The Insider’s Guide to Chichester with Annoushka Ducas
The jewellery designer on Chichester's antique shops, picnic spots and art galleries
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From ancient forests to sunset boat trips, the jeweller Annoushka Ducas shares some of her sources of design inspiration
Annoushka Ducas’ Guide to Chichester
Quick bite?
The café at Pallant House Gallery, Chichester.
Languorous lunch?
I like Southsea Beach Café for a very relaxed and low-key lunch.
Favourite walk?
I adore a walk on West Wittering beach at low tide, walking all the way around to East Head with the dogs. It’s just gorgeous.
The Best Beaches to Visit in the UK
Decent pint?
My husband’s pub The Horse and Groom in East Ashling, although I am more likely to order a G&T! You can also stay the night in one of the ten bedrooms and have a delicious meal in the newly opened restaurant – both of which I had the pleasure of doing the interior design for.
Spot of romance?
An early evening boat trip around Chichester Harbour.
History hit?
Visit Bosham Church – as featured in the Bayeux tapestry.
Culture vulture?
Pallant House Gallery in Chichester has the best in 20th-century British art.
From the madding crowd?
You just have to visit Dave’s Ice Cream Van in Bosham for the most delicious Italian vanilla ice cream, but don’t leave your car on the quay as they have been known to be washed away by the tide…
Local gossip?
Christine Keeler retreated to the secluded cottage next to The Horse and Groom pub in East Ashling to hide away during the height of the Profumo scandal.
You absolutely must…
Watch a film at the drive-in cinema on the Goodwood racetrack, which usually opens in July. Take some drinks and nibbles and cosy up on a balmy summer’s evening.
The locals wouldn’t like it if you…
You certainly won’t make any friends if you speed into the harbour.
Take away?
Molecomb Blue cheese from Goodwood’s fabulous farm shop.
Shop till you drop?
I have a fascination with miniatures, which I have collected throughout my life and have had a definite impact on the detail and articulation in my jewellery designs. Spencer Swaffer in Arundel is somewhere I love to hunt for treasures like this – it’s the best for antiques and eclectic finds. Little London in Chichester is my go-to for original clothes from lesser-known design names.
Favourite garden?
West Dean, especially the walled garden. Nature is a constant inspiration for my designs, so I will inevitably come home after visiting and have to make notes and scribbles before I forget what I’ve seen.
Back to nature?
Walking through Kingley Vale, an ancient yew forest looking back over Chichester Harbour. It reminds me of childhoods spent roaming the forest in Russia.
Family fun?
We have four kids who are all grown up now, so we’re at that point where we can really enjoy great food and drink together. A picnic on the Trundle looking over Goodwood racecourse is a definite favourite when they’re home for the weekend.
Annoushka Ducas is marking 10 years of her eponymous jewellery brand with a talk at this year’s London Design Festival. ‘Unearth The History & Allure Of Charms With Annoushka Ducas MBE’ will be screened on 17th September, 6–7pm. Free tickets to the talk are available here.
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