Chichester Cross, from East Street
To some extent this gift was an act of generosity, providing a covered marketplace from which Chichester's traders could sell their wares. In part however the Bishop was playing politics with the city authorities who had sought greater control over trade in Chichester.
Until 1746 the clock on the cross was square. It was then replaced by four new clocks. How many thousands of Chichester shoppers have been told the time by looking up at the clock's massive black paddles over the quarter of a millennium since the clock was installed?
Until the pedestrianisation of Chichester city centre the streets around the Cross used to be a busy highway with the main coastal road edging around the narrow gap between the Market Cross and the city centre shops.
Nowadays, apart from a few buses, the centre of Chichester is more or less traffic free.
More about interesting old buildings in Chichester
Where to stay near Chichester
Chichester Cross and central Chichester in the snow