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 Pallant
House Pallant House, in North Pallant, was built
by Henry Peckham between 1712 and 1713. It was built with great
attention to detail and is a magnificent example of a prosperous
merchant’s house of the Queen Anne period. The quality of
workmanship is outstanding not least in the carved brickwork. Each
window at the front of the house has a keystone with an armorial
device carved into the brickwork. The two birds on the gateposts
were intended to represent ostriches, which formed part of the crest
of the Peckham family, but their rather awkward appearance gave
rise to the nickname of ‘The Dodo House.’
It is now an art gallery and an award-winning contemporary  extension
has recently been added to house a fine collection of modern art.
John Edes House John
Edes House, in West Street, was built in 1696, is the earliest important
house in Chichester built in brick, and is a magnificent example
of the later Stuart period. West Sussex County Council now uses
it as offices. Rooms can be hired for meetings and exhibitions when
it is open in part to the public.
The Market Cross The
Market Cross was given to the city in  1501
by Bishop Story as a place where the poor people of Chichester had
the right to sell their goods without let or hindrance. It continued
in use for nearly three hundred years, when it was replaced by the
Butter Market or Market House as it was then known. In the past
it was suggested that it was a traffic hazard and should be removed
elsewhere, but this was resisted and with the coming of pedestrianisation
this is no longer a threat. Nowadays it is a popular meeting place
for residents and visitors alike.
 The
Corn Exchange The Corn Exchange with its classical
façade dominates East Street. Built in 1830 it has had many
uses since the corn auctions were held under its roof. Theatre performances
were held there, and it was the site of the first moving picture
performances in the City. As the Granada it was the last commercial
cinema in the city. It then had various retail uses and even served
as a fast food outlet, until in its present incarnation it houses
a major clothing retailer who gave the building a major face-lift
and revealed again its grandeur.
 St.
John’s Chapel The Chapel of St. John the Evangelist
was a proprietary chapel designed by John Elmes and opened in 1812.
The chapel was one built and owned by the shareholders and maintained
by the subscribers who paid an annual rent for their pews. Over
the years, support dwindled and in 1973 the trustees passed the
ownership to the Churches Conservation Trust. In recent years it
has been refurbished and is used for concerts and recitals. It is
a Grade I building noteworthy for its interior and its triple pulpit.
Chapel of St. John the Evangelist, St. John’s Street, Chichester
 The
Buttermarket The Buttermarket or Market House as
it was originally known, was designed by the famous architect, John
Nash, and opened in 1808. The intention was to replace the Market
Cross as a place for the small trader. It was originally a single
storey building but by 1900, an additional storey was added and
this became an arts institute. In 2009 Chichester City Council,
the owner of the land and building, agreed to the refurbishment
of the building into separate retail outlets, opportunities for
restaurants on the ground and first floors and the installation
of a lift. The Buttermarket is on schedule to be open for business
in the very near future.
 St
Mary’s Hospital St Mary’s Hospital in
St. Martin’s Square was built
in 1298 as an almshouse. It included living accommodation and a
chapel. The living accommodation has been much improved over the
years for the residents who still live in part of it. The chapel
has some outstanding examples of misericords and regular services
for the residents are still held. It can be visited, but only by
appointment. It has flint walls and a huge roof, which sweeps down
to within seven feet of the ground. In some ways its appearance
is similar to a tithe barn. Tel: 01243 783377
 The
Guildhall The Guildhall in Priory Park is the chancel
of the Church of a Franciscan Friary
which was established in the mid thirteenth
century. The Friary was dissolved in
1538 as part of the campaign by Henry VIII against religious houses
and the site given to the Mayor and citizens of Chichester. In 1541
the King sold the Friary Church to the City and it began a new life
as the Chichester Guildhall. It was used for a variety of purposes,
including trials. In 1806 William Blake was tried here for treason
but found not guilty. It is now forms part of the Chichester District
Museum.
The Cathedral In 1075
a Cathedral  was
established in Chichester replacing
sone on an earlier site at Selsey. The original building was badly
damaged by a fire in 1114 but rebuilt by 1184. This
forms the basis of the present Cathedral. The spire was added in
about 1400 but in 1861 it collapsed.
It was rebuilt by 1866.
It contains many works of art ranging from the Arundel Tomb, (which
inspired Philip Larkin’s poem), to modern works including
those by Graham Sutherland, John Piper, Marc Chagall and Philip
Jackson. There is a shop and restaurant in the Cloisters. Guided
tours are available and there is no charge for admission.
The Royal Chantry, Cathedral Cloisters,
Chichester, PO19 1PX
www.chichestercathedral.org.uk
Tel: 01243 782595
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