Chichester’s earliest inns can be traced back to mediaeval times when they catered for pilgrims visiting the shrine of St Richard in the cathedral. Over time they came to serve all types of travellers, who needed rest and food after travelling along the notoriously bad Sussex roads. By the middle of the seventeenth century there were seven inns in Chichester, as well as 50 alehouses, taverns, and other premises that sold drink. Given the population was only 2,000 people at the time, of whom over half were women and children, it can be seen that Chichester was a boozy city and remained so until the beginning of the twentieth century.
The Chichester Society obtained a Lottery Grant to create 8 heritage Trails, one of which related to pubs, inns and hotels. These were originally produced in leaflet form, but most of these are now out-of-print. To make them available for a wider audience I digitised them and they are available on the Society’s website.
The pub trail now consists of 19 establishments. However, in conducting later research I identified many more – too many to create a manageable walk round the City. Both the walking trails and the larger collection now exist as digital trails which can be reached on the Society’s website but for convenience are available below.
Walking Trail
To view the map you are recommended to enlarge it by clicking on the four-cornered symbol in the top right hand corner.
Extended collection of pubs
To view the map you are recommended to enlarge it by clicking on the four-cornered symbol in the top right hand corner.