity.gov.uk/|archive-date=7 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> was retained but it only has the powers of a [[Parish councils in England|parish council]]; control of services is largely in the hands of [[Chichester District Council]] and [[West Sussex County Council]].

The City Council meets in the [[Council House, Chichester|Council House]] on North Street, which dates from 1731.<ref>{{cite web|title=Chichester City Council: The Council House|url=http://chichestercity.gov.uk/history/the-council-house/|access-date=28 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229052426/http://chichestercity.gov.uk/history/the-council-house/|archive-date=29 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Prior to this the City Council, and its predecessor the City Corporation, had met in [[Chichester Guildhall]]. In addition to its own council offices, those of the Chichester District and the West Sussex County Council are located in the city.

The City Council consists of eighteen elected members serving five wards of the city – North, South, East, West, and Central.<ref>{{cite web |date=10 November 2023 |title=City Councillors |url=https://chichestercity.gov.uk/person-category/councillors/ |access-date=16 July 2010 |publisher=Chichestercity.gov.uk }}</ref> Elections to the City Council last took place on Thursday 5 May 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chichester City Council elections – results – Chichester City Council |url=https://chichestercity.gov.uk/chichester-city-council-elections-results/ |access-date=10 November 2023 }}</ref> The current makeup of the City Council is shown below – those marked * are also Chichester District Councillors.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! colspan="2" |Ward
!Councillor
!Party
!Term of Office
|-
| rowspan="2" |Chichester Central
|style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}"|
|Anne Scicluna
|[[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]]
|1974–
|-
|style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}"|
|James Vivian*
|Liberal Democrats
|2023–
|-
| rowspan="4" |Chichester East
|style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}"|
|Ann Butler
|Liberal Democrats
|2023–
|-
|style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}"|
|Rhys Chant*
|Liberal Democrats
|2022– 
|-
|style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}"|
|Joanne Kondabeka
|Liberal Democrats
|2023–
|-
|style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}"|
|Kenneth Squire
|Liberal Democrats
|2023–
|-
| rowspan="4" |Chichester North
|style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}"|
|Maureen Corfield*
|Liberal Democrats
|2021–
|-
|style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}"|
|Craig Gershater
|Liberal Democrats
|2019– 
|-
|style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}"|
|Shiva Knight
|Liberal Democrats
|2023–
|-
|style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}"|
|Rhodri Moore
|Liberal Democrats
|2023–
|-
| rowspan="4" |Chichester South
|style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}"|
|Judy Gershater
|Liberal Democrats
|2023–
|-
|style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}"|
|Nick Russell<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-14 |title=Political opinion: Voters #PickNick in Chichester South By-election |url=https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/politics/political-opinion-voters-picknick-in-chichester-south-by-election-5177829 |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=SussexWorld |language=en}}</ref>
|Liberal Democrats
|2025–
|-
|style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}"|
|Sean McHale
|Liberal Democrats
|2023–
|-
|style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}"|
|Robert Miall
|Liberal Democrats
|2023–
|-
| rowspan="4" |Chichester West
|style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}"|
|Clare Apel*
|Liberal Democrats
|1989–
|-
|style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}"|
|Stuart Loxton
|Liberal Democrats
|2023–
|-
|style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}"|
|Louise Pramas
|Liberal Democrats
|2023–
|-
|style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}"|
|Sarah Quail
|Liberal Democrats
|2021–
|}

=== Parliament ===
Chichester is represented in the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] by the [[Chichester (UK Parliament constituency)|Chichester constituency]], held since [[2024 United Kingdom general election|July 2024]] by [[Jess Brown-Fuller]] for the [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gillian Keegan MP|url=https://members.parliament.uk/member/4680/career|access-date=5 June 2021|website=[[Parliament of the United Kingdom]]|archive-date=5 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605204722/https://members.parliament.uk/member/4680/career|url-status=live}}</ref> From 1660 to 1868, Chichester returned two [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|members of Parliament]], this was reduced to one member by the [[Reform Act 1867]]. The [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] is dominant, with the constituency returning a Conservative member at every election since 1868, with the exception of the [[Liberal Party (UK)|Liberal]] [[Charles Rudkin]] in [[1923 United Kingdom general election|1923]]. Between 1812 and 1894 the constituency was represented exclusively by members of the [[Duke of Lennox|Lennox family]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=MacDougall|first=Philip|title=Secret Chichester|publisher=[[Amberley Publishing]]|year=2016|isbn=978-1-4456-5039-5|chapter=Beer, Bribery and Bartering|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5ButCwAAQBAJ&q=Beer,+Bribery+and+Bartering+Chichester|access-date=30 July 2021}}</ref>

=== Arms ===
{{Infobox COA wide
|image = ChichesterCOA.png
|escutcheon = Argent Guttée-de-Sang (drops of blood) on a Chief Gules a Lion passant guardant Or.
|notes = Granted 14 August 1570, to the former Borough. The chief is shown indented in an earlier Visitation record.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://civicheraldry.co.uk/south_east.html |title=Civic Heraldry of England |publisher=Robert Young |access-date=12 March 2019 |archive-date=22 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122215252/http://civicheraldry.co.uk/south_east.html |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

The meaning and origin of the arms, granted on 14 August 1570, are not known (though the chief bears a typical [[Royal Arms of England|royal English lion]]). There is no official [[motto#Mottos in heraldry|motto]] ''per se'', but the wider [[Chichester District]] has one in [[Latin]] ({{sqc|ADHUC HIC HESTERNA}}, "The things of yesterday are still with us").<ref>{{cite web |date=22 June 2025 |title=Chichester |url=https://www.heraldry-wiki.com/wiki/Chichester |access-date=8 July 2025 |website=Heraldry of the World }}</ref>

===Freedom of the City===
The following people and organisations have received the [[Freedom of the City]] of Chichester.

