Just a few words to begin: as you know from my home page, I am currently working as an au-pair in the village called Nutbourne, which is very near to Chichester (about 5 miles away from Chichester - the country city of West Sussex, south England). I was thinking - why I am exactly in Chichester, but it is a long story, so I put just a few ideas for you to imagine what Chichester is like:

THE VIEW OF CHICHESTER
WHERE IS CHICHESTER? Chichester is an unknown city, because it has a cathedral that nobody knows until I say it is near Brighton. Officially the definition of Chichester can sounds as followed: The City of Chichester is located on the south coast of England, between Brighton and the ferry port of Portsmouth, and on a direct rail link with Gatwick and London airport. The city has a variety of historic and cultural attractions, including the beautiful Cathedral, Roman Palace and Festival Theatre.
WHAT IS CHICHESTER? For me it is a different kind of life, I can meet other people from all over the world, learn from them and they can learn from me. I can learn English and watch how the people live here, what is the weather like, what are the priorities for the local people
WHO IS CHICHESTER? Chichester is the people that come, stay, fall in love, learn, claim, cry, say hello or say good bye. If you need to find somebody, you must go to Tescos and you can be sure that she/he will shop here, today or tomorrow.
WHEN IS CHICHESTER? In the new Millenium. From 11/00 to summer/01.
HOW IS CHICHESTER? What a peaceful, clean and lovely little city here! There are many useful public facilities in Chichester. The atmosphere around the Chichester cathedral makes me feel so calm only sitting there. You could get a first impression in Chichester that it is not a lively and busy city and you would need to think about your own interesting things to do. Just so you can have fun, in order not to be a dead man eating only fish & chips or McDonalds stuff
WHY IS CHICHESTER? Everyone has its own reason, maybe to study, to improve English, to have relationships, to fall in love, to think, to have a rest, to forget, to start Finally, staying here can open your mind and bring freedom into your heart. I am here, I am lucky (or not?!?).

THE CITY OF CHICHESTER ...centre of attraction
When William Camden described the City of Chichester in his pioneer history of Britain in the 16th century he wrote: 'The city hath four gates, opening to the four quarters of the world'. Camden had thus already established it as a centre. The old gates have now gone but much of the Roman wall remains.
The Council Chamber, North Street. The four main streets stretch out like a compass following the Roman and medieval plan and, although small in scale, Chichester radiates great stature. The old city packed itself between the walls yet there are unusually fine areas of park and gardens. It is not a place that gives up its secrets easily, but the person who is prepared to walk for a day will find it a deeply rewarding experience. Behind the main streets you become aware of the antiquity that modern facades have in many cases disguised.
That Chichester is a Georgian city is soon obvious; to find its medieval aspect it is necessary to search more diligently. On a fine day you will discover the colour of Tudor and Georgian brickwork, mellow tiling and grey flints. Dr Thomas Sharp has commented: '...outside the special places like Oxford, Cambridge and Bath (which in any case are much bigger), the city has few rivals, and certainly none among the smaller towns'.

CHICHESTER was founded in AD 70 by the Romans and has been a vibrant city ever since. It was chosen specifically for its warm climate and beautiful countryside, with the south Downs to the north and the Chichester Harbour and coastal beaches to the south. Chichester's two thousand years of heritage is still very much in evidence.
The medieval Walls Walk offers splendid views of the city's parks and gardens as well as much of the Georgian architecture. Chichester Cathedral was dedicated in 1108 and is the site of the shrine of St Richard. Its treasures range from Romanesque stone carvings to 20th Century works of art by Sutherland, Freibusch, Proktor, Chagall, Skelton, Piper, and Ursula Benker Schirmer. the spire dominates the Sussex Plain for miles around. At the centre of Chichester are Georgian shopping streets with many curious shops and places to eat. The Tudor Market Cross (built 1501) stands in the centre of the four main shopping streets.
Chichester is also home to the internationally renowned Chichester Festival Theatre, first directed by Laurence Olivier and filled with famous actors and actresses ever since. During the summer season there are plays and musicals with all-star casts and in winter a variety of ballet, concerts and pantomimes. Information about Chichesters Heritage can be discovered free of charge at the Chichester District Museum in Little London, off East Street. During July visitors can savour the Chichester Festivities, one of Britains leading arts festivals which is based in the Cathedral and its environs and includes classical concerts, jazz, exhibitions and a range of fringe events. Chichester Harbour, with its 50 miles of shoreline, provides a natural habitat for a wide variety of birds, flora and fauna.
The surrounding countryside, with its old market towns of Midhurst and Petworth, and the South Downs, form an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with much to offer.
Local Tourist Information Centres: Chichester (01243 775888), Petworth (01798 343523), Midhurst (01730 817322).

