Midhurst Footpath Companions
Walking in Sussex, Hampshire and Surrey.

Chichester walk on 29th January 2025

With very wet weather forecast later in the morning, Pauline and Linda wisely chose to limit our walk and to be within safe shelter should the need arise. In fact the rain was very late and umbrellas were redundant. We started from the Cattle market car park and headed to a spot next to the old Shiphams Paste building. From this point the Romans built an almost straight road called Stane Street all the way to London Bridge. Luckily London Bridge was not on our agenda so we went along the city walls to find the old Gunpowder Store. Beyond this point is Priory Park, home to a Franciscan Chancel, now the Guildhall. Also in this park is a huge mound of earth, now protected by some chestnut fencing. Originally it was far larger and higher and surmounted by a castle built by the Normans to demonstrate to the conquered English that they had lost the Battle of Hastings. The walk along the tops of the  walls was interrupted at Northgate by North Street, however we soon gained our privileged position  as we travelled West along the wall tops. Once we reached Westgate roundabout we headed for the magnificent Chichester Cathedral and our coffee stop.  Suitably refreshed we had a look at the Bishop's Palace Gardens and even in mid winter there were some blooms to admire. We left the walled city to travel through the streets of modern Chichester to once again find the car park, change shoes and head to the Nags Head for an excellent lunch.

Cattle Market start of our amble

Steps down - careful with matches - there may be dangers within

Luckily we think they may have cleared the store by now

Priory Park, a Victorian promenade with walks along the wall top

Chichester Guildhall, built in 1283 as a Franciscan chancel

The mound of earth - all that remains of the Norman castle

Now that's a better size for a castle site

Chichester has some nice sheltered spots for the occasional daphne odora

St Richard of Chichester - he's the one in the middle. Created by local man, Philip Jackson, from Cocking

How about that for a tea room entrance hall!

Daffodils in St Richard's Walk

Now heading for Bishop's Palace Garden

Obligatory group photo

Huge Redwood tree , luckily never pruned

Heading back to the car park

An enjoyable lunch in The Nags Head

A 3.2 mile walk without rain!

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