* 1951 – The [[Royal Sussex Regiment]]<ref name="rhqrmp">{{cite web|title=Barracks History|url=http://www.royalsussex.org.uk/RSLHG_Roussillon_Barracks.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002151525/http://www.royalsussex.org.uk/RSLHG_Roussillon_Barracks.htm|archive-date=2 October 2013|access-date=22 April 2021|publisher=The Royal Sussex Living History Group}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=16 July 2013|title=Soldiers to exercise freedom of Chichester city|work=Chichester Observer|url=http://www.chichester.co.uk/news/top-stories/latest/soldiers-to-exercise-freedom-of-chichester-city-1-5265504|url-status=live|access-date=22 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002093409/http://www.chichester.co.uk/news/top-stories/latest/soldiers-to-exercise-freedom-of-chichester-city-1-5265504|archive-date=2 October 2013}}</ref>
* 1960 – [[RAF Tangmere]]<ref>{{cite web|title=National Archives: RAF Tangmere: Freedom of City of Chichester|url=https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C1229337|access-date=29 June 2021|archive-date=16 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716104621/https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C1229337|url-status=live}}</ref>
* 1981 – The [[Royal Military Police]]<ref name="rhqrmp" />
* 2000 – The [[West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service|West Sussex Fire Brigade]]
* 2008 – [[47th Regiment Royal Artillery]]
* 2008 – [[Charles Gordon-Lennox, 10th Duke of Richmond]]
* 2013 – [[Nicholas Frayling]]
* 2018 – [[Major (United Kingdom)|Major]] [[Tim Peake]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=REGIONAL: Tim Peake given freedom of city|date=25 February 2018 |url=https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/people/regional-tim-peake-given-freedom-city-343501|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422061403/https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/people/regional-tim-peake-given-freedom-city-343501|archive-date=22 April 2021|access-date=22 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=VIDEO: Astronaut Tim Peake praises Chichester as he receives Freedom of the City|date=25 February 2018 |url=https://www.chichester.co.uk/news/video-astronaut-tim-peake-praises-chichester-he-receives-freedom-city-835766|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422061358/https://www.chichester.co.uk/news/video-astronaut-tim-peake-praises-chichester-he-receives-freedom-city-835766|archive-date=22 April 2021|access-date=22 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Tim Peake to be awarded the Freedom of his home City &#124; Chichester City Council|url=https://chichestercity.gov.uk/tim-peake-to-be-awarded-the-freedom-of-his-home-city/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422061404/https://chichestercity.gov.uk/tim-peake-to-be-awarded-the-freedom-of-his-home-city/|archive-date=22 April 2021|access-date=22 April 2021}}</ref>
* 2021 – [[Philip Jackson (sculptor)|Philip Jackson]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Famed sculptor handed Freedom of the City award|date=21 April 2021 |url=https://www.chichester.co.uk/news/people/famed-sculptor-handed-freedom-of-the-city-award-3209546|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422061359/https://www.chichester.co.uk/news/people/famed-sculptor-handed-freedom-of-the-city-award-3209546|archive-date=22 April 2021|access-date=22 April 2021}}</ref>
* 2023 – Rodney Duggua<ref name="FoC2023">{{cite web|title=Chichester City Council: Freedom Holders|url=https://chichestercity.gov.uk/freedom-holders|access-date=26 May 2024}}</ref>
* 2023 – Roger Gibson<ref name="FoC2023" />

==Geography==
{{See also|Geography of Sussex|Geology of West Sussex}}[[File:CCA.png|thumb|The eight areas of Chichester Conservation]]
The City of Chichester is located on the [[River Lavant, West Sussex|River Lavant]] south of its gap through the [[South Downs]]. This [[Winterbourne (stream)|winterbourne]] for part of its course now runs through the city in underground culverts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sub-urban.com/lavant/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510152503/http://www.sub-urban.com/lavant/|url-status=dead|title=''Sub-Urban'' website: River Lavant|archive-date=10 May 2008}}</ref> The city's site made it an ideal place for settlement, with many ancient routeways converging here. The oldest section lies within the medieval walls of the city, which are built on Roman foundations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chichesterweb.co.uk/w1.htm |title=City Walls Walk: includes map |publisher=Chichesterweb.co.uk |access-date=16 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926190105/http://www.chichesterweb.co.uk/w1.htm |archive-date=26 September 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Chichester [[Conservation area (United Kingdom)|conservation area]], designated for its architectural and historic interest,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chichester.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=4086 |title=Chichester Council Conservation Areas |publisher=Chichester.gov.uk |access-date=16 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614031101/http://www.chichester.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=4086 |archive-date=14 June 2011  }}</ref> encompasses the whole of the Roman town, and includes many Grade I and II [[listed building]]s. Further to the north lies the separate conservation area around the former [[Graylingwell Hospital]], and to the south, the Chichester Conservation Area has been extended recently to include the newly restored canal basin and part of [[Chichester Canal]] itself. The Conservation Area has been split into eight 'character' areas, based on historic development, building type, uses and activities. Traffic density and urban acoustics have been subjects of local analysis; a 2025 study on noise pollution ranked the city as the third noisiest in Britain, highlighting impact levels on residential areas.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chichester ranked third noisiest city in Britain: new study reveals |work=[[Sussex Express]] |date=28 December 2025 |url=https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/people/chichester-ranked-third-noisiest-city-in-britain-new-study-reveals-5421552 |access-date=30 December 2025}}</ref>

===Climate===
Chichester has a [[Oceanic climate|maritime climate]]. With its position in southern England, Chichester has mild winters and cool summers. West Sussex has high sunshine levels compared with other parts of the UK with around 1,900 hours annually.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bognor Regis the sunniest spot in Britain |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/weather/8593378/Bognor-Regis-the-sunniest-spot-in-Britain.html |newspaper=Telegraph |date=28 December 2011 |access-date=28 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111206062640/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/weather/8593378/Bognor-Regis-the-sunniest-spot-in-Britain.html |archive-date=6 December 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Demography ==
The [[2011 United Kingdom census|2011 census]] recorded a population of 26,795 for the city of Chichester, forming 12,316 households.<ref name=":0">{{Cite report|url=https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/localarea?compare=E04009888|title=Chichester Parish: Local Area Report|date=2011|publisher=[[Office for National Statistics]]|access-date=9 May 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[2021 United Kingdom census|2021 census]] recorded an increase in population to 29,407, forming 13,263 households. There is a small imbalance in the [[Human sex ratio|sex ratio]], with 15,701 female residents (53.3%) and 13,706 male residents (46.7%). 26,622 residents (91%) listed their ethnic group as white.<ref name="Nomis2021">{{cite web |title=Chichester Parish: Local Area Report 2021 |url=https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/localarea?compare=E04009888 |publisher=[[Office for National Statistics]] |website=Nomis |access-date=30 December 2025}}</ref>

Chichester has one of the highest rates of empty homes in England, with 1 in every 17 houses vacant. In October 2020, 3,444 houses were vacant, of which 3,302 were second homes.<ref name="Chichester Observer">{{Cite news|date=30 March 2021|title=Chichester has one of the country's highest vacant home rates|work=[[Chichester Observer]]|url=https://www.chichester.co.uk/news/politics/chichester-has-one-of-the-countrys-highest-vacant-home-rates-3184038|access-date=21 April 2021|archive-date=21 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421173858/https://www.chichester.co.uk/news/politics/chichester-has-one-of-the-countrys-highest-vacant-home-rates-3184038|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Economy==
[[File:View Across Chichester Marina - geograph.org.uk - 405351.jpg|thumb|Chichester Marina]]
The city has a tourist industry.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chichesterweb.co.uk/ |title=The Chichester Guide |publisher=Chichester Web |access-date=16 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100722053728/http://www.chichesterweb.co.uk/ |archive-date=22 July 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> Several marinas are situated in the area together with related industries. A recent government study suggested that the area has a lot of employment with the public sector (as well as within the tourism and leisure industries), with a growing number of self-employed people in the area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chichester.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=19252|title=Creating a Prosperous and Sustainable Economy: An Economic Strategy for Chichester District 2013–2019|access-date=3 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003181838/http://www.chichester.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=19252|archive-date=3 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Culture==
{{See also|Culture of Sussex}}[[File:Theatre Oaklands Park Chichester.jpg|thumb|Chichester Festival Theatre]]

The city holds an annual four-week arts and music festival ("Festival of Chichester") held in June and July.<ref>{{cite web|date=17 May 2013|title=Festival of Chichester|url=http://www.festivalofchichester.co.uk/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130506030308/http://festivalofchichester.co.uk/|archive-date=6 May 2013|access-date=17 May 2013}}</ref>

[[Chichester Cathedral]] has a year-round programme of music, talks and other events, including free lunchtime concerts of classical music.

