Page 99 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Great Britain

DRIVE 8: Exploring the South Downs 97

Above left Traditional beach huts at sandy
e Chichester Fitzalan, 10th Earl of Arundel, with his West Wittering Above right Surfer
West Sussex; PO19 1NB wife, Eleanour of Lancaster, inspired negotiating the pebbles at East Wittering
This peaceful county town is centred Philip Larkin’s 1956 poem An Arundel
on a market cross from which North, Tomb, which can be read alongside it. EAT AND DRINK
South, West and East streets radiate. Finally, the Novium Museum (closed
The Festival and Minerva Theatres Sun Mar–Nov; 01243 775 888; www. AROUND MIDHURST
(www.cft.org.uk; 01243 781 312) are thenovium.org), is a local history Horse Guards Inn moderate
renowned, and Pallant House Gallery museum built above the remains of Great pub serving locally sourced food,
(closed Mon except Bank Hols), is a superb a Roman bathhouse. with a cosy, shabby-chic interior and an
modern art gallery. Don’t miss There’s also much to see just outside idyllic garden with hay-bale seating and
deckchairs. Three rooms also available.
Chichester Cathedral, consecrated in Chichester. Head west on the A27 and Upperton Road, Tillington, GU28 9AF;
1108, with John Piper’s dramatic 1966 turn left on the A259 for the impressive 01798 342 332; www.thehorseguards
altar tapestry and Marc Chagall’s mosaics of Fishbourne Roman Palace inn.co.uk; open daily lunch and dinner
striking stained-glass window (1978). (Feb–mid-Dec: open daily; mid-Dec–Jan: CHICHESTER
The recumbent figure of Richard open Sat & Sun). Further along the A259 St Martin’s Organic Coffee House
lies Bosham, one of the many inlets of inexpensive
Chichester Harbour. Bosham has a Homemade snacks, soups and cakes
pretty Saxon church; the supposed are served in this friendly café. There is
burial place of King Cnut’s daughter, a garden and a nice log fire in winter.
3 St Martins Street, PO19 1NP; 01243 786
the church is depicted in the Bayeux 715; www.organiccoffeehouse.co.uk;
Tapestry and is one of the oldest open in daytime only; closed Sun & Mon
Christian sites in Sussex. The harbour Purchases Bar & Restaurant moderate
inlets are in an Area of Outstanding Smart, but unpretentious, restaurant
Natural Beauty, one of the best boating serving high end fare such as beef
areas on the south coast, so consider Wellington and rabbit saddle.
taking a boat trip for the scenery or 31 North Street, PO19 1LX; 01243 771
444; www.purchasesrestaurant.co.uk;
birdlife (see left). Other inlets can be closed Sun dinner
reached by heading south from
Chichester on the A286 to charming AROUND CHICHESTER
Dell Quay and Itchenor. Finish a tour Anchor Bleu inexpensive
of these wet flatlands with a walk on Good, home-cooked food and real
the sandy beach at West Wittering ales in a friendly pub with a terrace,
overlooking the harbour.
Above The tapestry designed by John Piper, or the more pebbly one at East The High Street, Bosham, PO18 8LS;
Chichester Cathedral Wittering, a short drive to the south. 01243 573 956; www.anchorbleu.co.uk
DAY TRIP OPTIONS up Ditchling Beacon 6 for views and Follow the drive route in reverse.
Explore the area from buzzy Brighton, down to the village for tea.
arty Lewes or pretty Arundel. Historic Waterland
Follow the drive route to Ditchling. Explore Arundel 9 with its castle,
Town and Country antiques shops and wetlands centre.
Spend the morning in Brighton 5 Arts and crafts Or head to Chichester e for the
with its museums, arty shops, In Lewes 4, browse the galleries cathedral, ancient Roman mosaics and
restaurants and exotic Royal Pavilion. and crafts shops before heading over a boat trip or a walk on the beach.
There’s plenty for children, with a pier, to Charleston and Berwick 3 to see
aquarium and mini-railway. Then drive the Bloomsbury circle’s art. Follow the A27.

Eat and Drink: inexpensive, under £25; moderate, £25–£50; expensive, over £50

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