There’s a new Selsey to Chichester Pilgrim Trail called the Chichester950 Way. It’s been created by Chichester Cathedral as it celebrates its 950th anniversary, in partnership with the British Pilgrimage Trust. It’s approximately 14.5 km.
The story behind the Chichester950 Way
Wilfrid (634-709), aka St Wilfrid was known for many things including being Bishop of York. But having been banished from Northumbria, he arrived in what is now Selsey in West Sussex in 681 AD. One story has it that he was trying to convert the splendidly heathen locals, but they were starving owing to a draught. So Wilfrid taught them to fish and as a result, their conversion to Christianity thereafter was swift!
Whatever the truth of that, he built an abbey and cathedral at Selsey and became the 1st Bishop of Selsey. The Selsey coastline has changed much in the intervening years and the abbey and cathedral have long since been washed away or lost but the site is thought to have been close to where you’ll now find St Wilfrid’s Chapel, Church Norton. In 1066, following the Norman invasion, it was decided that cathedrals should be moved to more central locations and in 1075, the Bishop’s seat was moved to Chichester, and construction on the new Chichester Cathedral began.
It is this, that has inspired this new pilgrim trail.
Echoes of the past
You do not have to be religious to be moved by the idea of a pilgrim trail. There is something about walking in the footsteps of the long since gone that is profoundly moving. The Chichester950 Way builds on this sense of connection by winding its way through some beautiful and remote countryside, passing three small churches on the way before arriving at the impressive cathedral.
Logistics
You can download details from the British Pilgrimage Trust – you have to subscribe and they send you GPX files. Or you can just take your own map and follow the instructions provided on the Chichester Cathedral website. The route begins at St Wilfrid’s Church at Church Norton near Selsey. There is parking there (and the remains of a Motte and Bailey castle). Alternatively, either catch the number 51 bus from Chichester or Selsey to the nearby RSPB Pagham Harbour visitor centre, or walk to the start from Selsey (but it’s about 3.5 km from the Selsey lifeboat station). The Chichester950 Way itself is not waymarked.
The route
Starting at Church Norton, visit the church, parts of which date to the 12th and 13th century. This used to be part of a bigger church that was moved into Selsey in 1864. It’s an evocative little church in a quiet corner and spend a moment looking out over Pagham Harbour or walk down to the sea before you set off on your pilgrimage.
From here, follow the Coastal Path (well signed) around Pagham Harbour until you get to Sidlesham Quay and then pick up the Selsey Tram Way. You’re heading to St Mary’s Church at Sidlesham. You have to deviate slightly off the Selsey Tram Way to get to the church which dates from the early 13th century.
The Chichester950 Way then heads north, via the old Roman road, across Chichester Golf Club (yes, there is a right of way) to St Leodegar’s Church (if in doubt, follow the Selsey Tram Way markers). The current St Leodegar’s church building replaced the earlier Medieval church and was built in 1885, although there has probably been a church here since Saxon times.
From here, it’s a short walk to Chichester Canal and the Poyntz Bridge. You get your first views of the cathedral from here too – a view that was immortalised by the artist J.M.W. Turner. From here, it’s easy to find your way to the cathedral.
Arriving at Chichester Cathedral
Pilgrims are encouraged to enter Chichester Cathedral in the traditional way, namely barefoot, through the Cloisters to the Shrine of St Richard.
The Chichester950 exhibition
2025 marks the 950th anniversary since the foundations of the cathedral were laid. As a result, there is a special exhibition Religion, Rebellion and Reformation, running until 15 November 2025 which includes a collection of fascinating objects and artefacts along with the stories that go with them.
Among the highlights are a 15th-century pilgrim badge showing the crowned Virgin on a crescent moon and a medieval ampulla, once used to carry holy water or oil from a saint’s shrine. But whenever you visit, Chichester Cathedral has the ability to inspire awe.
A journey for all
If you’ve never explored this corner of Sussex, then walking the Chichester950 Way will be time well spent. There are parts of this walk that feel wonderfully remote and evocative with the smell of the sea quietly fading as you walk your way towards Chichester.
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