[[Chichester Festival Theatre]] is one of the United Kingdom's flagship producing and touring theatres, whose annual summer season attracts actors, writers and directors from the West End theatre and the USA.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Website of Chichester Festival Theatre|url=http://www.cft.org.uk/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091001071706/http://www.cft.org.uk/|archive-date=1 October 2009|access-date=16 July 2010|publisher=Cft.org.uk}}</ref>

[[Pallant House Gallery]], winner of the 2007 gallery of the year [[Gulbenkian Prize]], has a major collection of chiefly modern British art and in 2006 opened a new extension that houses the collection of Sir [[Colin St John Wilson]]. It has a changing programme of exhibitions.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pallant House Gallery|url=http://www.pallant.org.uk/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100220014819/http://www.pallant.org.uk/|archive-date=20 February 2010|access-date=16 July 2010|publisher=Pallant.org.uk}}</ref>

Chichester is home to the [[South Downs Planetarium & Science Centre]], which opened in 2001 and features a program of public star shows in its 100-seat theatre.

The [[Sloe Fair]], a [[Fair|funfair]] that dates back to the 12th Century, is held annually on 20 October in the city's Northgate car park.<ref name="Domesday Reloaded">{{cite web|title=Domesday Reloaded: Chichester's Sloe Fair|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/domesday/dblock/GB-484000-105000/page/10|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320130731/http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/domesday/dblock/GB-484000-105000/page/10|archive-date=20 March 2012|access-date=20 July 2013|work=domesday}}</ref>

Chichester Cinema at New Park<ref>{{cite web|title=Chichester Cinema at New Park|url=http://www.chichestercinema.org/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100714091258/http://www.chichestercinema.org/|archive-date=14 July 2010|access-date=16 July 2010|publisher=Chichestercinema.org}}</ref> is the city's first and only arthouse cinema. It shows a selection of mainstream, small-budget and older films 7 days a week. It hosts an annual 18-day International Film Festival in August/September. Vice-presidents are [[Maggie Smith]] and [[Kenneth Branagh]]. There is a larger, multiplex cinema located at Chichester Gate. Chichester's previous cinemas were the Olympia Electric on Northgate (1911–1922), the [[Plaza Cinema, Chichester|Plaza Cinema]] on South Street (1920–1960, the Odeon from 1945 and now Iceland supermarket), the Granada Exchange at the Corn Exchange (1922–1980) and the Gaumont on Eastgate Square (1937–1961, later the swimming baths).<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Novium Museum – Leisurely Pursuits|url=https://www.thenovium.org/article/29503/Leisurely-Pursuits|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201013184213/https://www.thenovium.org/article/29503/Leisurely-Pursuits|archive-date=13 October 2020|access-date=24 October 2020|website=www.thenovium.org}}</ref>

The Chichester Open Mic has supported regular programmes of readings by contemporary poets in the city since 2010. It also hosts a high-profile annual event under the banner Poetry and All That Jazz which included performances by [[Don Paterson]] in 2010, Sam Willetts in 2011, and [[David Harsent]] in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title=Chichester Open Mic|url=http://www.highonthewalls.tumblr.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517161758/http://highonthewalls.tumblr.com/|archive-date=17 May 2013|access-date=23 April 2012}}</ref>

In 2012 [[The Novium]], Chichester's museum, was opened by author [[Kate Mosse]].<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Chichester District Council|title=Kate Mosse to open new museum in Chichester|url=http://www.chichester.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=20365|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202102744/http://www.chichester.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=20365|archive-date=2 February 2014}}</ref> Designed by the architect [[Keith Williams (architect)|Keith Williams]], is approximately 2.4 times the size of the previous museum in Little London. Key highlights are Roman Bath House, Jupiter Stone and Chilgrove Mosaic.

In May 2013 Chichester hosted the [[Chichester Street Art Festival]] week where international street artists created colourful murals around the city.<ref>{{cite web|title=GALLERY: Chichester Street Art|url=http://www.chichester.co.uk/what-s-on/gallery-chichester-street-art-1-5070710|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140113030316/http://www.chichester.co.uk/what-s-on/gallery-chichester-street-art-1-5070710|archive-date=13 January 2014|access-date=10 May 2013|work=chichester.co.uk}}</ref>

Chichester is mentioned in a 1992 episode of ''[[A Bit of Fry & Laurie|A Bit of Fry and Laurie]]'', the 2003 film ''[[Bright Young Things (film)|Bright Young Things]]'' directed by [[Stephen Fry]], the 2005 film ''[[Stoned (film)|Stoned]]'' about [[Brian Jones]] from [[the Rolling Stones]], and also in the 2009 film ''[[Sherlock Holmes (2009 film)|Sherlock Holmes]]''. The city is periodically referred to in ''[[Call the Midwife]]'', as the seat of the Order of Saint [[Raymond Nonnatus]], the mother house's exterior being depicted in episode 1.6.

