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Goodwood, Lavant, East Dean, Boxgrove, East Ashling, Funtington Click on pictures to enlarge     homebacknext
Coast and Countryside
...places to visit

Chichester, standing between the South Downs and the sea, combines the pleasures of both. Its busy yachting harbour and countryside reflect the seafaring and agricultural past of the town.

There are many picturesque villages to discover. Lavant, about two miles to the north, comprises the villages of Mid Lavant and East Lavant, which take their names from the river, an intermittent chalk stream that rises at East Dean and flows down towards Chichester through a most delightful valley. East Lavant has plenty of old cottages to see, and a traditional pub.

For the energetic, there is an incline to St Roche's Hill, 677 feet, known locally as The Trundle, this being the name originally given to the embankments of an Iron Age fortress around the crown of the hill. Dating from about 2000 BC, these enclosed a tribal city that was a forerunner of Chichester. There are spectacular panoramic views from here and, on a clear day, not only of Chichester and the surrounding area, but even to the Isle of Wight. It also immediately overlooks Goodwood Racecourse, and is a perfect place for a picnic on a summer's day.

  South Downs
At Boxgrove, which is about three miles north east of Chichester, are the ruins of Boxgrove Priory which was built in the reign of Henry I for the Benedictine monks. Now only some exquisite Norman arches remain, but it still draws enormous interest. Fortunately Boxgrove Priory Church is intact, and is the most beautiful monastic building in Sussex - a cathedral in miniature. Nearby is Halnaker with its distinctive windmill, being a familiar landmark.

A few miles north west of the city are the villages of East Ashling and Funtington, both giving a real flavour of English country life.


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