Bishop's Palace Gardens, Chichester

Bishop's Palace Garden, Chichester

Tucked away in the heart of Chichester, between the Cathedral's southwestern edge and the ancient City Walls, lies a remarkable green oasis with nearly 900 years of history - the Bishop's Palace Gardens.

While still officially the garden of the Bishop of Chichester, this peaceful 14-acre sanctuary welcomes visitors during daylight hours, offering a serene escape from the bustling city centre.

History

The garden's story begins in 1075 when Chichester Cathedral relocated from Selsey to the south-west quadrant of the walled city. The Bishop of Chichester took the western half of this area for his official residence, the Bishop's Palace. Part of the palace grounds were given over to gardens, both ornamental and a kitchen garden to supply the palace kitchens.

The Pergola Walk

The gardens we see today were established in 1147-48 and sit within the original Roman grid layout of Chichester, bounded on two sides by the impressive Roman walls built in the 3rd century. The south and west boundaries of the garden are formed by the Roman city walls and garden visitors can access the wall walk for wonderful views over the garden below.

In the centre of the south wall is one of the last remaining Roman bastions. The bastion, or defensive tower, provided a platform for a large ballista, a form of huge crossbow.

The earliest known depiction of the gardens appears on a 1595 map of Chichester, offering us a fascinating glimpse into their Tudor-era layout.

The city wall walk and Roman bastion

Through the centuries, these gardens have evolved alongside the changing needs and tastes of their caretakers. A significant chapter in their history opened in 1974 when the largest portion was leased to Chichester District Council for public enjoyment. This arrangement continues today, with the Council maintaining this historic space for everyone to enjoy.

In 2006, the Friends of Bishop's Palace Garden group was established, marking the beginning of an exciting period of renovation. Working with the Council's Parks and Green Spaces Officer, they developed a comprehensive Management Plan in 2009 that has transformed the space while preserving its historical character. Recent improvements include enhanced footpaths, better access to the city walls, and extensive new plantings.

Chichester Cathedral tower from the gardens

The Gardens Today

Today's visitors can explore a variety of carefully designed spaces within the gardens. A charming pergola, or rose walk, features climbing clematis and honeysuckle, while an alpine garden and wildlife-friendly areas attract diverse flora and fauna. The borders burst with colour, from bright yellow goldenrod to pink hydrangeas and peonies, interspersed with aromatic herbs.

Perhaps most impressive is the garden's collection of specimen trees, many of historical and medicinal significance. Notable examples include a black mulberry, sweet gum, ginkgo, foxglove tree, and quince. A yellow buckeye, cousin to the familiar horse chestnut, stands as one of several champion trees in the collection.

The Bishop's Palace

From the Bishop's Palace entrance to the garden, you will see the Bishop’s Palace private vegetable garden beyond a thick hedge. To the left is a small wildlife garden area. Perhaps the most impressive garden area is the Pergola Walk, lush with colour in the summer months and offering unrivalled views of the cathedral.

Beyond the Pergola Walk is a small pond ringed with benches and beyond that is an arboretum featuring a metasequoia, mulberry, and Holm oak. Tucked into the lee of the historic city walls are a handkerchief tree and the Bishop's Palace lime.

The walled garden

Garden Highlights

A formal walled garden. Some of the walls date to the 16th century.
A boardwalk bed featuring Mediterranean plants
The Vista, a garden area planted with herbaceous beds featuring warm colours to the east and cool colours to the west
A rose pergola that featuring climbing roses, clematis, and honeysuckle
An arboretum that is home to about 100 rare and unusual trees and shrubs. Within the arboretum area is a Giant Redwood tree (sequoia) and a Handkerchief Tree
A wildlife garden, complete with a bog garden area

The pergola walk in spring

Trees

At present, there are 286 numbered trees in the garden. These form part of the Chichester Tree Trail, taking in examples of important trees around the city. Here is a partial list, focussing on unusual species (common names only):

Black Mulberry
Black Spruce
Cabbage Palm
Chusan Palm
Coast Redwood
Cork Oak
Crab Apple
Crape Myrtle
Eucryphia
Field Maple
Fig
Handkerchief Tree
Himalayan Birch
Holm Oak
Honey Locust
Hornbeam
Hybrid Lime
Indian Horse Chestnut
Irish Yew
Italian Cypress
Japanese Hackberry
Japanese Red Cedar
Judas Tree
Laburnum
Loquat
Magnolia
Mahonia
Maidenhair Tree
North American Indian Horse Chestnut
Persian Ironwood
Pride of India
Purple Sycamore
Quince
Siberian Spruce
Sweet Bay
Sweet Gum
Tibetan Cherry
Tree Fern
Wellingtonia Redwood
Western Red Cedar

Tudor tower and the city walls

A Hidden Treasure

Despite its central location, the garden remains something of a hidden treasure, concealed behind high walls and accessible through narrow alleyways past the cathedral. This sense of discovery adds to its charm - visitors who venture through the cloisters past the cathedral cafÃ© are rewarded with an unexpected paradise of greenery, complete with water features, a pergola walk, and plenty of peaceful spots for contemplation.

The Bishop's Palace Gardens stand as a living testament to Chichester's rich history, offering a rare glimpse into how a medieval bishop's garden has evolved into a beloved public space. Whether you're interested in history, horticulture, or simply seeking a moment of tranquillity, these gardens provide a remarkable window into England's gardening heritage while serving the modern community as a vital green space.

Chichester Cathedral from the Vista viewpoint

Visiting

Access to the garden is on foot only. There are three access points:

1. At the western end of Canon Lane (accessed through Canon Gate on South Street). Go under the gateway to the Bishop's Palace at the end of the lane and turn left. PO19 1PY

2. Through the cathedral cloisters

3. At the south-east side of the roundabout off Avenue de Chartres (PO19 1RP) - access via a pedestrian footpath behind the restaurant car park.

The garden is open to the public from 8 a.m. until dusk, daily.