HAYLING ISLAND & HAVANT
Havant is a peaceful tranquil place where you can rediscover your soul. Between Chichester and Portsmouth lie beautiful harbours., seashores, woodlands and pretty villages, just waiting to be discovered.
It is a place where the world hurries around you but you can stop, take time for yourself, look at the view, watch over the harbours, or see the distant ships roll into and away from the Solent. A harbour-side path links the picturesque village of Langstone, with its waterfront pubs and thatched cottages, to Emsworth, a small village with Georgian buildings and a beautiful quayside. The journey across the meadows between the villages will take you past the remains of the wildly romantic Warblington Castle and fascinating historic churchyard, taking in the wild flowers and reeded brooks along the way.
High tide brings an opportunity for pub patrons to sit on the quay and dip their toes into the harbour whilst sipping their drinks. Emsworth has a cosmopolitan selection of restaurants and places to eat, from pubs and cafes with locally caught fish to a Michelinstarred restaurant. Truly a foodie paradise. The waterfront and millponds are delightful and the traditional boat building industry adds to the harbour atmosphere. In Roman times Hayling Island could only be reached by crossing the wadeway at low tide but since then a white-painted rodad bridge has made access easier for those wishing to explore. Northney Church is the final resting place of a Russian princess and the thatched cottages, barns and stables, which can be discovered in the green heart of Hayling, make it a pleasure for the eye. The western shores of Hayling are easily accessible to visitors and the historic oyster beds are now home to a multitude of rare bird life.
The southern beaches of Hayling have European Blue Flag Awards, the water is clear and bright with vast expanses of sandbank exposed at low tide, making it safe for all the family to swim. An area is specially designated for wind and kite surfers, which is a great sport to watch even if you dont feel brave enough to try it yourself! This area is considered one of the best in the world for sailing and a myriad of sails can be seen racing with the wind at the weekends. The great Hayling Amusement Park allows visitors to enjoy some excitement without getting their feet wet. Staunton Country Park holds delights for all the family. This original Victorian ornamental farm is full of wonderful friendly animals. The tropical glasshouses are full of the Sir George Staunton collection of exotic plants and the Capability Brown landscaped garden is home to mature trees and intriguing follies. There is so much to see and do in this area and lingering for a while in Havant you will discover warm, welcoming and friendly people to whom you will want to return.
Local Tourist Information Centres: Havant (02392 480024), Hayling Island (02392 467111).

Here I'd like to introduce the most beautiful places to go around Chichester.

A few conceptions to start with:

ENGLISH NATURE - organisation, which was set up by Parliament in 1991 and has the legal powers and duties, in England, of the organisation which it replaced, the nature Conservancy Council.

NATIONAL NATURE RESERVES - are special places where the interests of wildlife and natural features must come first. Visitors to this reserve are always welcome but are asked to follow the Country Code and local bye-laws.

1. KINGLEY VALE - National Nature Reserve. This is the finest yew forest in Europe within 30.000 yew trees. Bronze age kings were buried here in tumili, 3000 years ago. Nature lovers can find this place with a quite high hill on the way from Chichester to Funtington, turn right in the turning behind East Ashling, you can see the sign showing the way to West Stroke and Lavant, after about 300 meters turn left and park in the car park, cross the gate and follow the trail, you can not miss it!

Kingley Vale is one of almost 200 National Nature Reserves (NNRs) in England. Most are cared for by English Nature, on your behalf. Other organisations may also manage NNRs, but only those bodies formally 'approved' by English Nature to do so. Kingley Vale was established as a National Nature Reserve in 1954. It is owned by English Nature. Its most remarcable feature is its yew forest. Yew woods flourish on steep chalk downland slopes. The forest of yews here is by far the largest in Britain and the ewual of any in western Europe. For this reason, Kingley Vale is to be given the highest level of protection possible under European legislation, by its designation as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

As you wander through the deeply shaded gloom of the ancient grove, it is easy to believe in the legends of hauntings or that the trees were planted to marka victory over the Vikings in the Dark Ages. Their true age has long been debated but research in 1995 suggested that some may pre-date the foundation of Christianity and may be among the oldest living things in Britain. The leaves of yew are poisonous to many mammals, as are the seeds, but birds feast in winter on the pulpy red fruits. Foxes, badgers, deer and common shrews also find them tasty. Yew is one of only three species of conifer which occurs naturally in Britain, the others being juniper and Scots pine. Juniper shrubs here help to 'nurse' the young qew seedlings by providing shelter.

SPRING: The Reserve is rich in wildlife but much will only be seen on heard by the quietly observant. Not easily overlooked, however, are birds like chaffinch, robin, blackbird and various members of the tit family, all of which are in full song by March. These residents are soon joined by migrants - mostly from Africa - like the chiffchaff, willow warbler, whitethroat, lesser whitethroat, blackcap and cuckoo. Increasingly, some chiffchaffs and blackcaps over-winter in southern England. Hares use the reserve as a dormitory and may best be watched on warm April evenings, when small parties emerge to display on the adjoining fields.
Kingley Vale is one of the best National Nature Reserves for butterflies, with 33 species regularly breeding. The unmistakeable brimstone with its primrose yellow colouring is one of the first to emerge. butterfly numbers have been monitored at this reserve for as long as anywhere in Britain. The data which is gathered here helps with future management decisions and is of vital importance.

2. CHICHESTER HARBOUR NATURE RESERVE

3. HAYLING ISLAND - BEACHLANDS

4. EAST AND WEST WITTERINGS

5. ISLE OF WIGHT

6. NEW FOREST

7. TOWNS AND VILLAGES SUCH AS HAVANT, PORTSMOUTH, PORTCHESTER, BOGNOR REGIS, SOUTHHAMPTON, EMSWORTH, COBNOR, ARUNDEL, GUILDFORD, MIDHURST, PETWORTH, DORCHESTER, WEYMOUTH, PORTLAND, WINCHESTER...

In the picture below is the college where I studied English as a second language as a part-time student (11/00-07/01):