What's On

Showing 22 events for 19 April 2025 to 20 July 2025:

• The Selsey Tramway

  13/07/2024 to 31/03/2026

  Location: The Novium Museum

  This exhibition recounts the fascinating but ill-fated story of Selsey Tramway.
  
  The exhibition recounts how a railway line was proposed to link the then remote and isolated village of Selsey with Chichester. By August 1897, the Selsey Tramway was born, operated by The Hundred of Manhood and Selsey Tramway Company.
  View more details for Selsey Tramway
  

  

  Exhibitions

• I Grew Up 80s

  07/12/2024 to 08/06/2025

  Location: The Novium Museum

  Revisit the vibrancy and innovation that defined a decade!

  'I Grew Up 80s' provides a colourful trip down memory lane, capturing what the decade was like from a child's perspective when music was on cassettes, shellsuits and leg warmers were must-haves and everyone received a Rubik's Cube for Christmas.
  

  The period saw huge developments in science, technology, fashion, entertainment and the way we interact with each other. The exhibition will explore life before the internet and investigates the shared cultural experience of childhood in the 1980s.
  
  Visitors will find more than 200 items of memorabilia showcasing the youthful exuberance of the decade, from toys such as Care Bears, My Little Pony and Transformers, to album covers of timeless musicians like Queen, George Michael, Phil Collins and Kate Bush.
  
  'I Grew Up 80s' offers nostalgic trip down memory lane for many of our visitors, but will also provide an enlightening insight for younger visitors to see the differences between then and now.
  

  As well as exploring what childhood looked like for their parents, children can explore interactive elements of the exhibition including 80s dress up, trivia questions, games and 1980s themed toys, including many old childhood 'must-haves'! 

  
  View more details for I Grew Up 80s
  Book I Grew Up 80s
  

  

  Exhibitions

• Out & Proud in Chichester

  01/02/2025 to 06/09/2025

  Location: The Novium Museum

  Celebrate the history of Chichester Pride and the inspiring stories of our local LGBTQ+ community. This co-curated exhibition, created in collaboration with Chichester Pride, highlights the rich tapestry of LGBTQ+ history, resilience, and pride. Discover powerful personal stories and explore the journey of this vibrant community through a project dedicated to visibility, education, and celebration.
  View more details for Out & Proud in Chichester
  

  

  Exhibitions

• 80s Cel-egg-brity Easter Hunt

  04/04/2025 to 19/04/2025

  Location: The Novium Museum

  Get ready for an eggs-traordinary Easter hunt!
  From Friday 4 to Saturday 19 April, we’re throwing it back to the 80s with our Cel-egg-brity Easter Egg Hunt – a trail packed with egg-citing nostalgia!
  We’ve hidden some egg-stra famous 80s-inspired eggs around the museum. Each Cel-egg-brity holds a secret letter. Find them all and unscramble the letters to find the secret word!
  Trail sheets cost £1.50, and every successful egg-splorer who solves the mystery will receive an Easter prize!
  Drop in during opening hours, no booking required.
  

  

  Family Events

• Rails to Midhurst: an illustrated talk by Bill Gage

  24/04/2025 to 24/04/2025

  Location: The Novium Museum

  Step back in time and discover the fascinating railway history of Midhurst with an engaging illustrated talk by Bill Gage, former Assistant County Archivist at West Sussex Record Office.
  
  This talk is perfect for railway enthusiasts as well as those with an interest in social history. Bill’s presentation is not overly technical, making it accessible and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of your knowledge of railways.
  
  The sleepy town of Midhurst witnessed the rare occurrence of three railway openings—September 1864, October 1866, and July 1881. With three railway lines and two stations, Midhurst became the backdrop to an array of remarkable stories.
  
  In this captivating session, you’ll hear about:
  

  • The funeral train to Midhurst of a major national figure.
  • A runaway engine at Petworth.
  • Royal trains at Singleton and Midhurst.
  • Sir Edward Elgar’s connection to Fittleworth.
  • Wartime damage and dramatic events on the Chichester-Midhurst line.

  To bring the past to life, the talk will also feature film footage of the final train journey over the Pulborough-Petersfield line.
  

  6pm at The Novium Museum. Tickets cost £7 per person, booking in advance is essential. 

  
  Book Rails to Midhurst
  

  

  Talks and Tours

• The Guildhall - Open Morning

  01/05/2025 to 01/05/2025

  Location: The Guildhall, Priory Park

  Come along and see inside this beautiful building! Open 10:00am - 11:30am
  
  Situated in Priory Park, The Guildhall is a Grade 1 listed building with a rich history. The Guildhall was built in the 1270s by the Franciscans and was dissolved In October 1538 by King Henry VIII. The building witnessed many dramatic events in its history including the trial of members of the Hawkhurst Gang and the trial of the poet and artist William Blake. It later served as the town hall and museum but is now mainly used for weddings and events and is rarely open to the public.
  
