Chichester Cathedral Close

This pretty building now houses the Education Centre of Chichester Cathedral. Probably originally built, along with other houses in the close, in the 11th or 12th century. Its construction indicates that it has been repaired many times. In Large you can see it consists of knapped flint, ashlar and brick. It was most likely built as a home for cathedral dignitaries, chaplains or similar, for their easy access to the Cathedral. The interesting thing is that this close is built parallel to West Street at the other side of the Cathedral, rather than aligned with the Cathedral axis. West Street was the original Roman Road, so this orientation points to the use of an existing track rather than the creation of a new one of the more usual design for a Church.. Amazing to think we are walking on a road so ancient with houses of this age still in daily use.

The arch to the right leads through to the cloisters, 15th century in origin, but they have been substantially restored.

The green space in front is the graveyard known as Paradise. Today it’s a lovely walk to the cathedral precincts, but still contains ancient gravestones. Sometimes plays are acted here, with additional ‘prop’ gravestones which house actors ready to rise up from the dead. In the twilight, it’s impossible to tell that these are props, very startling when the stones start to groan and rise.

The rain had stopped and the sun came out later, 18 degrees and quite balmy.