chichester yacht basin

Practical Boat Owner

• Digital edition

Chichester Marina and Harbour: a guide

• Alison Wood
• March 10, 2023

Tranquil Chichester Marina and the surrounding harbour is the perfect destination for sailors with time to explore this area of natural beauty, as Alison Wood reports

Chichester Marina is situated adjacent to the rolling West Sussex countryside. Credit: Premier Credit: Premier Marinas

Surrounded by countryside, Chichester Harbour in Sussex is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), covering almost 7,400 hectares.

Distinctive tidal channels lead to a maze of inlets that criss-cross expanses of saltmarsh and mudflats.

Aerial view out to seaward taken from Bosham. Credit: David A Easterly/Alamy

The shoreline is fringed by oak trees and vegetation, and there are centuries-old villages to explore, with mills, fishermens’ cottages and maritime traditions.

With 56 miles of shoreline walks, you can discover Chichester Harbour by foot as well as by boat, especially at low tide when much of the harbour is drying.

Chichester Marina

Chichester Marina was one of the first marinas to be built in the UK, opening in the mid-1960s, with a state-of-the-art boatyard being rebuilt in 2014.

Despite being the UK’s second largest marina its rural setting and low-key architecture add to the tranquil vibe, with nature walks right on the doorstep.

Holder of a Five Gold Anchors award, Premier Chichester marina is home to 1,100 berths, a boatyard with two boat hoists, slipway and boatshed.

Chichester Marina sits comfortably in its natural surroundings. Credit: Charlie Ross

On-site services include a chandlery, brokerage, rigging , cosmetic work, valeting and engineering.

The Boat House offers indoor and outdoor eating with harbour views and has a pizza oven which sells out on summer days.

Nearby Chichester Yacht Club is open day and night for food and coffee, and marina berth-holders and visitors have guest access.

A nice walk from the marina along the wooded, harbourside path takes you to Dell Quay, where you’ll find the traditional Crown & Anchor pub.

Facilities at Chichester Marina

Boats can be accommodated up to 22m length, 7m beam and 2.3m draught. Versadock (drive-on floating dock) is available as well as trailer sailer options for smaller craft.

Credit: Maggie Nelson

The marina offers secure berth holder parking, luxury toilets and showers and free wifi. For family and friends, or owners not wanting to stay overnight aboard, Premier has nine New England-style apartments ‘The Salterns’ situated within the marina.

Approach to Chichester Marina

Approach by sea is via the west pole beacon – cross Chichester Bar located at the entrance to the harbour. Once inside the harbour, head north-east past East Head and towards Itchenor.

The marina approach channel is dredged to approx. 0.5m below CD – vessels entering the marina should keep to the starboard side of the channel.

Chichester Bar is located at the entrance to the harbour and is dredged to approximately 1.5m below chart datum giving a depth of 2m at mean low water Springs; however, the bottom can vary up to 0.75m.

One to keep an eye on – tidal gauge indicates sill depth at the entrance to Emsworth harbour. Credit: Tony Cortazzi/Alamy

With an ebb tide and strong southerly winds, exercise caution and cross the Bar between three hours before and one hour after high water Springs.

As you approach Longmore Point ensure your VHF is on Ch80; on passing Birdham Spit pile call the marina using your boat’s call sign, advise your position and request lock entry.

View of Bosham from across the creek which mostly dries. Credit: Paul Weston/Alamy

The lock keeper will acknowledge your call and either instruct you to proceed to the lock on a green light or, in busy times, join the back of the queue for the lock and enter in turn upon a green signal light.

Day cruises

The Solent is just on your doorstep offering easy access east or west to some of the UK’s most popular cruising grounds.

Within a day’s sail of Chichester Marina you can visit the Isle of Wight or take a long leisurely cruise to picturesque Beaulieu River (with Buckler’s Hard and Beaulieu Motor Museum) and Lymington Harbour.

Weekend cruises

Chichester is an excellent start point for cross-Channel cruises and trips to Premier’s Gosport, Port Solent, Swanwick, Brighton and Eastbourne marinas – where berth holders can use their 42 free visitor night credits.

Longer distance

A little further afield you’ve got the West Country, Channel Islands, Cherbourg and the Brittany coastline.

Local attractions

Nestled at the foot of the South Downs, Chichester has many sandy beaches, fishing villages and family attractions including Goodwood House and Racecourse.

Chichester Marina is just four miles from the historic city of Chichester, with its theatres, galleries, 900-year-old cathedral, and the Novium Museum, charting 500,000 years of life in the city.

A Southerly 49 takes the ground on the beach at East Head. Credit: Michael Austen/Alamy

A short drive away is the village of Fishbourne, with the remains of a Roman Palace and gardens.

Further around the harbour takes you to the quaint village of Bosham with its village green and arts and crafts centre.

In addition to the small beach by the marina – where you can swim at high tide – there are the sandy beaches of East Head and The Witterings, with long unspoilt coastline stretching from West Wittering Beach to Bracklesham Bay.