  Free, drop in event.
  

  

  Special Events

• Quiet Session - I Grew Up 80s

  03/05/2025 to 03/05/2025

  Location: The Novium Museum

  Our quiet sessions are aimed at anyone who feels that they would benefit from a more relaxed experience when visiting I Grew Up In The 80's including, but not limited to, adults and children with autism and other sensory or mental health needs and adults living with dementia. All background noise will be turned off during these sessions and gallery capacity limited. At 10.30am sounds will be turned back on, but you are welcome to remain in the exhibition gallery and museum for as long as you like. 
  
  View more details for Quiet Sessions
  Book Quiet Session
  

  

  Exhibitions

• Discover Roman Chichester Walk

  26/05/2025 to 26/05/2025

  Location: Meet at The Novium Museum

  Explore Chichester's Roman past, uncovering bath houses, walls, mosaics, and daily life before ending at Fishbourne Roman Palace with its stunning gardens. 

  Tickets: £18 adults, £9.50 children. Includes entry to Fishbourne Roman Palace. 

  Early bird offer: Save £1 per ticket when booking before 1 May. 

  
  View more details for Discover Roman Chichester
  Book Now
  

  

  Chichester Roman Week

• Roman Highlights Tour

  27/05/2025 to 27/05/2025

  Location: The Novium Museum

  3pm - Free of charge

  Discover Roman daily life through fascinating objects in this guided museum tour

  
  View more details for Roman Highlights Tour
  Book Now
  

  

  Chichester Roman Week

• Collections Discovery Centre Tour

  27/05/2025 to 27/05/2025

  Location: Meet at Fishbourne Roman Palace

  Tours at 10.30am and 2.30pm. £3 per person (Early Bird offer: save £1 per ticket when booking before 1 May)

  Step behind the scenes with a collections expert to explore archaeological finds and learn how museum artefacts are preserved and researched. 

  
  View more details for Collections Discovery Centre Tour
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  Chichester Roman Week

• Floors, Wars & Emperors

  27/05/2025 to 27/05/2025

  Location: The Novium Museum

  Join Trevor Creighton to explore Roman mosaics, their design, and evolution over 400 years, with examples from Chichester and Chilgrove Mosaics. 

  Tickets £8 (Early bird offer: £7 when you book before 1 May)

  
  View more details for Floors, Wars and Emperors - Mosaics of Roman Britain
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  Chichester Roman Week

• Roman Re-Enactment

  29/05/2025 to 29/05/2025

  Location: Priory Park, Chichester

  Back by popular demand! 

  10am - 4pm in Priory Park. Entry is free. 

  Step into the world of Romans for an action-packed day of battles, demonstrations and hands-on fun! Legio Secunda Augusta, one of Europe's top re-enactment groups, brings history to life with thrilling combat, military drills and living history displays. 

  Don't miss Chichester's most thrilling history event - see you in the arena! 

  
  View more details for Roman Re-Enactment
  

  

  Chichester Roman Week

• Roman Guided Walk & Sketch

  30/05/2025 to 30/05/2025

  Location: Meet at The Novium Museum

  Tickets: £7.50 per child and £5 per accompanying adult. 

  Early Bird Offer: Save £1 per ticket when booking before 1 May

  Journey through Roman Chichester, exploring ancient ruins and daily life in the city, with stops to sketch your discoveries with an artist's guidance. 

  
  View more details for Roman Guided Family Walk & Sketch
  Book Now
  

  

  Chichester Roman Week

• Excavations at Land West of Tangmere: Romano-British remains from ongoing investigations

  30/05/2025 to 30/05/2025

  Location: The Novium Museum

  Talk begins at 6pm. Tickets £8 per person. 

  Early bird offer: Save £1 per ticket when booking before 1 May. 

  Join archaeologists Tom Munnery and Garrett Sheehan from Archaeology-South-East (UCL) as they reveal the latest findings from the ongoing excavations at Land West of Tangmere. This talk will provide insights into the Romano-British remains uncovered during preliminary investigations for the Tangmere Strategic Development Land (SDL) project, offering a fascinating look at the archaeology of the region before development begins.

  
  View more details for Excavations at Land West of Tangmere: Romano-British remains from ongoing investigations
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  Chichester Roman Week

• Decorate a Mini Terracotta Pot

  30/05/2025 to 30/05/2025

  Location: The Novium Museum

  Sessions at 10:00am & 11:15am | £7 or £6 if booked before 1 May

  Get creative with this hands-on craft session inspired by Roman pottery! Children aged 4-11 can decorate their own mini terracotta pot, taking inspiration from ancient Roman designs. A fun and engaging activity that brings history to life.

