insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 17 - July 2016 | Page 86

TOWNSPOTLIGHT
CHICHESTER cont.

Things to Do
Chichester Cathedral
Chichester Cathedral has been around for
over 900 years, and it is still as impressive
and awe-inspiring today as it was all those
centuries ago. Not only is it a lovely place to
visit for a tranquil and relaxing day out, but it
also has so much history associated with it that
it’s impossible to go there and not come away
without a new piece of knowledge. It’s possible
to attend a church service, and there are other
events timetabled too, including concerts,
lectures and talks.
Fishbourne Roman Palace
Officially the largest Roman villa in Britain,
Fishbourne Roman Palace offers a wealth of
information and fascinating facts to compliment
the atmospheric and evocative palace itself.
The Roman gardens have been painstakingly
recreated and talking a stroll through them is
a must to get an idea of how similar we are to
our Roman ancestors. And, of course, there
are the famous mosaics to see too.
Weald & Downland Museum
This 40-acre site is a wonderful heritage
museum full of historic buildings – there are
over 50 to explore and enjoy. Find out what
it was like to live in numerous different eras
including the Middle Ages, Tudor times, and
during the Victorian years. Bring your own
picnic or enjoy the café on site – and you can
even bring your dog along too.
Kingley Vale Trail
Take the Kingley Vale Trail across the beautiful
South Downs and discover one of the finest
examples of a yew forest in western Europe.
These ancient trees are among the oldest living
things in the entire country, and simply standing
near them gives you the most incredible
sense of history. As well as yew trees, you can
enjoy the surrounding chalk grassland with an
impressive 14 ancient monuments. Make sure
you look out for green woodpeckers, red kites,
buzzards and butterflies such as the beautiful
Holly Blue.

Annual Events
Pallant House Gallery
After an £8.6 million makeover and renovation,
Pallant House Gallery opened ten years ago to
critical acclaim. After three years, the exhibition
space had been quadrupled, and it is now
possible to enjoy art in both the original Queen
Anne, grade I listed building and the new
modern wing.

Dining Out
Amelie & Friends
Housed in a gorgeous Georgian property,
Amelie & Friends has head chef, Richard
Attkins, to thank for the delightful food on offer.
From the sublime delicacies served, to the
attentive, but never intrusive service, Amelie &
Friends is a gem of a restaurant. Food includes
twice-baked apple and blue cheese soufflé
and Waldorf salad; honey and rosemary pork
belly with black pudding, mustard mash and
compressed apple; and fennel and lemon
meringue tart with vanilla mascarpone cream.
The Old Greenhouse
As well as a lovely restaurant, The Old
Greenhouse is actually part of a B&B: 82
Fishbourne, and at the eatery you can take
part in a variety of fun cooking demonstrations.
If it’s the eating of the food that you are
most interested in, however, you won’t be
disappointed and can try dishes such as dark
onion soup infused with brandy with garlic
croutons; sesame pastry cases filled with
pan-fried beetroot and Roquefort with a honey
mustard crème fraiche; and their signature
platter of three miniature desserts.
Brasserie Blanc
Tucked away behind St Pancras church,
Brasserie Blanc couldn’t be in a prettier place
and offers a cosy hideaway in which to relish
a good cup of coffee, a light lunch, or an
impeccable meal serving up the best of French
cuisine. Dishes include Mediterranean fish
soup; grilled cod fillet ‘au citron’; and chilli and
ginger squid.

86

Food & Folk Festival // May
Held annually at the Weald & Downland Open
Air Museum, this wonderful celebration of
Britain’s heritage through music and food is a
fun day out for all.
International Film Festival // Aug
Taking place from August 11th-28th, the 25th
Chichester International Film Festival will launch
with two open-air screenings at Priory Park and
a drive-in at Oaklands Car Park, and will show
over 120 fantastic films across five different
Chichester venues.
Goodwood Festival of Speed // Jun
One of the most prestigious racing events in
the world, the Goodwood Festival of Speed
sees racers from every continent competing in
various races across the festival week.
Apple Affair // Oct
Celebrate the British Harvest with apple
displays, orchard tours, stalls, cooking
demonstrations and more.

Top Spot
West Dean Gardens is a perfectly restored,
idyllic spot that makes for a balmy antidote to
the frantic ‘real world’. Examples of what can
be seen here include the classically Victorian
walled kitchen garden, the 300-foot long
Edwardian pergola designed by Harold Peto,
and the award-winning sunken garden.
Did You Know?
Chichester Cathedral is actually a rather unique
specimen. It is the only medieval building that
has a Marc Chagall stained glass window and
a freestanding bell tower.