The Minerva Theatre

The Minerva Theatre sits right in the heart of Chichester, a proper working playhouse that's been putting on shows since 1962. You'll find it on North Street - easy to spot, easy to access if you're staying at any of the nearby parks like Chichester Lakeside just down the road. It's a regional theatre, the kind that does rep work: contemporary plays, classic revivals, pantomimes when the season turns, occasional musicals. The auditorium holds around 530 people, so it's intimate enough that you're never far from the action. The building itself has been renovated over the years but keeps that theatre-going feel - proper velvet seats, decent sightlines, no faffing about.

Who gets the most from it? Anyone who actually enjoys theatre, frankly. If you're the type who'd rather sit through a decent production than another theme park, this beats sitting in a holiday park bar watching the same tired cabaret. Families with teenagers who read Shakespeare at school tend to appreciate it. The pantomime season (usually December) does well with younger kids too, though you'd want to check what's on before you book your accommodation.

It's not free - expect to pay proper ticket prices, though matinee performances are sometimes cheaper. Allow a couple of hours including interval. The real advantage for park-based visitors is that Chichester itself is walkable and has restaurants, so you can make an evening of it rather than rushing back. Check their website before arriving to see what's playing - you might plan your whole trip around catching something worthwhile.