The [[West Sussex Record Office]] is in Orchard Street and contains the county archives. On 21 April 2017 it was announced that a [[Physical history of the United States Declaration of Independence#The Sussex Declaration|second parchment manuscript copy]] of the [[United States Declaration of Independence]], now termed ''The Sussex Declaration'', had been discovered in the archives.<ref name="ADoI-WP">{{cite news|last1=Wang|first1=Amy B.|date=24 April 2017|title=A rare copy of the Declaration of Independence has been found — in England|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2017/04/24/a-rare-copy-of-the-declaration-of-independence-has-been-found-in-england/|url-status=live|url-access=limited|access-date=4 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704124047/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2017/04/24/a-rare-copy-of-the-declaration-of-independence-has-been-found-in-england/|archive-date=4 July 2018}}</ref><ref name="DDbusk">{{cite news|last=Moore|first=Ben (video)|title=Declaration of Independence found in Chichester archives|website=BBC|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-sussex-44703928|url-status=live|access-date=4 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704003338/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-sussex-44703928/declaration-of-independence-found-in-chichester-archives|archive-date=4 July 2018}}</ref>

Chichester has one of the highest rates of empty homes in England, with 1 in every 17 houses vacant. In October 2020, 3,444 houses were vacant, of which 3,302 were second homes.<ref name="Chichester Observer"/>

===Music===
Founded in 1881, the Chichester Symphony Orchestra has both amateur and professional players. Three concerts are given each year with the summer concert being part of the Chichester Festivities while the autumn concert is included in the Chichester Cathedral Lunchtime Series.<ref>{{cite news|date=23 July 2018|title=Review: Chichester Symphony Orchestra|work=Mid-Sussex Times|url=https://www.midsussextimes.co.uk/arts-and-culture/review-chichester-symphony-orchestra-702901|access-date=5 February 2021|archive-date=11 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211160824/https://www.midsussextimes.co.uk/arts-and-culture/review-chichester-symphony-orchestra-702901|url-status=live}}</ref> The Chichester Singers, under musical director Jonathan Willcocks, perform classical and contemporary works in concert.<ref>{{cite news|date=29 October 2018|title=Chichester Singers offer classic and contemporary|work=West Sussex County Times|url=https://www.wscountytimes.co.uk/arts-and-culture/chichester-singers-offer-classic-and-contemporary-236537|access-date=5 February 2021|archive-date=16 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716104622/https://www.wscountytimes.co.uk/arts-and-culture/chichester-singers-offer-classic-and-contemporary-236537|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=29 June 2017|title=Review: The Chichester Singers, Chichester Cathedral|work=Worthing Herald|url=https://www.worthingherald.co.uk/arts-and-culture/review-chichester-singers-chichester-cathedral-847344|access-date=5 February 2021|archive-date=13 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213083458/https://www.worthingherald.co.uk/arts-and-culture/review-chichester-singers-chichester-cathedral-847344|url-status=live}}</ref>

The ''Chichester RAJF'' (From "Real Ale and Jazz Festival"), was a four-day festival of music and real ale held each July in tents beside the 13th century Guildhall in Priory Park.<ref>{{cite web|title=Chichester RAJF website|url=http://www.chichester-rajf.com/|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419205645/http://www.chichester-rajf.com/|archive-date=19 April 2014|access-date=16 July 2010|publisher=Chichester-raja.com}}</ref> Founded in 1980 by members of Chichester Hockey Club as a fund-raising event, the festival's early years focused on [[traditional jazz]] and featured performers such as [[Kenny Ball]], [[Humphrey Lyttelton]] and [[Kenny Baker (trumpeter)|Kenny Baker]]. In the 1990s blues and R&B were introduced and acts including [[Status Quo (band)|Status Quo]], [[Blondie (band)|Blondie]], [[Boney M]], [[Howard Jones (British musician)|Howard Jones]], [[Go West (band)|Go West]], [[The Pretenders]] and [[Simple Minds]] played the festival up until its final staging, in 2011.{{citation needed|date=June 2018}}

===Twinning===
The City of Chichester has been [[Sister city|twinned]] with [[Chartres]], France, since February 1959 and [[Ravenna]], Italy, since December 1996<ref name="Archant twinning 3">{{cite web|title=British towns twinned with French towns ''[via WaybackMachine.com]''|url=http://www.completefrance.com/language-culture/twin-towns|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130705094933/http://www.completefrance.com/language-culture/twin-towns|archive-date=5 July 2013|access-date=20 July 2013|work=Archant Community Media Ltd}}</ref><ref name="Twin-Towns">{{cite web|title=Twinning|url=https://chichestercity.gov.uk/services/twinning/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002022853/https://chichestercity.gov.uk/services/twinning/|archive-date=2 October 2017|access-date=27 May 2019|website=Chichester City Council}}</ref> and [[Speyer]], Germany, since 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=Twinning – Chichester City Council |url=https://chichestercity.gov.uk/twinning/ |access-date=28 August 2023 }}</ref>  Friendship links have also been established with [[Marktredwitz]] in Germany, [[Kursk]] in Russia and [[Valletta]] in Malta.<ref name="Twin-Towns" />

==Local media==
Local news and television programmes are provided by [[BBC South]] and [[ITV Meridian]]. Television signals are received from the [[Rowridge transmitting station|Rowridge]] TV transmitter.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Rowridge | title=Rowridge (Isle of Wight, England) Full Freeview transmitter | date=May 2004 }}</ref>

Chichester's local radio stations are [[BBC Radio Sussex]] on 104.8 FM, [[Heart South]] on 96.7 FM, [[Greatest Hits Radio West Sussex]] on 96.6 FM and community based radio stations V2 Radio which broadcast online and Chichester Hospital Radio that broadcast on 1431 AM from the St Richard's Hospital in the town.<ref>{{cite web|title=V2 Radio|url=https://www.v2radio.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Chichester Hospital Roadio|url=https://www.chr1431.org.uk}}</ref>

The city is served by the weekly newspaper ''[[Chichester Observer]]'', which publishes its digital news via the SussexWorld platform.<ref>{{cite news |title=New county-wide website brings together 16 local news brands |first=Paul |last=Linford |work=HoldtheFrontPage |date=11 February 2022 |access-date=28 December 2025 |url=https://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2022/news/new-county-wide-website-brings-together-16-local-news-brands/}}</ref>

==Landmarks==
{{See also|Grade I listed buildings in West Sussex#Chichester|Grade II* listed buildings in West Sussex#Chichester|label 1=Grade I listed buildings in Chichester District|label 2=Grade II* listed buildings in Chichester District}}
[[File:Chichester Cross, c.1831.png|thumb|120px|[[Chichester Cross]], built {{Circa|1477–1503}}; depicted by [[Edward Story]], c. 1831]]
[[Chichester Cross]], which is a type of [[buttercross]] familiar in old market towns, was built in 1501 as a covered marketplace,<ref>{{cite web|title=Chichester City Cross|url=http://www.westsussex.info/chichester-cross.shtml|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110106011600/http://www.westsussex.info/chichester-cross.shtml|archive-date=6 January 2011|access-date=1 September 2010|publisher=West Sussex.info}}</ref> and stands at the intersection of the four main roads in the centre of the city.

[[Chichester Cathedral]], formally known as the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, is the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Chichester. It is a Grade I listed building from 1075.

