Friends of Bishop’s Palace Garden Chichester

The garden we can visit today, known as Bishop’s Palace Garden, is an integral part of the original Bishop’s Palace, which was initially laid out when the Cathedral moved from Selsey in 1075. Despite limited historical documentation pertaining to the garden during its first 500 years, it is first depicted on the earliest known map of Chichester dating back to 1595. Throughout the centuries, documented evidence indicategyhtuys the gradual evolution of the garden, culminating in its last significant transformation in 1974, resulting in the largest portion being leased to Chichester District Council.

The city of Chichester was planned by the Romans in a grid formation that is still evident today. The walls were constructed in the 3rd Century. The original Roman walls form the boundary to the west and south sides of the Garden. Visitors can walk along these walls and enjoy views of the surrounding areas. The current layout of the garden is a result of a detailed Management Plan developed by the Parks and Green Spaces Officer of Chichester District Council, in collaboration with the Friends of Bishop’s Palace Garden, established in 2006, and the Plan was officially adopted in 2009. This initiated many enhancements throughout the garden, including the improvement of footpaths, access to the top of the walls, extensive herbaceous planting, and the introduction of several new trees.

For those interested in delving deeper into the garden’s history, a booklet titled ‘Bishop’s Palace Garden, Chichester: A History’ authored by Brian Hopkins is available for purchase from Kim’s Bookshop in Arundel.

Friends

The Friends of Bishop’s Palace Garden have been actively supporting Chichester District Council since 2006, dedicating their time and effort to maintain and improve the garden. If you visit the garden on a Monday or Wednesday morning, you’ll easily spot them in their vibrant yellow hi-vis jackets, diligently doing the myriad tasks essential for the upkeep and enhancement of this expansive garden.

The Friends has a small mangement group who work alongside the Council in developing short and long term plans for the Garden and is also responsible for the reviewing and updating of the constitution and policies.