CHICHESTER

Chichester is easily accessed by train, bus and road via the A27. In the centre of the town is Chichester Cross, built as a covered butter cross is now two stories. From the cross four roads (East, South, West and North) go of at right angles. At the intersection of South and West Streets stands Chichester Cathedral (11th century) with the shrine of Saint Richard.

Places to visit include The Pallant House Gallery containing modern British art and The Chichester Festival Theatre

Close by are Brighton and Portsmouth

Almost all pubs offer food at lunch and most also do evening meals. There are a couple which are probably more restaurant than bar.

Many also offer city centre accommodation from Bed and Breakfast to actual Hotel.

There are two trails described for Chichester. The city has a distinct centre and four roads leading from it – North St, South St, West St and East St. The pubs are mainly grouped at the end of these four streets. Thus, crawl one will take in the North- South axis while trail 2 will be the East-West route. The trails will each be designed to start at the train or bus station and visit pubs going from and coming back to the station.

Chichester - East-West (RED ICONS)

TRAIL 1 North-South - 12 pubs (or 9 if skipping Macro, Trents and The Ship -they are more restaurant than bar and no real ale)

Chichester - East-West (RED ICONS)

On the corner beside the railway station is The Globe Inn (now The Foundry) –leave this till last because it has a screen showing up to date train departures! 

Walk up towards the town centre. Once across the traffic lights you are on South St. Unfortunately, you walk by some pubs from trail 1 before you reach Chichester Cross and turn left into West St. Opposite the Cathedral you will see The Dolphin and Anchor. Come out the back door of this pub onto a lane, Chapel St. opposite you will see the entrance to The Belle Isle. )now closed)

Now return to West St and the cathedral and walk all the way to the roundabout where just before it on the left is the Chichester Inn. Across the roundabout is The Vintage. Return and go back up West St and just as the cathedral starts there is on old church on the other side – this is Wests (now Duke of Rye)

Go back to the Cross and straight across to East St. Walk a little of the way down looking out for a lane called St Martins on the right-hand side. Go up this lane and find the Hole In The Wall. Return to the pedestrian area and walk all the way down East St to the junction. On the left junction is The Nags Head and then on the straight-ahead road is The Eastgate.

Come back across the junction and go down to the right to find The Bull (now CLOSED). Continue down this road a few minutes, heading back to the railway station. As you get close you should see The Fountain pub which is part of trail 1 but I would be tempted anyway. Or continue round and see The Globe Inn next to the station.

Dolphin and Anchor is a JD Wetherspoons’ pub. It is a large open plan drinking/dining area which narrows at the bar. Beyond is some more seating and small outdoor area.

The unusual name comes from the combining two adjacent pubs in 1910.

Have one here

Real ale       : Netwood Gold; Midhurst Mild; Wild Ale (all Ballards); Jaipur;  Saison (Langholm); Lost Kingdom (Kings Heritage); Ruddles; Doom bar; Anchor Ale

Bitter           : John Smith

Lager           :Heineken;  Carling; Fosters; Carlsberg; Stella Black; 1664

Cider           :Strongbow                  Guinness

The Belle Isle (now closed) is a very large spacious modern cafe/bar/restaurant/bistro.  The large bar, along the left-hand side wall at the entrance serves a large expanse of different styles of seating and tables with a restaurant beyond. The long right-hand wall is mainly windows looking out on a quiet narrow street. Just beside the bar is a small wall made of old suitcases. The bar offers at least 7 Craft bottled beers. There is also a courtyard out back.

Smokers blocking door were a pain.

Have a pint here

Real ale      :Teeporter; Rouge Red; Oregon (all Summer Wine Brewery); Belle Isle Pacific Ale

lager:          Esterella; Sharps Pilsner; Coors Light

Cider: Stowford Press; Magners Golden

Vintage, now Crate and Apple, is a modern bar /diner. The bar is straight ahead and serves two seating areas split by a half wall. There is outside seating by the road (not the roundabout) and in the beer garden to the rear. Music Sunday afternoons.

Have a pint here.

Real ale : Sussex Gold (Arundel); London Gold

Lager :Becks; Amstal; San Miguel

Cider :Strongbow; Guinness

Wests (now Duke of Rye) is a converted large church. Unlike many church conversions the roof has not been lowered so the church vaulted ceiling is still in full view. The bar has been placed in the centre with seating on three sides. Booth like seating down to the left as separate sections to back and right of ‘church’. These can be hired. Kitchen and salad bar take up a corner of the room. Lunch available and Fri/Sat evening meals.

Have one here as it is a spectacular setting.

http://www.westschichesterpub.co.uk/

Real ale :Pedigree Old World Pale Ale

Lager :1664; Fosters; Carsberg; Becks; Peroni; Heineken

Cider :Strongbow; Guinness

The Fountain pub (Hall and Woodhouse) is over 100 years old. It has outside seating down the side and three rooms. Two of the rooms are served by the same bar. The main entrance takes you to the top bar (3rd picture). Through a door and down a step is the middle room with a larger bar (2nd picture) and door to the outside seating (1st picture)). Through from the middle room is more formal table and chair seating.

The pub has had a thorough refurbishment sine the visit - see pictures on website

Food is served throughout the day. The pub offers wi-fi and real fires.

Good Pub Guide 2013

Have two pints here

Real ale : First Call; Tanglefoot; Hopeful Hop (all Badger); Sussex Bitter

Bitter : John Smith

Lager :Peroni; 1664; Fosters

Cider :Stowford Press Guinness