The Butter Market in North Street was designed by [[John Nash (architect)|John Nash]], and was opened in 1808 as a food and produce market.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Saunders|first=Pat|title=Chichester Butter Market|url=https://www.thenovium.org/article/28828/Chichester-Butter-Market|url-status=live|access-date=11 May 2021|website=[[The Novium]]|archive-date=17 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117094600/https://www.thenovium.org/article/28828/Chichester-Butter-Market}}</ref>

The [[Corn Exchange, Chichester|Corn Exchange]] on East Street was built in 1833, one of the first in the country.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Corn Exchange|url=http://www.chichester.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1910|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614031111/http://www.chichester.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1910|archive-date=14 June 2011|access-date=16 July 2010|publisher=Chichester.gov.uk}}</ref> From the 1880s it was used for drama and entertainment and became a cinema from the 1910s.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Novium: Chichester Corn Exchange|url=http://www.thenovium.org/article/28834/Chichester-Corn-Exchange|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201034716/http://www.thenovium.org/article/28834/Chichester-Corn-Exchange|archive-date=1 December 2017|access-date=20 November 2017}}</ref>  An attempt to convert it to a bingo hall was refused in 1977.<ref name="Chi2posh4bingo">{{cite web|last=Row|first=Ken|title=Cinema Treasures: Granada Chichester|url=http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/24532|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024024512/http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/24532|archive-date=24 October 2015|access-date=20 November 2017}}</ref> As it could not be converted to a [[Multiplex (movie theater)|multiplex]] it was closed on 9 August 1980.<ref name="Chi2posh4bingo" /> It remained closed and unused for six years until the front was opened as a fast food restaurant and the rear converted for offices.<ref name="Chi2posh4bingo" /><ref name="ChiPost201706">{{cite news|date=9 June 2017|title=Changing Times – Old corn market house has changed hands a few times going back to the 18th century|publisher="Chichester Post|url=http://www.chichesterpost.co.uk/2017/06/changing-times-old-corn-market-house-changed-hands-times-going-back-18th-century/|url-status=live|access-date=20 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201030750/http://www.chichesterpost.co.uk/2017/06/changing-times-old-corn-market-house-changed-hands-times-going-back-18th-century/|archive-date=1 December 2017}}</ref> From 2005 the front has been used by a clothing retailer.<ref name="Fashionable">{{cite news|date=23 June 2005|title=Fashion retailer Next to move into former MacDonalds site|publisher=Chichester Observer|url=http://www.chichester.co.uk/news/fashion-retailer-next-to-move-into-former-macdonalds-site-1-1497087|url-status=live|access-date=20 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201182042/https://www.chichester.co.uk/news/fashion-retailer-next-to-move-into-former-macdonalds-site-1-1497087|archive-date=1 December 2017}}</ref>

In 1921, [[Sir William Robertson, 1st Baronet|Sir William Robertson]] unveiled a war memorial in Eastgate Square for soldiers who died in [[World War I]]. The memorial was relocated to [[Litten Gardens]] in 1940. The city council subsequently added the names of soldiers who died in World War II.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Litten Gardens|url=https://chichestercity.gov.uk/the-council/history/war-memorial/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427222128/https://chichestercity.gov.uk/the-council/history/war-memorial/|archive-date=27 April 2021|access-date=19 May 2021|website=Chichester City Council}}</ref>

==Transport==

===Railway===
[[File:Chichester Railway Station, West Sussex, England (2).jpg|thumb|Chichester station in 2021|alt=footbridge in the foreground and two-platform railway station beyond]]

[[Chichester railway station]], on the [[West Coastway line]], has regular services to [[Brighton railway station|Brighton]], [[London Victoria station|London Victoria]] via [[Gatwick Airport railway station|Gatwick Airport]], [[Portsmouth Harbour railway station|Portsmouth]] and [[Southampton Central railway station|Southampton]].

In the past, there was a branch line to [[Midhurst Railways|Midhurst]] in the north and a [[light railway]], built by Colonel [[H. F. Stephens]]; it was known as the [[West Sussex Railway]], which ran south to [[Selsey]], and closed in 1935.

===Roads===
Chichester is the hub of several main roads. The most important of these is the [[A27 road|A27]] coastal trunk road, which connects [[Eastbourne]] with [[Southampton]]; it passes to the south of the city. The A27 connects Chichester to the [[M3 motorway (Great Britain)|M3]], [[M27 motorway|M27]] and [[M275 motorway|M275]] motorways. The secondary coastal road, the [[A259 road|A259]], which begins its journey at [[Folkestone]] in Kent, joins the A27 here and ends in [[Havant]] to the west. Both of those roads make east–west connections.

Three roads give Chichester access to the north: the [[A29 road|A29]] to London joins the A27 several miles to the east of the city; the [[A285 road|A285]] runs north-east to [[Petworth]] and beyond; and the [[A286 road|A286]] runs northwards towards [[Haslemere]], Surrey.<ref name="OS">Ordnance Survey (via coordinates at top of page)</ref>

===Buses===
Chichester bus station, which is adjacent to the railway station, is the local hub for bus services. Operators include [[Stagecoach South|Stagecoach in the South Downs]] and Compass Travel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tiscon-maps-stagecoachbus.s3.amazonaws.com/RouteMaps(1)/South/Chichester%20Network%20Map_2016_V1.pdf|title=Stagecoach Chichester network map|access-date=14 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116192719/https://tiscon-maps-stagecoachbus.s3.amazonaws.com/RouteMaps(1)/South/Chichester%20Network%20Map_2016_V1.pdf|archive-date=16 January 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.compass-travel.co.uk/compass-timetables/bus-timetables/bus-timetables/|title=Bus Timetables Compass Travel – Compass Travel|website=www.compass-travel.co.uk|date=24 January 2014|access-date=14 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116162709/http://www.compass-travel.co.uk/compass-timetables/bus-timetables/bus-timetables/|archive-date=16 January 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Air===
[[File:Goodwood Airfield - geograph.org.uk - 80659.jpg|thumb|Chichester/Goodwood Airport; the perimeter road forms [[Goodwood Circuit|Goodwood motor racing circuit]]|alt=aerial view of two runway grass airfield and perimeter road]]

[[Chichester/Goodwood Airport]] is situated north of the city.<ref name="OS" />

===Paths===
There are several [[long-distance trails|long-distance routes]] for walkers, cyclists and riders in the area; some of these routes, like the ''Centurion Way'' to [[West Dean, West Sussex|West Dean]], start here. Centurion Way was opened in the mid-1990s and runs along the former railway line. The name was chosen by Ben Adams, a local schoolboy who won a competition to name the path.{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}

In summer 2020, [[COVID-19 pandemic|COVID-19]] temporary [[Pop-up bicycle lane|pop-up segregated cycle lanes]] were implemented predominately around parts of the city inner ring road and associated routes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/media/14520/pop_up_cycle_chichester_res.pdf|title=Pop-up cycle lane: Chichester scheme|website=West Sussex County Council|access-date=18 August 2020|archive-date=28 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928081002/https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/media/14520/pop_up_cycle_chichester_res.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Education==
{{See also|List of schools in West Sussex}}
There are three secondary schools in Chichester: [[Chichester Free School]] (which also has a primary sector in Bognor Regis), [[Bishop Luffa School]] and [[Chichester High School]] formed after the [[Chichester High School For Boys|Chichester High School for Boys]] and Chichester High School for Girls merged in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Truscott|first=Charlotte|title=Chichester High School|url=https://www.thenovium.org/article/29501/Chichester-High-School|url-status=live|access-date=11 May 2021|website=[[The Novium]]|archive-date=11 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511192903/https://www.thenovium.org/article/29501/Chichester-High-School}}</ref> In the primary sector there are two infant-only schools: Lancastrian and Rumboldswyke; the Central C of E Junior School; six all-level schools;<ref>They are the Jessie Younghusband Primary School; Kingsham Primary School; Parklands Community School; Chichester Free School, Portfield Community Primary and Singleton C of E Primary School</ref> and two special-needs schools at Fordwater and St Anthony's.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}

In the independent sector there are three-day preparatory schools ([[Oakwood Preparatory School]], [[The Prebendal School]] and [[Westbourne House School]]).

