Priory Park, Chichester

Priory Park is a public park in Chichester, West Sussex, England, operated by Chichester District Council. It is situated in the north-east quadrant of Chichester City centre. The park is bordered by the medieval city walls to the north and east which are built upon the original Roman foundations. The park contains Chichester Castle and the Guildhall.[1]

Priory Park
View of Priory Park overlooking Chichester Cathedral
Priory Park, Chichester is located in Chichester city centre
Priory Park, Chichester
Location of Priory Park
TypePublic park
LocationChichester, West Sussex, England
Coordinates50°50′21″N 0°46′34″W
Established1918 (1918)
Operated byChichester District Council
OpenYear round during daylight

History
Sport Fields

The poet and artist William Blake was tried in the guildhall located in the park[2]

The park has also played host to county cricket matches, holding its first first-class match in 1852 (before the park itself was established) when Sussex played an All-England Eleven.

In 1882 and 1886 the touring Australians played on the ground, although Sussex were not their opponents: they played Lord March's XI (owner of the nearby Goodwood Estate) and against a United Eleven.

It was in the Australians' match against the United Eleven that the great W.G. Grace played on the ground.

Having last played on the ground in 1852, Sussex returned there in 1906 playing a 1906 County Championship match against local rivals Hampshire. Sussex last played on the ground in 1950 against Glamorgan.

In May 2017, two Roman town houses were found underneath the park using Ground penetrating radar equipment. One of the houses included a hot room and baths.[3]

Present

Today the ground is used by Chichester Priory Park Cricket Club who play in the Sussex Cricket League Division Two.

Chichester City Colts Under 9's football team play here too, it is affectionately known as 'The Fortress'

  • Park in Autumn
    Park in Autumn
  • Bowling Green
    Bowling Green
  • Park in snow
    Park in snow
  • North walls
    North walls

References
  1. "Priory Park". Chichester District Council. Archived from the original on 14 June 2011.
  2. "The Novium Museum - History of The Guildhall". www.thenovium.org. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  3. "Chichester Roman bath house found under Priory Park". BBC News. Archived from the original on 10 February 2019. Retrieved 4 June 2017.


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