Although posted originally in 2016, this post has been retained as it still contains relevant information for residents and other readers.
Author: Colin Hicks
Site Admin - Westgate street history, Chichester
Westgate’s Landmark Trees (updated)
Originally posted on 12 March 2016, updated on 13 June 2016 and February 2025. With thanks to Brian Hopkins, our tree warden. All tree photos are by the author unless otherwise stated.
The Westgate Brewery
From time to time we bring in a guest writer to add to the content of our website. We are grateful to local historian Alan H. J. Green for his permission to reprint this article which originally appeared, entitled “The Westgate Brewery”, in the Sussex Industrial Archaeology Society Newsletter 137 of January 2008. And also to Paula Chatfield of Parklands RA who drew this article to our attention in the first place. If you would be interested in contributing something relevant to Westgate and its surrounding streets then do please contact us.
Westgate in the 17th to 19th Centuries
This article forms the fourth and final one in a series on the archaeology of Westgate and is adapted with their permission from an archaeological desk-based assessment prepared by SLR Consulting Ltd on behalf of Chichester College in 2013. The numbers on the map refer to objects mentioned in the text below that have been found and registered in the Historic Environment Record (HER) for Chichester District.
The Brewery Field update (Feb 2016)
Following a very successful public meeting at the end of 2015, the three RAs who would benefit most from the use of The Brewery (Henty) Field formed a steering committee to launch a Friends’ group at the request of the City Council. The City and County Councils had made it clear that if this resource was not used sufficiently then it would be taken back by the County Council and perhaps built upon.
Chichester & St Bart’s: The Early Settlement
The extent of Chichester has altered at various times.
The settlement was first established as a winter fort for the Second Augustan Legion under Vespasian (the future emperor) shortly after the Roman invasion by Emperor Claudius in AD 43. Like all Roman walled towns, Noviomagus Reginorum was divided into four quarters by two main roads or streets crossing approximately in the middle of the town. The public baths are beneath West Street, the amphitheatre under the cattle market and the basilica is thought to be beneath the cathedral.
Continue reading Chichester & St Bart’s: The Early Settlement
Medieval Westgate
Image courtesy of Chichester Web. This article forms the third in a series on the archaeology of Westgate and is adapted with their permission from an archaeological desk-based assessment prepared by SLR Consulting Ltd on behalf of Chichester College in 2013. The numbers on the map refer to objects mentioned in the text below that have been found and registered in the Historic Environment Record (HER) for Chichester District.
Continue reading Medieval Westgate
The Gates
Some controversy rages about what Chichester’s West Gate actually looked like.
The Romans and Westgate
The above picture is of the Bosham Head, part of the largest Roman statue ever found in Britain. Discovered around 1800 and well-weathered from being left outside in the Bishop’s Palace Garden. Thought to be that of Emperor Trajan (CE 53-117) and perhaps installed by Hadrian at the entrance to Chichester Harbour.
This article forms the second in a series on the archaeology of Westgate and is adapted with their permission from an archaeological desk-based assessment prepared by SLR Consulting Ltd on behalf of Chichester College in 2013. The numbers on the map refer to objects mentioned in the text below that have been found and registered in the Historic Environment Record (HER) for Chichester District.
The data is surprisingly comprehensive given how long ago this period is.
Continue reading The Romans and Westgate
Prehistoric Westgate
This article forms the first in a series on the archaeology of Westgate and is adapted with their permission from an archaeological desk-based assessment prepared by SLR Consulting Ltd on behalf of Chichester College in 2013. The numbers on the above map refer to objects mentioned in the text below that have been found and registered in the Historic Environment Record (HER) for Chichester District.
Palaeolithic Period (c 500,000 – c 10,500 BP)