The higher and further educational institutions include the Chichester High School Sixth Form. It offers a range of A-Level and vocational courses. Bishop Luffa School sixth form also offers a range of A-Level courses and [[Chichester College]], formerly Chichester College of Arts, Science and Technology; offers both foundation-level and degree-equivalent courses, mainly focused towards vocational qualifications for industry.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}

The [[University of Chichester]]<ref>The establishment was initially called ''Bishop Otter College'', although throughout its history it has had many names: ''West Sussex Institute of Higher Education'', then ''Chichester Institute of Higher Education'', then ''University College Chichester''</ref> was granted degree-awarding body status by the [[Qualifications and Curriculum Authority]] in October 2005.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hill|first=Sofia|title=Chichester University|url=https://www.thenovium.org/article/28830/Chichester-University|url-status=live|access-date=11 May 2021|website=[[The Novium]]|archive-date=11 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511191542/https://www.thenovium.org/article/28830/Chichester-University}}</ref>

==Religion==
{{See also|Religion in Sussex}}
{{Bar box |float=right |title=Religions adhered to by Chichester residents (2021 Census)<ref name="Nomis2021">{{cite web |title=Chichester Parish: Religion (TS030) - 2021 Census |url=https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/localarea?compare=E04009888 |publisher=[[Office for National Statistics]] |website=Nomis |access-date=30 December 2025}}</ref> |titlebar=#DDD |width=350px |bars= {{bar percent|Christian|green|47.7}} {{bar percent|No religion|orange|42.5}} {{bar percent|Other|blue|3.4}} {{bar percent|Religion not stated|gray|6.4}} |caption=Figures from the 2021 census. Religions with less than 1% adherence grouped as Other. }}
[[File:Chichester Cathedral, south-west aspect.jpg|left|thumb|[[Chichester Cathedral]]'s west front and millennium statue of Saint [[Richard of Chichester]]]]
[[Chichester Cathedral]], founded in the 11th century, is dedicated to the Holy [[Trinity]], and contains a shrine to Saint [[Richard of Chichester]]. Its spire, built of the weak local stone, collapsed and was rebuilt during the 19th century. In the south aisle of the cathedral a glass panel in the floor enables a view of the remains of a [[Ancient Roman architecture|Roman]] [[mosaic]] [[Pavers (flooring)|pavement]]. The cathedral is unusual in Britain in having a separate [[bell tower]] a few metres away from the main building, rather than integrated into it. Within the cathedral there is the medieval tomb of Richard FitzAlan, Earl of Arundel and his wife Eleanor Plantagenet, the inspiration of the poem "[[An Arundel Tomb]]", by [[Philip Larkin]]. A memorial statue exists of [[William Huskisson]], once member of parliament for the city, but best remembered as the first man to be run over by a railway engine.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Still|first=Lorna|title=William Huskisson|url=https://www.thenovium.org/article/29502/William-Huskisson|url-status=live|access-date=11 May 2021|website=[[The Novium]]|archive-date=17 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117082238/https://www.thenovium.org/article/29502/William-Huskisson}}</ref> [[Leonard Bernstein]]'s ''[[Chichester Psalms]]'' were commissioned for the cathedral.

In addition to the cathedral there are five [[Church of England]] churches, [[St Richard of Chichester Church, Chichester|St Richard's Roman Catholic church]] and nine religious buildings of other denominations.<ref>{{cite web|title=''Chichester Web'': churches of Chichester|url=http://www.chichesterweb.co.uk/07churches.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926190131/http://www.chichesterweb.co.uk/07churches.htm|archive-date=26 September 2011|access-date=16 July 2010|publisher=Chichesterweb.co.uk}}</ref> [[Redundant church]]es include the [[Listed building|Grade I-listed]] [[St John the Evangelist's Church, Chichester|St John the Evangelist's Church]], an octagonal white-brick [[proprietary chapel]] with an impressive [[Pulpit|three-decker pulpit]].<ref name="NHLE-1026696">{{NHLE|num=1026696|desc=Former Church of St John the Evangelist, St John's Street (East Side), Chichester, Chichester, West Sussex|year=2011|access-date=28 April 2011}}</ref><ref name="BMR58">{{cite book|last1=Beevers|first1=David|title=Sussex Churches and Chapels|last2=Marks|first2=Richard|last3=Roles|first3=John|publisher=The Royal Pavilion, Art Gallery and Museums|year=1989|isbn=978-0-948723-11-7|location=Brighton|page=58}}</ref>

St Mary's Hospital Almshouses are a 13th-century religious foundation located at St Martin's Square, providing housing and care for elderly people from the Chichester diocese.<ref>{{cite web |title=History |url=https://www.stmarysalmshouses.org.uk/ |website=St Mary's Almshouses |access-date=9 April 2023}}</ref>

==Sport and leisure==
{{See also|Sport in Sussex}}
[[Chichester City F.C.]] is the main [[Association football|football]] club and is based at [[Oaklands Park, Chichester|Oaklands Park]]. They play in the [[Isthmian League|Isthmian League South East Division]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://chichestercityfc.co.uk/|title=Chichester City FC website|publisher=chichestercityfc.co.uk|access-date=19 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403105237/https://chichestercityfc.co.uk/|archive-date=3 April 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Rugby union|rugby]] club, Chichester R.F.C., is also based at Oaklands Park.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chichesterrfc.co.uk/ |title=Chichester RFC website |publisher=Chichesterrfc.co.uk |date=26 June 2010 |access-date=16 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090826084557/http://www.chichesterrfc.co.uk/ |archive-date=26 August 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Chichester Priory Park Cricket Club play at [[Priory Park, Chichester|Priory Park]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cppcc.co.uk/|title=Chichester Priory Park Cricket Club|access-date=19 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chichesterprioryparkcc.co.uk/|title=Chichester Priory Park Cricket Club|access-date=17 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518133129/http://chichesterprioryparkcc.co.uk/|archive-date=18 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Chichester Hockey Club]] play at Chichester College.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chichester-hockey.co.uk|title=Chichester Hockey Club|access-date=19 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://chichesterhockey.onsport.com/|title=Chichester Priory Park Hockey Club|access-date=17 March 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411144542/http://chichesterhockey.onsport.com/|archive-date=11 April 2013}}</ref>

