Litten House is close to the centre with its shops, hostelries and restaurants as well as the renowned Festival Theatre. The scenic coastline and the hills of the South Downs give the place a special flavour. There is a wealth of festivals around this area: Chichester, Petworth and Arundel host summer music and drama festivals; sports include historic motor racing at the Festival of Speed in June and a September meeting at the Goodwood motor circuit; horse racing on top of the South Downs at Goodwood Racecourse from May to September, and also at Fontwell Park Racecourse, polo at Cowdray Park, as well as sailing, windsurfing and plenty of golf courses.

Historical background and attractions The Romans invaded south east England in AD 43 and founded Chichester almost immediately. This small city has a Norman cathedral, and a preponderance of fine Georgian houses.

Nearby are attractions ranging through history: a Roman palace at Fishbourne: an 11th century Norman castle at Arundel; Bosham's Saxon Church is depicted in the Bayeux Tapestries and King Canute is reputed to have failed to turn back the tide at Bosham harbour; stately Uppark House recently restored by the National Trust: a 16th century house and park at Petworth and at Parham, an Edwardian garden at West Dean, and a variety of museums including the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum which reconstructs buildings from the middle ages. Within easy reach is Portsmouth and its historic dockyards.

Five minutes walk from us is Pallant House Gallery, recently renovated, which has been described as one of the best modern art collections in the south of England