Chichester Festival Theatre

The theatre sits just outside Chichester itself, a proper cultural anchor for the whole region. It's not one of those glass-and-steel modern builds either - there's real gravitas to the place, the kind of venue where you feel like you're attending something that actually matters.

You get a mix of classic theatre here: new productions alongside revivals of plays that deserve a second life, plus the occasional musical if they're confident enough to pull it off. The season runs year-round, so there's always something on the schedule. Ticket prices vary wildly depending on what you're seeing and where you sit, but checking their website will give you the full picture - it's straightforward enough to book online.

This is squarely aimed at theatre-goers rather than families with restless kids, though they do put on matinees and family-friendly shows during school holidays. You'll want to allow a good three hours all in - time for a drink before, the performance itself, maybe a chat after. The town of Chichester itself is walkable and pleasant if you arrive early.

If you're staying at one of the local holiday parks - Chichester Lakeside is barely a mile and a half away, or there's Haven Church Farm a touch further out - adding an evening at the theatre makes for a proper grown-up night out. It breaks up a park holiday nicely. Book ahead, especially for anything popular. Worth the effort.