Running parallel to the city’s West Street, on the southern side of the Cathedral, Canon Lane connects Chichester’s South Street to the Bishop’s Palace and Gardens. 

This historic lane has evocative medieval arches at either end, and contains many of the Cathedral’s listed buildings. The Cathedral’s governing body are the custodians of a number of properties that make up this 'historic Cathedral quarter' of the city.  

Excavations suggest that underneath the centre and eastern end of the Cathedral once stood a large Roman house. Parts of this structure’s mosaic tiled flooring can be viewed under a glass walkway, in the South Aisle.

This part of the Cathedral is the heart of its sung services. The three-tiered wooden stalls are beautifully carved and date from the 1330s; they retain much of their original fabric, with some  nineteenth century restoration. The Quire is in current everyday use by the clergy and the Cathedral Choir and is the setting for the daily Evensong service. Find out more about the Quire here.

Discovered in 1829 behind the woodwork of the choir stalls, these two carved stones have been dated to the second quarter of the 12th century, making them one of the earliest pieces of art in the Cathedral. They depict two scenes, Christ arriving in Bethany and the Raising of Lazarus, and are currently on display in the South Nave Aisle. Find out more here.