The Chichester Festival Theatre

Only a 5-minute walk from the Chichester Cathedral and the old Market Cross, the 1,400-seat theater, with its apron stage, stands on the edge of Oaklands Park. It opened in 1962, and its first director was none other than Lord Laurence Olivier. Its reputation has grown steadily, pumping new vigor and life into the former walled city, although originally many irate locals felt the city money could have been better spent on a swimming pool instead of a theater.

Chichester Festival Theatre, built in the 1960s, offers plays and musicals during the summer (Apr-Sept), and in the winter and spring months, orchestras, jazz, opera, theater, ballet, and a Christmas show for the entire family.

The Minerva, built in the late 1980s, is a multifunctional cultural center that includes a theater plus dining and drinking facilities. The Minerva Studio Theatre and the Chichester Festival Theatre are managed by the same board of governors but show different programs and different plays.

Theater reservations made over the telephone will be held for a maximum of 4 days (tel. 01243/781312; www.cft.org.uk). Festival ticket prices range from £10 to £55.

A Racetrack

One of the most famous sports-car-racing courses in the world, Goodwood Motor Circuit (tel. 01243/755000; www.goodwood.co.uk), reopened in 1998, near Chichester, and was restored to its look of 50 years ago. The course became dangerous for faster cars and was retired as an active track in the 1960s, as the 4km (2 1/2-mile) circuit was never modernized. Now, that is part of its charm, offering a chance to relive the days when courageous drivers raced Jaguars or Ferraris on tracks enveloped by cornfields and hay bales. The course is now used for special exhibition races featuring historic sports cars from the '50s and '60s. The track can be reached by taking the A3 to Milford, the A283 to Petwork, and then the A285 to Halnaker, following the signposts from there. Call to see if any exhibitions are being staged during your visit to the area.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.