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A Walker’s Guide - Chichester Harbour

DirectionsAll the walks were tested in 2007. However, please note that some footpaths may be diverted andbuildings such as pubs may have changed their name since the walks were written. If you have anycomments please send them to the Harbour Office to be considered for the next edition.

Distances and TimingsAll distances and timings are approximate.

MapsThe maps provided are a guide and are not to scale. Please use OS Explorer Map 120 (Chichester).

Map ReferencesThe reference given is for the start point of the walk.

Public TransportBuses: Stagecoach run most of the local buses. Timetable details are atwww.stagecoachbus.com/south or telephone 0871 200 22 33 (10p per minute).For the Selsey – Itchenor service see www.compass-travel.co.ukTrains: Timetable information is at www.nationalrail.co.uk or telephone 08457 48 49 50.

Stiles and GatesPlease note stiles are gradually being replaced with gates where appropriate. This may affect someof the walk directions and photos.

TidesPlease note some paths are flooded at high tide. If you have misjudged the times, you usually onlyhave to wait a short while before the path is clear enough to use. Tide times can be found atwww.conservancy.co.uk or from the Harbour Office, please note these are only a prediction andfactors such as low pressure can make the tide higher than expected.

Tourist InformationChichester: www.visitchichester.org or telephone 01243 775888.Hayling Island: www.visithavant.co.uk or telephone 023 9246 7111.

WeatherPlease check the weather before starting your walk and take the appropriate clothing.Weather forecasts can be found at www.conservancy.co.uk or from the local tourist offices.

AcknowledgementsAll walks were written and photographed by Ali Beckett for Chichester Harbour Conservancy.Design work on the book was undertaken by Dan Vear and Graham Martin at Designline.The walks were tested by willing volunteers: Roger & Sheila Bleasby, Stella Briggs, Peter Cameron,Jan Colgate, Rodney & Jackie Dugga, Adrian & Josette Fox, Ken & Margaret Harry, Eric & ChristineHinkley, Ted & Ros Honeyman, Kerry Jackson, Jazmin Kelly, John Kendall, Joan Langhorne, LesleyMann, Coralie Murphy, Roger Palmer, Patrick Pead, Tony Probert, Jill & Tony Radnor, Sally Rumfitt,Peter & Judy Stern, Peter Taylor, Jim & Ann Tice, Richard Tully, Bill Walker, Colin Webb, Bill Witts.Funding was generously provided by the Friends of Chichester Harbour, Chichester Harbour Trustand Chichester Harbour Sustainable Development Fund.

Useful Information

A Walker’s Guide - Chichester Harbour

Images

©Aardman

Animations

Ltd2004

• Be safe - plan ahead and follow any signs

Even when going out locally, it’s best to get the latest information about where and whenyou go; for example, your rights to go onto some areas of open land may be restrictedwhile work is carried out, for safety reasons or during breeding seasons. Follow advice andlocal signs, and be prepared for the unexpected.

• Leave gates and property as you find them

Please respect the working life of the countryside, as our actions can affect people’slivelihoods, our heritage, and the safety and welfare of animals and ourselves.

• Protect plants and animals and take your litter home

We have a responsibility to protect our countryside, so make sure you don’t harm animals,birds, plants or trees.

• Keep dogs under control

The countryside is a great place to exercise dogs, but it’s every owner’s duty to makesure their dog is not a danger or nuisance to farm animals, wildlife or other people.

• Consider other people

Showing consideration and respect for other people makes the countryside a pleasantenvironment for everyone – at home, at work and at leisure.

www.conservancy.co.uk March 2008

Walk 10 - Chidham CircularWalk 10 - Chidham Circular

An 8km circular walk with some of the best

panoramic views of the harbour. There is always

something to watch on the water, whether it is groups

of young people learning to sail or kayak, or birds

diving for fish.

Walk 10

Chidham Circular

Start PointCobnor Farm Amenity car park.

By RoadFrom the A259 turn south onto Chidham Lane. Keep onthis road signposted towards Chidham East. After a mileturn left into the Amenity car park. If you reach the signfor Cobnor House you have gone too far.

RefreshmentsThe Old House at Home

TidesThe shoreline section to the southwest floods when thetide is 4.5m or higher. Aim to reach it two hours before orafter high tide.

Footpath

Walk Route

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Walk DirectionsTake the first path on the left out of the car park. Going up a few stepsyou can see Bosham Church in the distance 1 . Turn to the right andthen left along the field edge, heading towards the shoreline.

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8km/5 miles 2.5 hours Map Ref. SU 794 035 - Ordnance Survey Explorer 120

www.conservancy.co.uk March 2008

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At the shoreline path, turn right and keep going. Just before you reachthe big accommodation boat for Christian Youth Enterprises 2 , the pathturns inland.

Carefully follow the footpath signs around the buildings and activity fieldsof the two sailing centres. You will shortly come onto a hard surfaced paththrough a dinghy park.

The path then turns left towards the shoreline.This section is suitable for wheelchairs. It wasopened in 1988 on land kindly donated byMartin Beale, whose family still live atCobnor House.

Keep on the path, there are a number ofbenches along this route for a break and toenjoy the view. The path eventually leads downa few steps to the shoreline. Turn right alongthe shore.

As you round the corner, look for the steps on the right taking you back upto the path on the seawall.

Note: this section of shoreline is being realigned. A new path will beopened in 2008, until then use the old path which is rough in places.

Whichever path you usethey will both arrive atthe same point. Afterthe paths converge, lookout for the footpath signto the right 3 . Thepath goes down a fewsteps and turns back onitself. Turn left at thefield edge to walk inlandacross fields.

Walk 10 - Chidham CircularWalk 10 - Chidham Circular

Extra Items of Interest

Cobnor Activities Centre and Christian Youth Enterprises (CYE)These are the two sailing centres you pass near the start of the walk. Cobnor Activities Centre is anindependent Charitable Trust supported by The Friends Of Cobnor and West Sussex County Council. Theyaim to help educate young people in West Sussex, to develop their physical, mental and spiritual capacities.To that end the Centre provides facilities for education in environmental studies and training on land andwater. Look out for their sailing dinghies which have bright yellow sails.Visitors to CYE stay aboard the old naval minesweeper ‘Gerald Daniel’. This large grey boat is a landmark inthe harbour. The Centre provides activities both on the water and the land for young people and theirfamilies. Most of their sailing dinghies have dark brown sails.

Coastal RealignmentFor many years the eastern shoreline of Chidham has suffered from erosion. This made the footpathdifficult to maintain and threatened the fertile farmland.

An ambitious project was undertaken in 2006 to create a new inter-tidal habitat. A secondary sea wall wasbuilt slightly inland. Channels have been cut in the old sea wall so that the land behind it can flood at hightide. This will have the effect over the next few years of creating new saltmarsh, which is essential for thewildlife. An added benefit of the scheme is that the new sea wall will both defend the farmland and providea stable surface for the rerouted footpath.

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At the road, turn right. You will shortly come to somehouses and then the Old House at Home pub 4 .Past the pub the road bears to the left. Just beforethe church there is a footpath on the right 5 .

Keep on this wide grassy path as it wiggles aroundfields. On the straight section with electricity poleslook out for the small unsigned path on the left 6leading back to the road.

Turn right to return to the car park.

www.conservancy.co.uk March 2008