Chichester Cathedral

Religious Site Norman cathedral in Chichester with medieval furnishings

Norman-origin cathedral in Chichester city centre, notable for its 12th-century plan, spire, medieval and modern stained glass and regular choral services.

Main image

Chichester Cathedral is the Anglican cathedral and the seat of the Bishop of Chichester in the city of Chichester, West Sussex, England. The cathedral was founded in the late 11th century following the Norman reorganization of the English church.

The building displays a mix of Norman and later medieval Gothic architecture, with a notable nave and chancel area that contain historic carved details and memorials. Visitors also come to see the crypt, the cathedral close, and the collection of ecclesiastical fittings and tombs.

Established soon after the Norman Conquest, the cathedral was built to serve the newly located episcopal see and was expanded and altered across the medieval period. It has undergone restoration and repair in subsequent centuries while retaining core medieval fabric.

The cathedral stands within Chichester city centre in West Sussex, close to the city streets, market square, and civic buildings, and is easily reached on foot from local transport points.

  • Founding: Founded in the years after the Norman Conquest, the cathedral has an origin date in the late 11th century and remains the seat of the Bishop of Chichester.

What to See #

  • Crypt: The cathedral's Norman-era crypt, one of the older surviving parts of the structure, located below the eastern end and showing early Romanesque masonry.
  • Nave and chancel: The main nave and chancel, featuring medieval stonework, choir stalls, and historic tombs of regional bishops and patrons.
  • Close and precincts: The Cathedral Close and surrounding precincts that frame views of the building and provide pedestrian access from the city centre.
Chichester Cathedral
The Precincts, Chichester PO19 1PX, United Kingdom
50.8363, -0.7808
General entry free (donations welcome); some guided tours or special events may have a charge

How to Get to Chichester Cathedral #

Chichester Cathedral sits in the heart of Chichester city. The cathedral is about a 10-15 minute walk (roughly 0.5-1 km) from Chichester railway station and is well signed from the city centre.

Trains run to Chichester from London (Victoria) and from Portsmouth/Southampton; by road the city is served by the A27 and local A-roads and the cathedral is an easy short walk from central Chichester car parks.

Tips for Visiting Chichester Cathedral #

  • Time a visit to coincide with Evensong or another sung service to hear the cathedral choir-this gives a much richer sense of the interior than a quick walk-through.
  • Arrive early in the day to enjoy the nave and the calm of the cathedral close before local school groups and tour parties arrive.
  • Make a short detour around the cathedral close and adjoining gardens to see the exterior architecture and the peaceful grounds that many visitors skip.

Best Time to Visit Chichester Cathedral #

For quieter interior visits, aim for weekday mornings in the off-peak months; spring-early autumn is busiest and most comfortable outside.

Peak tourist season
Apr-Sep · 15-22 °C
Warmer months bring more visitors and tour groups; lively cathedral services and events increase footfall.
Off-peak / quieter
Nov-Feb · 2-10 °C
Fewer tourists and a calmer interior-good for contemplative visits, though some services or guided tours may be reduced.
Shoulder months
Mar, Oct · 8-15 °C
Mild weather with moderate visitor levels-balance of accessibility and quieter spaces.

Weather & Climate near Chichester Cathedral #

Climate

Chichester Cathedral's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 2°C to 22°C. Moderate rainfall (840 mm/year).

Air Quality: AQI 34 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustMay
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
33°
Warmest Month
-5°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. The wettest month with 95 mm of rain, mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

42 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
93%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

95 mm
Rainfall
6.0 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.4h daylight

February

February is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
91%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

59 mm
Rainfall
5.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.9h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

58 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°
88%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

71 mm
Rainfall
5.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

64 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
13°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

54 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
13.6h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
17°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

49 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.3
UV Index
High
15.3h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
10° 19°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

53 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.5
UV Index
Very High
16.2h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
12° 22°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

50 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.5
UV Index
Very High
15.7h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

72 Very Good

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
12° 22°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

57 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
14.3h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

66 Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
10° 19°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

77 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
12.5h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
15°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

89 mm
Rainfall
5.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.6h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

52 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°
91%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

93 mm
Rainfall
5.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.8h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 3°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

44 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
93%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

93 mm
Rainfall
5.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
7.9h daylight

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