Our Recommendations
Things to see and do.
All of our recommendations come from personal experiences enjoyed by members of the Horse & Groom team. We’ve detailed a few of them below for you to explore yourself and hope that you enjoy them as much as we have.
VISITS
Fishbourne Roman Palace dates back to 75AD, around 30 years after the Roman Conquest of Britain. It is a lavish Roman Villa with a recreated Roman garden.
Chichester Cathedral and Surrounds
4 miles
Cathedral Cloisters, Chichester PO19 1PX
01243 782595 visit website
For over nine centuries, Chichester Cathedral has been the centre of life in our neighbouring City. Original medieval features sit alongside world famous contemporary artworks commissioned by successive deans. Unmissable.
Pallant House Gallery is an 18th century town house, turned into a 21st century art gallery with probably the best collection of Modern British works outside the Tate. It is particularly strong in early British Pop Art. Lovely summer garden and a good place for lunch.
Goodwood House is the home of the Richmond family, (former owners of the Horse & Groom!) and the heart of an internationally recognised sporting estate. Renowned for incredible annual events such as the Festival of Speed, Qatar Goodwood Festival and Goodwood Revival to name a few. Great paintings and 18th century interiors.
Arundel Castle is a remodelled motte and bailey castle, dating back to 1069. It is set high on a hill in West Sussex, commanding wonderful views of the Sussex Downs. The town has a great selection of hostelries and antique shops.
GARDENS
West Stoke Bluebell Woods is renowned for delivering a carpet of beautiful bluebell colour from mid-March through to early May. As well as this, the delightful ancient wood contains a mix of native broadleaf and exotic conifers, and a wide variety of bird and butterfly species.
Surrounded by the historic Roman city walls and in the shadow of Chichester Cathedral, Bishops Palace Gardens is the perfect place to take a quiet walk away from the hustle and bustle of Chichester City centre.
Situated at the foot of the South Downs, West Dean Gardens offers the chance to enjoy a gentle walk around a stunning setting. The walled garden is spectacular including working Victorian glasshouses. Outside there is a 300 foot pergola, a spring garden with flint bridges and a spectacular park and arboretum.
Within the beautiful surroundings of Arundel Castle lies a vinery and a nineteenth century walled kitchen garden in addition to the quirky stumpery.
WALKS
Known for its amazing chalk grasslands and ancient twisted yew trees, some of which are among the oldest living things in Britain, Kingley Vale offers visitors a chance to enjoy one of the most important archaeological sites in southern England. It’s worth taking the walk up to the ancient burial mounds for incredible views of Chichester Harbour. 1.5 hour walk.
Head to Bosham Quay for lovely walks around the shoreline and village. Bosham church is so ancient it featured in the Bayeux Tapestry. The terrace of the Anchor Bleu is a great place for a sunset drink. 1 hour walk.
With its shifting sand dunes, salt marsh and flowing tides, East Head offers a beautiful coastal path walk with stunning views across to the Isle of Wight. The circular route taking in East Head, Chichester Harbour and West Wittering Village is the perfect way to enjoy one of the south’s most picturesque coastlines. 1.5 hour walk.
FOOD
The award-winning Adsdean Farm Shop has been plying its trade for more than 60 years. The working family farm with its mixture of cattle, pigs and 240 acres of arable crops supplies our South Down breakfast sausages.
Delicious ice cream served every day from a vintage ice cream van. Careful where you park during high tide. Watch ‘Bosham Car Wash 2, The Movie’ on YouTube before you go!
The Thomas Heatherwick designed beach front cafe offers an uncomplicated but modern English seaside menu, East Beach Cafe is the perfect setting to enjoy a tasty and relaxed meal after a long walk along the promenade.
SHOPPING
We love the vintage fashion, perfect for the Goodwood Revival.
Well curated 20th century British and contemporary art. Candida puts on interesting exhibitions often mixing contemporary and established artists.
A quaint, yet delightful selection of independent creative businesses that are all housed within a mini village of sheds. Well worth a visit for inspiration.
A long-standing local favourite, modern ladies fashion in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Lyn the owner and buyer has a great eye.
Eclectic and tasteful antiques in the centre of Arundel selected by Spencer and Freya who supplied much of the furniture in the Horse & Groom.
LOCAL TOURS
Join local ornithologist Hugh Baggaley for a guided walk around the Harbour at Bosham ( a five minute drive from the Horse & Groom) to discover the remarkable array of birds found here. On the walk you will learn how to find and identify different species, as well as learn about their lives and habits. Chichester Harbour is an internationally important site for wintering wetland birds including waders, ducks and geese. Many migratory birds also stop off here on their travels, owing to the position on the south coast. The walk is suitable for all levels of knowledge, and no prior experience is required.
The tour takes approximately 4 hours.
Experience riding an ebike from the Horse & Groom across the beautiful harbour landscape to arrive at one of England's best beaches or up and over the South Downs towards South Harting. James is the perfect guide. No previous experience is needed and he will make ebike experience perfect. James is also a superb local guide with history, culture and the natural world all explained along the way.
The tour takes approximately 4 hours.
Join an experienced guide on a leisurely walk around the centre of the City and learn about the history of some of the main buildings in the four principle streets and in some of the quieter side roads.
The tour takes approximately 90 minutes and is available Wednesdays at 11am and Saturdays at 2pm.
Chichester Cathedral is full of history art and intrigue and there is no better way to see it than with the expert Cathedral guides. The Cathedral is particularly renowned for its modern artworks, including important pieces by John Piper, Graham Sutherland and Marc Chagall. Many of these were commissioned by Dean Walter Hussey, a great patron of the arts, during his time in office from 1955-77. As well as the general tours specialist tours of the art and stained glass are available.
Guides offer tours of the Cathedral at 11.30am and 2.30pm Monday to Saturday – approximately 45 minutes duration. Booking is at the Cathedral Gift Shop within the Treasury on the day of the tour.
Chichester Harbour is one of the most beautiful harbours in England. Designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), it has been voted as one of the best places to visit in the UK by Lonely Planet.
Departures are available most days from May until October, from Chichester Marina.
