Chichester
Whether you are exploring the South Downs, enjoying the scenic coastal
villages and harbour, or immersing yourself in the culture, arts and
heritage of the area, the cathedral city of Chichester and its
surroundings offers visitors a unique experience.
Located about 10 km from the sea on the south coast of England, Chichester lies at the north edge of a plain surrounded mainly by farmland. To the immediate north is the start of the South Downs, a range of hills that rarely exceed an altitude of around 200 metres but contain some of the most attractive scenery in England. About 100 km to the north lies the UK capital, London and just some 145 km across the water to the south lies the north coast of France on the European mainland.
Dating back to the first century BC and called Noviomagus it became the trading and administrative centre for the Roman military base, the nearby palaces, such as the one built for the client-king Cogidubnus in Fishbourne, as well as the other settlements in this area.
Renamed Regnum, the Romans built a wall around the city and laid out the grid pattern of streets at the centre of which is the Tudor Market Cross joining the city's four main Georgian shopping streets.
The final name "Chichester" derives from the Saxon name for the city of
Cissa's Caestra in the fifth century.
A number of medieval buildings remain to this day and parts of the medieval wall can still be walked. Also there are Roman remains to be found in and around the city.
Chichester is today an attractive and compact Georgian city, the administrative capital of West Sussex and the cathedral city of both East and West Sussex.
For those who enjoy the arts, Chichester is home to the internationally renowned Chichester Festival Theatre as well as Pallant House Gallery, home to one of the best permanent collections of British Modern Art in the country. To the west are Fishbourne Roman Palace, which houses stunning mosaics. To the north is Goodwood House with its recreated Egyptian Dining Room and State Apartments.
To the east is Tangmere Military Aviation Museum which displays incredible aviation memorabilia especially from the 'Battle of Britain'.
South we have Selsey's traditional seaside resort as are the villages of The Witterings and Bracklesham Bay also popular with visitors for their glorious stretches of sandy beach and striking views.
Chichester Harbour, also to the south houses a marina and is classed as an
'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty' Minesweepers were built in and around
the harbour during the Second World War.
Close by is the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum at Singleton which comprises a large and unusual collection of restored historical buildings from the past 500 years and in the neighbouring village is the exquisite West Dean Gardens set against the backdrop of the South Downs.
It is in this historical setting that Greytower Technologies (UK) has found its home.