North Pallant,Chichester,PO19 1TJ

2–3 North Pallant is a Grade II listed townhouse of considerable character, occupying a particularly good position within the historic centre of Chichester. Dating from the 15th century, the house retains an unusually rich collection of original features, including exposed timbers, panelling, old floorboards and substantial inglenook fireplaces. More recently, it has undergone a comprehensive restoration and extension, introducing a very different contemporary layer to the building through Corten steel, glass and carefully detailed modern interiors. It is the relationship between these two periods that makes the house particularly interesting. The original building has not been made to feel new, nor has the later work attempted to imitate it. Instead, the historic fabric remains clearly legible alongside the contemporary additions. The restoration was recognised with a Sussex Heritage Trust Award in 2026, while an EPC rating of C is noteworthy for a listed house of this age. The House The ground floor retains much of the character of the original building. At the front is a handsome panelled drawing room with an inglenook fireplace, while a further bedroom and bathroom provide useful flexibility as guest accommodation or an additional reception room. The dining room has painted floorboards and a fireplace, with wide glazed doors opening directly onto the courtyard. From here, a glazed link runs alongside the original external brickwork of the house before reaching the contemporary extension. This transition from the old house into the new part is particularly successful and allows the different periods of the building to remain distinct. Kitchen & Living Space The kitchen and family room occupy the principal contemporary addition. Designed and made by local cabinetmakers Village Green, the kitchen combines bespoke painted cabinetry with leathered Cosmic Gold granite worktops and an informal dining area. A large rooflight and floor-to-ceiling glazing bring considerably more light into this part of the house, with sliding doors opening directly onto the courtyard. The extension itself is clad in Corten steel, providing a deliberately modern counterpoint to the historic building behind it. Covered access from the kitchen leads to the large double garage, an unusually useful feature for a house in such a central position. Bedrooms The principal bedroom occupies much of the first floor and retains exposed floorboards and a substantial inglenook fireplace. A cleverly designed central partition provides both a headboard and concealed storage, with a separate dressing area and generous en-suite bathroom. There are two further double bedrooms and a family bathroom on this floor. Two additional bedrooms occupy the upper floor, from where there are views towards the spire of Chichester Cathedral, together with a further shower room. In total, the house provides six bedrooms and four bathrooms, with the ground-floor bedroom offering particularly useful flexibility for guests or multigenerational living. Lower Ground Floor The lower ground floor provides a further adaptable room, currently used as a gym but equally suited to use as a cinema room, games room, studio or home office. There is also useful additional storage. Courtyard & Roof Garden The walled courtyard sits immediately outside the kitchen and dining spaces and forms a sheltered garden within the centre of the city. Planting includes a specimen olive tree, with space for both outdoor dining and seating. Above is a private roof garden, reached by an external staircase and arranged with further seating and Corten steel planters that reference the architecture of the extension below. The combination of courtyard and roof garden gives the house two distinct outside spaces, something relatively unusual in such a central city setting. Restoration The house has undergone a substantial programme of work, including new plumbing and electrics, together with underfloor heating to the kitchen and bathrooms. The contemporary intervention was undertaken without losing sight of the age and character of the original building, and the completed project received a Sussex Heritage Trust Award in 2026. The EPC rating is C. Setting North Pallant is a quiet no-through road within Chichester’s historic city walls and one of the city’s established residential addresses. The house is within walking distance of the centre, with its independent shops, cafés and restaurants, as well as Pallant House Gallery and Chichester Festival Theatre. Chichester railway station is also within walking distance and provides direct services to London Victoria. Beyond the city, the South Downs National Park and Chichester Harbour provide access to some of the best countryside and coastline in West Sussex. The sailing centres of Itchenor and Dell Quay are nearby, while the Goodwood Estate is well known for its motor racing, horse racing and other events. This combination of a historic city centre position, private outside space and garaging, with the South Downs and coast close by, is a particularly unusual one.