The Novium Museum
The Novium Museum
4
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Opened in 2012, The Novium Museum is Chichester District's award-winning museum. Built over the remains of a Roman bathhouse and with three floors of fantastic exhibitions, The Novium Museum tells the fascinating story of Chichester District and its rich heritage. It looks after 500,000 artefacts, both on display and in its store. The museum is free for people to visit, and is located in Tower Street, close to the cathedral and just opposite Chichester Library. The remains of the Roman baths fill much of the ground floor gallery, with an audio visual film showing you how they were built and used in Roman times. Throughout the year, residents and visitors can enjoy a wide variety of permanent, temporary and travelling exhibitions. The museum also hosts a rich programme of events, including the award winning annual Chichester Roman Week every May half term. For current exhibitions on show and a full events programme please see the museum's website.
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4.0
518 reviews
Excellent
246
Very good
155
Average
56
Poor
37
Terrible
24
Edward the dog
Chichester, UK363 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
An interesting museum with lots of stuff connected to Chichester in it. However, we came for the Star Wars exhibition which was a good fun hour spent. Its cheap to get into the exhibition and the staff in the foyer are friendly.
Written 11 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Welshwasp
South Wales, UK534 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
An interesting museum but could have been slightly better signposted. It was a little bit disappointing in as much as the ground floor in particular did not seem to utilise the area and height to its potential, a lot of wasted space around the Roman Bath House. However, It was a good mixture of old and modern displays. I wandered into a Tolkien display which I am not sure if it had to be paid for but it meant nothing at all to me as I was really trying to get to the specified view point the other side.
Written 4 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frederic F
1 contribution
Sep 2023 • Solo
Last week , I went on my own to see the Gaul warrior. The reception was very friendly and helpful. The artifacts were very exciting.
Written 19 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorna H
Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom55 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
A lovely museum. Fullness interesting displays carefully laid out and with good information. Friendly staff. Recommended.
Written 10 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sunflower189
West Sussex, UK220 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
The museum is free to enter and contains a great deal of information about the history of Chichester along with displays over several areas. on one of the upper floors there is a very good view of the city. In addition to its usual displays there is currently an exhibition called The Magic of Middle Earth which looks at the novels by J R R Tolkien. There are references to films with posters and models as well as a life size 'fire throwing' character. It is well worth the small fee paid to see it. The museum has lots of interactive activities both in this exhibition and the others.
Written 17 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sally Ann
Chichester, UK114 contributions
May 2023
Wonderful museum - well laid out exhibits and lots of knowledgeable staff. It's free but please give a donation as it would be so sad if this closed due to lack of funds. The exhibitions change regularly so there is always something new to see.
Written 31 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheRegni
Chichester, UK40 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
The Magic of Middle Earth has indeed been sprinkled over the top floor exhibition space (there is a lift, with a space age surprise!). Wide range of Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit related material - I'd never realised that the books had inspired so much art, film and music. Many of the items on display are rare and fascinating. Pull out drawers with activities for children and adults - plus the chance to dress up (my husband didn't need encouraging to be Gandalf, if briefly). Modest entrance fee to exhibition was well worth it.
Written 27 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David E
1 contribution
Mar 2023
Very much enjoyed The Magic of Middle-earth exhibition. Lots of cool objects, first editions, models, maps etc. Having read the books and seen the films, there was still plenty I didn't know. Transformed the gallery into a corner of the Shire. Or Mordor. Or Lorien. Five stars.
Written 23 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ShaunH290
London, UK2,295 contributions
Aug 2022
This relatively new (opened 2012) local museum apparently has over half a million artefacts. It is built over the remains of a Roman bathhouse, which is displayed on the ground floor. It has accumulated lots of historical treasures, like the Charles I bust from the Market Cross (the one on the cross is a replica!), and the Market Bell. There is much to interest anyone looking for local history and it is well presented.
Certainly worth a quick look around, if nothing else. Also, there is a good view of the Cathedral from the top floor.
Certainly worth a quick look around, if nothing else. Also, there is a good view of the Cathedral from the top floor.
Written 20 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jennyg332003
1 contribution
Apr 2023
Nice little musuem, built over Roman baths. History over different periods. There was an Easter trail for our daughter. We visited mainly to see the Lord of the Rings Exibition which we really enjoyed, worth paying for as lots to see, great pull out drawers with activities for children (& adults!) too. A great collection of different items to see and read about. Very impressed & interesting & I'm not a LoTR enthusiast!
Written 9 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sarah19512017
Bromley, UK
Are there any artifacts/exhibits from the Chilgrove1 and 2 villas?
Wendy S
Basingstoke, UK252 contributions
If I remember rightly the was a mosaic from Chilgrove but maybe call them for a definitive answer, sorry to be vague!
Anneisgood
Guildford, UK61 contributions
Am I right in thinking you are still finding archaeology things and have still other things to do for the museum?
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Claim your listingTHE NOVIUM MUSEUM: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about The Novium Museum
- The Novium Museum is open:
- Tue - Fri 10:00 - 16:30
- Sat - Sat 10:00 - 17:00
- Hotels near The Novium Museum:
- (0.03 mi) Chichester Retreat
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- Restaurants near The Novium Museum:
- (0.03 mi) Duke & Rye
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- (0.13 mi) Purchases Bar, Restaurant & Accommodation
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