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 in AD 43. Like all Roman walled towns, Noviomagus Reginorum was divided into four quarters by two main roads or streets crossing… Continue reading Chichester & St Bart’s: The Early Settlement
Author: Colin Hicks
Site Admin - Westgate street history, Chichester
Medieval Westgate
Image courtesy of Chichester Web. This article forms part of 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… Continue reading Medieval Westgate
The Gates
Some controversy rages about what Chichester’s West Gate actually looked like. It was our view initially that this was the gate itself, taken from an 18th century watercolour, but this is disputed by the team at the West Sussex county archives who, in spite of the title at the bottom, believe it must be of… Continue reading The Gates
The Romans and Westgate
This article forms part of 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… Continue reading The Romans and Westgate
The Best of Chichester
The Top 10 Local Attractions Chichester Cathedral Tangmere Military Aviation Museum Chichester Festival Theatre Weald and Downland Museum Bishop’s Palace Gardens Bosham Quay Fishbourne Roman Palace West Dean Gardens Tinwood Estate Vineyard Kingley Vale Top 10 Eateries: [Don’t agree? Then submit your suggestions] Namaste Punjab, St Pauls Road Farmer Butcher Chef, Goodwood Estate Brasserie Blanc, Church… Continue reading The Best of Chichester
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… Continue reading Prehistoric Westgate
Historic images
Click on each image for a closer look. The olde West Gate itself? According to the caption, looking down West Street in 1782 from outside the walls, or is it? Historians are of the view that this is in fact Eastgate with the City prison on top, demolished in 1783. The other gates were demolished… Continue reading Historic images
Views of Westgate today
Click on each image for a closer look. The new lamps Complete with rainbow! (Photo: Clare Blythman) Thank goodness we can close the street one day a year for the Westgate Street Party! One of our rare trees Back
The Georgian Priory: 1-9 Westgate
This post forms part of an occasional series of contributions from guest authors. This building history by Dr Richard Brownfield was first published in the Chichester Society Newsletter and is here reproduced by permission. Georgian Priory is an entirely spurious name which was created in 1988 when the Abbey Building Society (later to become the… Continue reading The Georgian Priory: 1-9 Westgate
Our Mature Trees
A planning application has been made by the County Council to re-pollard the last remaining mature Horse Chestnut on the corner of Parklands Road and Westgate. This is no more than good maintenance, but the description in the application that this tree is now ‘over-mature’ and ‘in decline’ should perhaps give us pause for thought.… Continue reading Our Mature Trees