Chichester City Walls

The high wall around Chichester traces the boundary of the Roman city of Noviomagus Reginorum, laid out in the late 2nd century. What you see today is roughly a mile and a half of largely complete circuit, following the same octagonal footprint the Romans set down. Sections of Roman flint and mortar core survive, patched and refaced through the medieval period when the wall was heightened and given bastions to serve the cathedral city.

A signed walkway runs along the top of much of the circuit, giving views over the cathedral spire, Bishop's Palace Gardens, Priory Park and the streets radiating from the Market Cross. The route takes around 45 minutes at an easy pace, with steps up and down at several points and level access at others. Interpretation panels along the way explain the Roman defences, the four original gates (long since demolished) and the wall's role during the Civil War siege of 1642.

The best starting points are Priory Park in the north-east quadrant or the West Gate near Avenue de Chartres car park. The wall walk links neatly with a visit to the cathedral, Pallant House Gallery or the Novium Museum, whose collections include finds from the Roman city. Free to access at any time, it is one of the most complete Roman and medieval town wall circuits in southern England.