Chichester is a walled cathedral city between the South Downs and the harbour, close to West Wittering beach, Goodwood and the Weald and Downland Living Museum.
A 900-year-old cathedral in the centre of Chichester, free to enter by donation and welcoming to dogs. Look out for the John Piper tapestry, and the peregrine falcons that nest on the spire.
Photo: Peter Trimming, CC BY-SA 2.0Chichester Festival Theatre stands in Oaklands Park in Chichester and describes itself as a local theatre with a world-class profile. It runs three spaces, the Festival Theatre, the Minerva and The Nest, with a programme of plays, musicals and Shakespeare plus comedy, live music and shows for young children. Its Christmas show is one of the region's big festive outings.
Photo: Charlesdrakew at English Wikipedia, Public domainWest Dean Gardens sits at the foot of the South Downs north of Chichester and is one of the finest restored gardens open to the public. Highlights include the Victorian glasshouses, a productive Walled Kitchen Garden, a 100-metre Edwardian pergola and the 49-acre St Roche's Arboretum. It is open year round, with a restaurant, tea cottage and shops on site.
More than 50 rescued historic buildings tell the story of 1,000 years of rural life in the South Downs. Step inside historic homes, watch traditional craftspeople at work and meet the animals, with dogs on short leads welcome too.
Image: West Wittering BeachA wide Blue Flag sandy beach at the mouth of Chichester Harbour, with the sand spit of East Head at one end and plenty of room to spread out. Out of season it is one of the best dog-walking beaches on the south coast.
Chichester District Council's festive market fills the city centre over two December weekends, with gifts from local makers and producers. Pair it with Chichester Cathedral, a short walk away.
Image: chichestercathedral.org.ukLuxmuralis, the artist Peter Walker and composer David Harper, turn Chichester Cathedral into a canvas of light and sound for the annual Light Experience. This year's theme, Illuminating Art, projects four centuries of art onto the architecture, from the Baroque and the Impressionists to early photography, steam and animation, before a finale in the nave. Walk round at your own pace.
Image: Chichester Festival TheatreA gentle, funny festive story created by Michael Morpurgo, made as a first Christmas theatre trip for 3 to 7 year olds. It lasts about an hour in the intimate Minerva Theatre.
A makers' market spread through the estate rooms of West Dean House and its front lawn, with art, crafts, food and drink from more than 45 stalls. Carol singing, live music and demonstrations from West Dean tutors add to the atmosphere.
Image: Weald & Downland Living MuseumThe open-air museum near Chichester sets its half-term in 1665, with a village healer's potions trail and spooky games at Hambrook. Ghost stories and a Victorian schoolroom session round out the week.
Image: Weald & Downland Living MuseumOn Halloween itself the museum adds extra characters and makes to its half-term programme. Highlights include a woodland spell-jar workshop and a wise woman's cottage full of strange cures.
A 900-year-old cathedral in the centre of Chichester, free to enter by donation and welcoming to dogs. Look out for the John Piper tapestry, and the peregrine falcons that nest on the spire.
Photo: Peter Trimming, CC BY-SA 2.0Chichester Festival Theatre stands in Oaklands Park in Chichester and describes itself as a local theatre with a world-class profile. It runs three spaces, the Festival Theatre, the Minerva and The Nest, with a programme of plays, musicals and Shakespeare plus comedy, live music and shows for young children. Its Christmas show is one of the region's big festive outings.
More than 50 rescued historic buildings tell the story of 1,000 years of rural life in the South Downs. Step inside historic homes, watch traditional craftspeople at work and meet the animals, with dogs on short leads welcome too.
A 900-year-old cathedral in the centre of Chichester, free to enter by donation and welcoming to dogs. Look out for the John Piper tapestry, and the peregrine falcons that nest on the spire.