Chichester is also host to a Detachment of the [[Army Cadet Force]] who meet several times a week at the detachment located within the former [[Roussillon Barracks|Roussilon Barracks]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Quick Guide To Cadet Badges And Ranks |url=https://armycadets.com/features/quick-guide-to-cadet-badges-and-ranks/ |access-date=10 September 2023 |website=Army Cadets UK }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=26 May 2021 |title=The Ministry of Defence cadet forces |url=https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-cadet-forces-and-mods-youth-work |access-date=10 September 2023 |website=GOV.UK }}</ref>

The city is home to the Chichester Sharks Flag American Football Club who are members of the BAFA National League.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chichestersharks.co.uk/|title=Chichester Sharks flag American football website|publisher=Chichestersharks.co.uk|access-date=16 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100814151834/http://www.chichestersharks.co.uk/|archive-date=14 August 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>

Chichester Runners and A.C. is a club with runners and athletes of all ages. Other sports include cycling.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.southdownvelo.org.uk/ |title=Southdown Velo cycling club |publisher=Southdownvelo.org.uk |date=12 July 2010 |access-date=16 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100704093808/http://www.southdownvelo.org.uk/ |archive-date=4 July 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Notable people==
{{Main|List of people from Chichester}}
<!--Please DO NOT add any more people here unless you add a source. All information on Wikipedia should be sourced, even if there is a Wikipedia article on the person-->
[[File:Timothy Peake, official portrait.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|Tim Peake, first British [[European Space Agency|ESA]] astronaut]]
[[William Juxon]], born 1582, attended The Prebendal School before studying at [[University of Oxford|Oxford]]. He became chaplain to [[Charles I of England|Charles I]] and was the last English cleric to hold both church and secular high office. He became [[Archbishop of Canterbury]] following the [[Stuart Restoration|Restoration]].<ref name="mason">{{cite book| title=Serving God and Mammon: William Juxon, 1582–1663 | first=Thomas | last=Mason | isbn=978-0-87413-251-9 | year=1985 | publisher=University of Delaware Press }}</ref> [[William Cawley]], born 1602 in Chichester, was on the other side of the [[English Civil War]]. Also educated at Oxford University he became the Member of Parliament for Chichester in 1628 and for Midhurst in 1640. He was a [[regicide]] and served on the Council of State during the [[English Commonwealth|Commonwealth]], being forced to flee to Switzerland after the Restoration.<ref name="ODNBWC">T. Peacey, 'Cawley, William (bap. 1602, d. 1667)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, Jan 2008</ref> A later MP for the town, [[William Huskisson]] was the first widely reported person to die in a railway accident, when he was run over by [[Stephenson's Rocket]] at the [[opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway]]. In modern times middle-distance runner [[Christopher Chataway]] was elected to Parliament in 1969.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1972/jan/19/television-and-radio-broadcasting-1|title=Hansard|date=19 January 1972|access-date=27 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724032129/https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1972/jan/19/television-and-radio-broadcasting-1|archive-date=24 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

Military people have included [[Edric Gifford, 3rd Baron Gifford]] who won a Victoria Cross during the [[Anglo-Ashanti wars#Third Anglo-Ashanti War|Third Anglo-Ashanti War]]. General [[Charles Harington (British Army officer, born 1872)|Charles Harington Harington]] served in the [[Second Boer War]] and as a staff officer throughout World War I,<ref>{{cite ODNB|url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/33712|title=Harington, Sir Charles (1872–1940)|first=Geoffrey S.|last=Powell|date=September 2004|edition=May 2006|doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/33712|access-date=24 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304221204/http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/33712|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=live}}{{subscription required}}</ref> and military theorist Major General [[J. F. C. Fuller]] planned the first large scale tank assault at the [[Battle of Cambrai (1917)|Battle of Cambrai]] in 1917.<ref>Tucker, Spencer C., ''The European Powers in the First World War: An Encyclopedia'', Routledge, 2013, {{ISBN|978-1-135-50701-5}}, p. 280</ref>

Artists who were born or lived most of their lives in Chichester include [[Richard Buckner (artist)|Richard Buckner]], [[Heywood Hardy]], [[James Hayllar]], [[William Shayer]] and [[George Smith (English artist)|George Smith]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=Chichester Artists|last1=Stewart|first1=Brian|last2=Cutten|first2=Mervyn|publisher=Bladon Press|year=1987|isbn=978-0-9512814-0-6|location=Canterbury, Kent}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=The Hardy Family of Artists: Frederick Daniel, George, Heywood, James and their descendants|last=Hardy|first=Kimber G.|publisher=ACC Art Books|year=2016|isbn=978-1-85149-826-0|location=Woodbridge, Suffolk|pages=68–155}}</ref> Author [[Kate Mosse]] (born 1961) studied at [[Chichester High School For Girls]], living in Chichester until moving to [[Oxford]] to attend New College. She is author of the first main-stage new play by a woman at Chichester Festival Theatre, an adaptation of her novel ''The Taxidermist's Daughter'', set in and around Chichester.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cft.org.uk/whats-on/event/the-taxidermists-daughter |title=The Taxidermist's Daughter &#124; Chichester Festival Theatre |access-date=26 February 2020 |archive-date=26 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226173802/https://www.cft.org.uk/whats-on/event/the-taxidermists-daughter |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Tim Peake]], who became the first official British astronaut when he arrived on the [[International Space Station]] in December 2015, was born in Chichester in 1972. Peake attended the Chichester High School for Boys,<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/science/article6326500.ece | title=Briton Major Timothy Peake named as Europe's latest astronaut | date=20 May 2009 | publisher=Times Online | access-date=27 March 2010 | location=London | first1=Charles | last1=Bremner | first2=Mark | last2=Henderson | first3=Hannah | last3=Devlin | archive-date=22 January 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122232332/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/ | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=whoswho>{{Who's Who | title=PEAKE, Timothy Nigel | id = U281695 | volume = 2016 | edition = online [[Oxford University Press]]|location=Oxford}}</ref> which now has a Sports and Conference centre named after him and opened by him.{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}} [[Edward B. Titchener|Edward Bradford Titchener]], born in Chichester, created the school of thought in psychology that described the structure of the mind: [[structuralism]].<ref name="ProctorEvans2014">{{cite journal|last1=Proctor|first1=Robert W|last2=Evans|first2=Rand|title=E. B. Titchener, Women Psychologists and the Experimentalists|journal=American Journal of Psychology|date=Winter 2014|volume=127|issue=4|pages=501–526|doi=10.5406/amerjpsyc.127.4.0501|pmid=25603585}}</ref>

