111 Places in Chichester and West Sussex That You Shouldn’t Miss (2nd Edition)
By Norman Miller & Alexandra Loske
Published by Emons
RRP: £13.99
“This looks fabulous. As a Chi girl, I can’t wait to read it.”
— Kate Mosse, novelist and historian
First impressions: Size, quality and design
The production quality is excellent. The matte cover finish gives it a premium, tactile feel, with an embossed image of Chichester Cathedral on the front and a collage of Sussex scenes on the back. It has a pleasing weight in the hand, substantial without being heavy, and would make a lovely gift that you’d be happy to receive as well as a practical day-trip companion. Roughly A5 in size, it is perfect for a backpack or bag when you’re out exploring.
Series, publisher and audience
This guide forms part of the “111 Places” series, aimed at locals and experienced travellers who want to go beyond the obvious and uncover lesser-known stories, corners and curiosities.
Published by Emons, known for high-quality, characterful travel guides, the book promises to inspire locals and visitors alike, and begins delivering on that as early as the front inside cover.
Structure, layout and usability
The 111 places featured are arranged alphabetically from Amberley to West Wittering, making it easy to browse or plan visits. And the book feels thoughtfully designed for real-world wandering.
Each location is presented across a double-page, with a colour photograph (taken by Norman Miller) and a practical information panel including an address, directions, opening hours and a local tip. Over 90 of the entries and accompanying photographs were created by Norman Miller.
At the back are two maps, one covering West Sussex, and another detailing Chichester city locations, making it easy to cluster visits and turn inspiration into exploration.
Reader expectations: Will you learn anything new?
As someone who knows West Sussex well, I approached the book with two questions in mind:
Would I learn anything new about familiar places? And would I discover places I hadn’t heard of before?
The answer to both questions is a resounding, yes.
Within the first few entries, I was already learning fresh details, even about well-known locations, which immediately builds confidence in the book’s depth. And the authors strike just the right balance between well-known landmarks, smaller hidden gems and surprising angles on familiar details.
The heart of the book: Diversity, detail and dot-joining
One of the great joys of this book is its sheer diversity. One moment you’re exploring cathedral grotesques and gargoyles; the next, you’re walking through the heather and lowland heath of Iping Common. A few pages later, you’ll find great portraits at Parham House or a charming and quirky gastropub. The range is wide, but it never feels scattered. Instead, it feels like a carefully curated collection of intriguing finds.
Another aspect of this book that shines through is the “dot-joining”. What connects Chichester Market Cross with Alfriston? Or Worthing and Goring with the Sistine Chapel and the Champs-Élysées? I won’t give anything away: discovering those links is part of the joy.
Then there’s the human, story-rich detail that brings places to life. Why is a street called Woolstaplers? What’s the story behind a piece of graffiti? Who was the person behind the blue plaque? Along the way, you’ll encounter memorable figures too from John Marsh the musician to an Iron Age warrior. And you’ll find the answer to questions you didn’t know you had, like why does there appear to be a pair of dodos outside Pallant House Gallery and who is the druid in Priory Park?
Whether you love architecture, unusual shops, historic oddities, rare trees or lighthouses, there is something here to catch your attention and with almost every entry, you’re likely to learn something new.
Three favourite finds
My three absolute favourite discoveries perfectly capture the spirit of this book:
- The Demon Trap in Arundel: I won’t spoil it, but it’s an extraordinary detail most people will miss.
- The Shipman’s Wishbone in Chichester: A reward for looking up and a great, local story.
- Oyster Waymarkers in Littlehampton: Take a photo and try these at home!
These gems sum up what the book does best: helping us notice what we might otherwise overlook.
Price, research depth and overall impression
At £13.99, this book is excellent value. It offers enough inspiration for exploring Chichester, plus countless ideas for discovering more of West Sussex.
Drawing on strong historical and cultural research, it delivers rich backstory without becoming heavy or academic. The authors clearly understand their audience, readers who want depth, character and quirky detail, but in a format that remains accessible and enjoyable.
If you ever feel the authors might have had to dig deep to reach 111 locations, they more than compensate with careful, engaging research. It is neither so detailed and weighty as to overwhelm, nor so light as to feel superficial. Instead, it strikes exactly the right balance of depth with brevity.
This book doesn’t just tell you where to go, it encourages you to look more carefully. It is an absolute treasure trove of places, stories and hidden details, and whether you’re a first-time visitor or a lifelong local, it is almost guaranteed to reveal something new and rekindle your love for Sussex.
About the Authors
Norman Miller is an award-winning journalist for the BBC, The Times and The Guardian, writing across travel, food, history, art and culture. He is also a creative writer of theatre, poetry and short fiction, bringing narrative flair to the book.
Alexandra Loske is a British-German art historian and curator at Brighton & Hove Museums, specialising in late 18th- and early 19th-century European art and architecture. A Sussex resident since 1999, she is a respected writer, broadcaster and lecturer on colour and cultural history.
If you’d like to grab your copy, you can do so here: 111 Places in Chichester and West Sussex That You Shouldn’t Miss (2nd Edition)
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