  
  View more details for Decorate a Mini Terracotta Pot
  Book Now
  

  

  Chichester Roman Week

• Interactive Roman Storytelling Workshop

  31/05/2025 to 31/05/2025

  Location: The Novium Museum

  Calling all young adventurers! Join us for an action-packed storytelling session where history comes to life. Travel back in time to explore what life was really like for Romans and Celts - how the Romans prepared for invasion, how the Celts defended their villages, and what happened when their worlds collided!
  
  With drama, fabrics, musical instruments, real artefacts from The Novium Museum, and plenty of imagination, this hands-on workshop will have children fully immersed in the sights and sounds of the past. It's history like you've never experienced before - interactive, exciting, and packed with fun!
  
  Recommended for ages 5-10
  Tickets: £8.00 (£7.00 early bird), includes an accompanying adult
  
  Led by Chris North and Freedom Through Fun, this workshop is designed to spark curiosity and creativity, using a fantastic mix of props and activities tailored to the group.
  View more details for Interactive Roman Storytelling Workshop
  Book Now
  

  

  Chichester Roman Week

• The Guildhall - Open Morning

  05/06/2025 to 05/06/2025

  Location: The Guildhall, Priory Park

  Come along and see inside this beautiful building! Open 10:00am - 11:30am
  
  Situated in Priory Park, The Guildhall is a Grade 1 listed building with a rich history. The Guildhall was built in the 1270s by the Franciscans and was dissolved In October 1538 by King Henry VIII. The building witnessed many dramatic events in its history including the trial of members of the Hawkhurst Gang and the trial of the poet and artist William Blake. It later served as the town hall and museum but is now mainly used for weddings and events and is rarely open to the public.
  
  Free, drop in event.
  

  

  Special Events

• Quiet Session - I Grew Up 80s

  07/06/2025 to 07/06/2025

  Location: The Novium Museum

  Our quiet sessions are aimed at anyone who feels that they would benefit from a more relaxed experience when visiting I Grew Up In The 80's including, but not limited to, adults and children with autism and other sensory or mental health needs and adults living with dementia. All background noise will be turned off during these sessions and gallery capacity limited. At 10.30am sounds will be turned back on, but you are welcome to remain in the exhibition gallery and museum for as long as you like. 
  
  View more details for Quiet Sessions
  Book Quiet Session
  

  

  Exhibitions

• The Guildhall - Open Morning

  03/07/2025 to 03/07/2025

  Location: The Guildhall, Priory Park

  Come along and see inside this beautiful building! Open 10:00am - 11:30am
  
  Situated in Priory Park, The Guildhall is a Grade 1 listed building with a rich history. The Guildhall was built in the 1270s by the Franciscans and was dissolved In October 1538 by King Henry VIII. The building witnessed many dramatic events in its history including the trial of members of the Hawkhurst Gang and the trial of the poet and artist William Blake. It later served as the town hall and museum but is now mainly used for weddings and events and is rarely open to the public.
  
  Free, drop in event.
  

  

  Special Events

• Mystery Warrior: The North Bersted Man

  'In more than thirty years of archaeology this is the most spectacular discovery that I have witnessed' - James Kenny, District Archaeologist.

  The 'Mystery Warrior' was discovered in 2008 by Thames Valley Archaeological Services Ltd. This was found during archaeological investigations, prior to the construction of Berkley Homes' Bersted Park.
  

  Arguably the most elaborately equipped warrior grave ever found in England, archaeologists believe he was a refugee French Gallic fighter who fled Julius Caesar's Roman Army as they swept across continental Europe around 50BC.
  

  
  View more details for Mystery Warrior - The North Bersted Man
  

  

  Exhibitions

• King Charles I Bust

  This important historical sculpture depicts King Charles I wearing a gold crown and chain of office.
  

  The unique bust, which was created by Hubert Le Sueur — an appointed sculptor to King Louis XIII of France who spent most of his career at the English court of King Charles I — was presented to the City of Chichester, West Sussex, where it was displayed in the niche of Chichester's Market Cross from the 1660s.
  

  
  View more details for King Charles I Bust
  

  

  Exhibitions

• The Racton Man

  'Racton Burial', a permanent exhibition located in the first floor gallery, delves into the history of a fascinating burial discovered in 1989, but only recently thoroughly investigated by a team of specialists. Find out about this individual's captivating story of life and death.
  View more details for The Racton Man
  

  

  Exhibitions