[[Tom Odell]], who was born in Chichester, is a singer and songwriter who gained success with his album, ''[[Wrong Crowd]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Harper|first=Leah|date=15 December 2013|title=On my radar: Tom Odell's cultural highlights|work=[[The Guardian]]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2013/dec/15/tom-odell-radar-interview-haldern|access-date=13 May 2021|archive-date=13 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513083239/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2013/dec/15/tom-odell-radar-interview-haldern|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Anohni Hegarty]] was born in Chichester and lived there for the first 10 years of her life.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Fox|first=Killian|date=16 July 2023|title=On my radar: Anohni's cultural highlights|work=[[The Guardian]]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jul/16/on-my-radar-anohni-cultural-highlights|access-date=20 July 2025}}</ref>

<!--Please DO NOT add any more people here unless you add a source. All information on Wikipedia should be sourced, even if there is a Wikipedia article on the person-->
== Public services ==
{{See also|Healthcare in Sussex}}[[Law enforcement in the United Kingdom#Types of law enforcement agency|Territorial policing]] in Chichester is provided by [[Sussex Police]], who have a station and a custody suite in Chichester on Kingsham Road.<ref>{{Cite news|date=20 July 2017|title=Thousands gather for last open day at Chichester Police Station|work=[[Chichester Observer]]|url=https://www.chichester.co.uk/news/thousands-gather-last-open-day-chichester-police-station-1098273|access-date=18 May 2021|archive-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518204714/https://www.chichester.co.uk/news/thousands-gather-last-open-day-chichester-police-station-1098273|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Cipirska|first=Isabella|date=4 September 2020|title=Chichester's custody suite to be reopened temporarily|work=[[Chichester Observer]]|url=https://www.chichester.co.uk/news/crime/chichesters-custody-suite-be-reopened-temporarily-2962046|access-date=18 May 2021|archive-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518204713/https://www.chichester.co.uk/news/crime/chichesters-custody-suite-be-reopened-temporarily-2962046|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Police and crime commissioner|Police and Crime Commissioner]] is [[Katy Bourne]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Powling|first=Joshua|date=10 May 2021|title=Conservative Katy Bourne re-elected as Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner|work=[[Chichester Observer]]|url=https://www.chichester.co.uk/news/politics/conservative-katy-bourne-re-elected-as-sussex-police-and-crime-commissioner-3231373|access-date=18 May 2021|archive-date=13 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513170138/https://www.chichester.co.uk/news/politics/conservative-katy-bourne-re-elected-as-sussex-police-and-crime-commissioner-3231373|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Fire services in the United Kingdom|Statutory emergency fire and rescue service]] is provided by the [[West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service]], which has a station in Northgate.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Saunders|first=Pat|title=Chichester Fire Brigade|url=https://www.thenovium.org/article/28839/Chichester-Fire-Brigade|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117091619/https://www.thenovium.org/article/28839/Chichester-Fire-Brigade|archive-date=17 January 2021|access-date=18 May 2021|website=[[The Novium|The Novium Museum]]}}</ref>

[[St Richard's Hospital]], on Spitalfield Lane, is a medium-sized [[NHS]] hospital administered by the [[University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=St Richard's Hospital|url=https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/hospitals/st-richards-hospital/|url-status=live|access-date=18 May 2021|website=[[University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust]]|archive-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518201110/https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/hospitals/st-richards-hospital/}}</ref> The [[South East Coast Ambulance Service]] provides emergency patient transport to and from this facility. [[Nuffield Health]] operates a [[Private hospital#United Kingdom|private hospital]] in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chichester Hospital, Private Hospital in Sussex|url=https://www.nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/chichester|url-status=live|access-date=18 May 2021|website=[[Nuffield Health]]|archive-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518201108/https://www.nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/chichester}}</ref>

Chichester's [[distribution network operator]] for electricity is [[Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks]], and for gas is [[SGN (company)|SGN]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Who's my energy supplier or network operator?|url=https://www.energynetworks.org/operating-the-networks/whos-my-network-operator|url-status=live|access-date=18 May 2021|website=[[Energy Networks Association (United Kingdom)|Energy Networks Association]]|archive-date=13 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513141837/https://www.energynetworks.org/operating-the-networks/whos-my-network-operator}}</ref> [[Portsmouth Water]] manages Chichester's [[drinking water]], whilst [[Southern Water]] manages the city's [[wastewater]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Stack|first=Joe|date=5 November 2019|title=Chichester and Bognor water supplier named as 'one of the best in the industry'|work=[[Chichester Observer]]|url=https://www.chichester.co.uk/news/people/chichester-and-bognor-water-supplier-named-one-best-industry-1304899|access-date=18 May 2021|archive-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518201108/https://www.chichester.co.uk/news/people/chichester-and-bognor-water-supplier-named-one-best-industry-1304899|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Powling|first=Joshua|date=16 December 2020|title='Madness' to build houses without adequate sewage capacity|work=[[Chichester Observer]]|url=https://www.chichester.co.uk/news/politics/madness-build-houses-without-adequate-sewage-capacity-3068109|access-date=18 May 2021|archive-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518214650/https://www.chichester.co.uk/news/politics/madness-build-houses-without-adequate-sewage-capacity-3068109|url-status=live}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==

* {{Cite book|last=Eddleston|first=John J.|title=Chichester in the Great War|publisher=[[Pen & Sword Military]]|year=2016|isbn=978-1-78346-328-2|oclc=968339555}}
* {{Cite book|last=Westman|first=Andrew|title=Chichester City Walls|publisher=[[Museum of London Archaeology]]|year=2012|isbn=978-0-9573018-0-1|oclc=833299465}}
*{{Cite book|last=Down|first=Alec|title=Roman Chichester|year=1988|publisher=Phillimore|location=Chichester|oclc=611635982|isbn=978-0-85033-435-7}}
*{{Cite book |last=Sharp |first=Thomas |author-link=Thomas Wilfred Sharp |title=Georgian City: A plan for the preservation and improvement of Chichester |year=1949 |publisher=The Architectural Press |location=London}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links|auto=yes|commonscat=yes}}
* [http://www.chichester.gov.uk/ Chichester District Council]
* [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=41660 British History Online – The City of Chichester – Historical Introduction]
* {{Cite NIE|wstitle=Chichester|short=x}}

{{Chichester}}
{{West Sussex}}
{{UK cities}}
{{Major towns of Roman Britain}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Chichester| ]]
[[Category:Cities in South East England]]
[[Category:County towns in England]]
[[Category:Local government in West Sussex]]
[[Category:Market towns in West Sussex]]
[[Category:Ports of the Staple]]
[[Category:Towns in West Sussex]]