We had been to Chichester before, but only for a flying visit in an afternoon in 2019. But this year it seemed like a good base to explore this part of the south coast.
Friday 20th September
We left at 10am and only had one hold up leaving the M25 for the works to a new junction with the A3. Heading for Midhurst in Sussex, Alison's satnav took us down some lovely but occasionally single track roads instead of the direct route of the A286. Coupled with a heavy rain storm. Eventually we made our destination of Cowdray Park. Well, this was an amazing place, especially in the nice sunshine. A superb café was, predictably, very busy, but only a short wait for a lovely lunch that included spicy chicken thighs.
We had plenty of time for a stroll around the park, and what did we find further down? The polo ground. Lots of ponies and a match!
I cannot remember ever seeing polo before. Maybe over sixty years ago at Windsor Great Park? Who knows. But this was amazing. Very few people around, especially on the longish deserted walk from the café. We found that it is was the Autumn Cup Tournament and playing had been La Hechicera and La Berta. But for us, Madams Farm beat Bamboleo 9-6 in the second semi final. (We passed two young women putting up the scores).We had met a lady who explained what was going on and some basic rules. It even has two referees on ponies. As an aside, Cowdray Park has the premier polo tournament in Europe. The British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup. Now dominated by Middle East teams. There are photos of the huge crowds there. We walked back a different way around the polo grounds in pleasant 21C sunshine. A visit to the shop then only 12 miles left to Chichester to find our bungalow and unpack.
Saturday 21st September
We decided to avoid the crowds on a weekend so a longish walk to the bus station (getting lost) and not too long for a the bus to West Wittering. (Parking there costs an arm and two legs). Another walk from the bust stop in West Wittering to the beach but worth it when we arrived. The tide was on it's way back but enough dry sand for a nice walk. Luckily we found a bench on the dunes for our lunch. As the photo below, this is a quiet place.
Walking back the other way, we found a new building under construction, the state of the art West Wittering and Beach Safety and Facilities Hub. Looks good and it will have an elevated 360 degree lifeguard viewpoint, toilets, showers and medical suite. This is an affluent place.
A bus back, then tea and cake in M&S in Chichester centre before the walk back to our accommodation. It had been mainly sunny at 22 degrees, although cooler on the beach.
Sunday 22nd September
I had a quiet day, some aches after all the walking yesterday. I went out to find the Sunday paper and a little explore of the surrounding area. Alison went out for a run then into Chichester centre later. I caught up with lots on this blog. There were two Premier League games to watch. It had been cloudy with some bits of rain. Cooler at 18C.
Monday 23rd September
We took the car to the multi story car park near the train station for our trip to Brighton. There we walked down to the sea front via The Lanes and a couple of old haunts. On the front we walked across the pebble beach to a sheltered spot next to a wall to watch the waves with Palace Pier in the background.
The camera was cloudy with salt.
Lunch was in Pret-a-Manger before we walked most of the way down Madeira Drive. Quite a way but well worth it. We came back on the Volk's Electric Railway. Despite spending years in Brighton, I had never been on this before. Great pictures on their website.
It has been in operation since 1883.
Towards the end of the ride we passed the outdoor swimming pool.
We took a bus back to the station. Arriving back in Chichester, we had an early dinner at Zizzi as I was off to the theatre in the evening. See separate post on Redlands at Chichester Festival Theatre. There had been some rain the previous night but soon cleared to give a lovely day as the photos above.
Tuesday 24th September
A quiet morning, needing a rest after yesterday. However in the afternoon we took the car to Bosham. What a wonderful place. Only small, but it has a harbour so lots to see. The tide was out but the sign below was quite right. It had disappeared later when the water covered all the paths at the front.
Holy Trinity Church was spectacular.
On the wall were tablets with the name of every vicar since 1204! Of course.
Alison had her ice cream. Other establishments earlier in the week did not have the essential sprinkles.
We found a bench overlooking the harbour. Nobody around. Just wonderful. That was our view.
An interesting shopping arcade but fairly pricey. But the car park was cheap and plenty of spaces. Bosham is fairly isolated (a few really nice houses), otherwise one of the jewels of the south coast. The day had been mainly cloudy with a few sunny breaks and not cold at 17C.
Wednesday 25th September
We had been promised a wet day so we set out to walk to Chichester centre. Arriving at the Cathedral it was so quiet with hardly anyone around. And the sun was out when we walked around the perimeter.
You could always see the cathedral in the background. We stopped off at the Community Garden. Despite visitors not allowed the people there welcomed us to look round.
They even insisted Alison took some Dahlias home.
They are still doing well today.
Then out into the larger garden.
Upon leaving we saw a long flight of steps up and found part of the old city walls to walk around.
Time for lunch in their superb café: Cloisters Kitchen and Garden. Best ever superior sausage roll.
Time to look inside the cathedral. I spent some time sitting on one of the pews. The sun came out to shine on the walls and through the stained glass windows.
Too many other interesting things to include here. On the way back we stopped off at some of the city shops. The day had, luckily, not been as wet as forecast. One heavy shower while we were in a shop. A pleasant 17C.
Thursday 26th September
Our last day. Another quiet morning with heavy showers on and off. Alison had gone to Portsmouth and got wet. At 2pm I was in my raincoat waiting at the door for the latest shower to pass. I then headed for the city centre to look at some of the old city walls that are Roman in origin. I started off down the North Wall, part of the Walls Walk. Lots on the internet. They are the most complete walls in southern England and there is a circular walk. Note the main path at lower level.
We had found more of these walls on our tour of Bishop's Palace Gardens. (See above).
There was just time to see a bit more of Chichester before meeting Alison back at the bungalow. In the early evening we went to Pizza Express for dinner, the long wait tempered by the quality of the food. After those heavy showers in the morning, the afternoon was sunny and dry at a pleasant 17C.
Friday 27 September
We were packed and gone by 9.30. Rain on and off all the way home and only 9C! But the sun was out as we arrived back and 14C was fine. The weather had actually been much better than the forecast for the week before we left. Only that one wet morning the day before.
The Highlights
Redlands at the Chichester Festival Theatre
Cowdray Park Polo
West Wittering
Brighton
Bosham
Chichester Cathedral - Bishop's Palace Garden - Cloisters Kitchen and Garden
Chichester Walls Walk
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