Chichester Cathedral

Chichester Cathedral stands in the centre of Chichester, a small city in West Sussex. Built in 1075, it replaced an earlier cathedral founded by St Wilfrid in 681. The building mixes Norman and Gothic styles, with round-topped windows and massive piers beside ribbed vaults and lancet windows. Two features are unique in England: a free-standing medieval bell tower and double aisles running the length of the nave and choir. The cathedral houses rare medieval sculptures and modern works commissioned by Walter Hussey during his time as dean. The spire reaches 82 metres and is the third tallest in England, visible from the sea. Its history includes collapses in 1210, 1635 and 1861, each time rebuilt along the original lines. Christopher Wren repaired the spire after a lightning strike in 1721. The 1861 collapse inspired J. Meade Falkner’s novel The Nebuly Coat. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert contributed to the rebuilding fund after the 1861 disaster. Inside, the plan forms a cross with aisled nave and choir, a square-ended east end and a Lady chapel. Norman work remains in the nave, transept and crossing, while the Gothic east end shows Early English ribbed vaults and flying buttresses. A cloister runs along the south side. The green copper roof, installed after the Second World War, was recently replaced with thick grey lead panels to withstand coastal weather.