England is home to over 15,000 church buildings and cathedrals, many iconic ones – and are a tourist magnet drawing thousands of tourists every year. Visitors flock to marvel at the grand architectural details, including extravagant towers, long naves, high and ornate ceilings, arched stained-glass windows or elaborate tracery. But there are two towns that stood out – Chichester and Norwich – both are filled with history and both share the typical English charm. but to the first timer, it would seem as though they have stepped back in time – a far cry from hustling and bustling London.
Chichester
We drove in from Cardiff on a rainy evening and were glad to have found a place to stay in the last minute, right in the city centre. What luck. As we approached, we felt like we were going back many years – and loved it. It was hard to imagine that this town was just about an hour and a half from London.
- Location: West Sussex, southern England. (Train from London Victoria or Waterloo station. Travel time 1hr 35m).
- The Cathedral: Consecrated in 1108 and features a blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles. It is unique among English cathedral cities for having a detached medieval bell tower.
- Key Highlights: Retains over 80% of its original Roman city walls, the 16th-century Chichester Market Cross, and the nearby Fishbourne Roman Palace.
The magnificent 12th century cathedral, built by the Normans, towers over the centre of the city and lies within the heart of its centre. The architecture is both Norman and Gothic. The spire was rebuilt by the Victorians after it collapsed. The inside is beautiful and tells of its Norman origins.
The spire of Chichester Cathedral is said to be the third tallest in England and acts as a landmark for travellers. It holds the distinction of being the only spire from a medieval English cathedral that is visible from the sea. There are many treasures, including some Roman mosaics as well as modern treasures like the artworks of Graham Sutherland, John Piper and Marc Chagall.
Detached Bell Tower: It is the only medieval English cathedral with a free-standing detached bell tower (built around 1400)
What to see in Chichester
Chichester Market Cross – originally built to provide traders somewhere covered to sell their goods. Today it has become a place to rest for weary travellers and makes for a fantastic backdrop for photos.
Connectivity
Chichester is well connected. The city’s train station offers direct services to London Victoria, Brighton, Portsmouth, and Southampton. For those travelling by car, the nearby A27 makes it easy to reach the rest of the south coast and beyond.
Where to stay
I stayed at The Vestry, in Chichester centre. It was 300m from the Cathedral, had cooked breakfast, wifi and parking. Plenty of shopping and dining options close by.
Norwich, the City of Stories
I took a train to Norwich. Victoria Station to Liverpool Street station. Change to the Greater Anglia Train to Norwich. Journey time is just over 2 hours. Norwich is also England’s first UNESCO City of Literature. The train station is stunning and you can easily walk to all the attractions from the station without having to depend on local transport.
- Location: Norfolk, East Anglia.
- The Cathedral: Founded in 1096 and dedicated in 1101, renowned as one of the finest and best-preserved Norman Romanesque cathedrals in Northern Europe, boasting the second-tallest spire in England.
- Key Highlights: Norwich is one of the few English cities with two cathedrals (alongside the Roman Catholic Cathedral of St John the Baptist), historic cobbled lanes like Elm Hill, and Norwich Castle.
The Norwich Cathedral always the tops the list of favourites for visitors to this city. Completed in the 12th century, the Cathedral boasts of the second-tallest cathedral spire and the second-largest cloister in England. The sheer size of the nave and the quiet of the cloister make it a place to spend an hour or two.
What to see
Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery
The Norwich Castle was completed in 1121 and houses a museum and art gallery today. The collections range from natural history to fine art. The castle’s keep is a striking sight even from a distance, and the interior galleries give you a proper sense of the building’s age. It is the second most popular attraction in the city according to user reviews, so expect it to be busy on weekends.
Elm Hill
Elm Hill is a cobbled lane that looks like it has been frozen in time. Medieval buildings line the street and walking down the lane is an experience to cherish. it is easily a photographers delight.
Cow Tower
This 14th-century artillery tower stands on the banks of the River Wensum. It was built as part of Norwich’s city defences, and its solitary position in a grassy park makes it an interesting spot for a short visit. It is free to view from the outside.
Connectivity
You can arrive in Norwich by train, car or by regular coaches. Direct train services are available from London Liverpool Street station operated by Greater Anglia. Buses run regularly from Victoria Coach Station.
Where to Eat and Stay
Plenty of accommodation options are available in Norwich – but where you stay depends on what you want to experience. The Maids Head Hotel, right next to the cathedral, is aa popular choice for those looking for convenience, while hotels located along the river makes it convenient to travel.