• Chichester Marina, Birdham, Chichester, West Sussex PO20 7EJ. VHF Ch80. Tel: 01243 512731, premiermarinas.com
• Chichester Harbour Conservancy, conservancy.co.uk

Article continues below…

Maximus sets sail – Chichester to Poole shakedown

The day was finally here; time to take Maximus, our Maxi 84, from Chichester Marina to her new home in…

Jimmy Cornell boat survey reveals how much sailing has changed in 40 years

‘During the past four years I have sailed through some of the major crossroads of the cruising world: Rhodes, Gibraltar,…

Boating with children: Bringing up very small kids on very small boats

Mahogany Bob, our 55-year-old LH Walker mahogany on oak clinker dinghy looks lovely and attracts admiring comments everywhere we go,…

UK seabirds: How to identify some of the most common breeds

Sailors have been watching seabirds for thousands of years. Early navigators in the Pacific used their knowledge of how far…

Local Knowledge about Chichester Marina and harbour

Peter Draper has a Dunkirk Little Ship

If you’ve a high-speed powerboat, Chichester Harbour isn’t for you. If you have a yacht or like to potter it’s ideal.

It’s a beautiful place: safe, secure inland cruising with many little creeks, and places to visit such as Emsworth and Bosham.

There’s a plethora of wildlife, and it’s also great for dinghy sailors.

I own a 1927 pilchard fishing boat, Caronia – which helped in the World War II evacuation of Dunkirk.

I’ve spent over a decade restoring her with my son and love to sail out of Chichester.

The harbour is a wonderful place to be. It’s what I consider the garden gate to the West Country.

Once through the gate you’ve got the safety and security of the Solent.

There’s Cowes, Bembridge on the Isle of Wight, and Lymington on the other side. Gosport is good for a night out, and then if you want to go further, have a stopover over in Yarmouth and you can do Poole or even Weymouth in a day’s sail (say 6 or 7 knots).

From there, you’re a day away from Dartmouth. Of course in a motorboat you’re in the West Country in a day.

• Peter runs Navigator’s Marine, based in Chichester Marina, navigatorsmarine.co.uk . His book Restoring a Dunkirk Little Ship: Caronia SS70 is available on Amazon

Gilbert Park has a Trusty T23 motorboat

If you can get to Emsworth Town Quay and be prepared to leave on the tide, it’s a marvellous place to visit.

There are lots of shops and lovely pubs and eateries, including a Michelin restaurant.

There’s a visitor mooring 1km away at all states of the tide, where you can dinghy in. West Head is extremely popular because of the sandy beach.

If I want to take my grandchildren there I’ll go in a boat that dries out in the morning and leave in the afternoon. It’s wonderful.

You’ve got all the facilities on the beach, and there’s an anchorage too.

For peace and quiet and a wonderful sunset, I go to Itchenor – there’s a lovely anchorage there.

If you prefer marinas, then Chichester Marina has all the facilities you need.

Traditional boats like to go to Birdham, and my grandchildren particularly like Northney Marina because it has a play area and barbecue spot.

Bosham is very pretty and dates back to the time of the Bayeux tapestry. Chichester is also a great place for birdwatchers.

We get all sorts of migratory birds stopping here, as well as lots of seals.

Adam McMenemy sails a Sabre 27

I have a fin keel boat so I have to be a bit careful about where I go. I like to explore the stretch of water from Chichester marina to Itchenor.

Bosham creek is beautiful too. There are visitor moorings there and you can stay overnight.

My favourite spot is Hayling Island Sailing Club. It’s a beautiful little club, and has sandy beaches, fantastic views, good food and the bar’s always open.

Visiting yachtsmen are welcome at the club.

From Hayling Island it’s not too far to Birdham Pool, which is a great place to have lunch. I work as a marine electrician out of Emsworth Yacht Harbour in Emsworth Marina.

It’s a really nice village.

The marina is tidal, but it has a sill, so once you’re in you’ve got water.

East Head beach is half an hour’s walk from West Wittering so it’s mostly only sailors who go there.

There’s a sandy beach with dunes around it, and you can anchor overnight.

• Adam runs ACM Marine, facebook.com/AcmMarine

Enjoyed reading Chichester Marina and Harbour: a guide?

A subscription to Practical Boat Owner magazine costs around 40% less than the cover price .

Print and digital editions are available through Magazines Direct – where you can also find the latest deals .

PBO is packed with information to help you get the most from boat ownership – whether sail or power.

• Take your DIY skills to the next level with trusted advice on boat maintenance and repairs
• Impartial in-depth gear reviews
• Practical cruising tips for making the most of your time afloat

Follow us on Facebook , Instagram and Twitter

Your browser is not supported for this experience. We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari.

Harbour Villages, Chichester Harbour

Visit Chichester Harbour Villages

Chichester Harbour is a large natural harbour and an AONB. It remains for the most part undeveloped and is a draw for both wildlife and boating enthusiasts alike.

There are several attractive harbourside villages set around the harbour which are steeped in history and each worth a visit. Nearby country capital,  Chichester , shouldn't be missed either.

Birdwatching , sailing , fishing, boat trips , watersports , walking , cycling and the golden sands of West Wittering and East Head  mean that there is plenty to do in the area and the pubs , cafés and restaurants provide welcome pitstops after all that outdoor action. There is also plenty of accommodation options to choose from as well so why not book a holiday in sunny West Sussex? We'd love to see you!

Explore Chichester Harbour

The witterings.

On the manhood peninsula, near the mouth of Chichester Harbour, the twin villages of East and West Wittering are home to stretches of unspoilt coastline. The golden sandy beach of  West Wittering  is a summertime hot spot, hugely popular with day trippers and holiday makers keen to enjoy the wide sands and shallow waters (pre-booking  car parking here  is encouraged).

East Wittering, with its thriving community and vibrant selection of independent shops and cafes, boasts  a sand and shingle beach  which neighbours Bracklesham Bay on its eastern edge.

Both beaches are a year-round mecca for thrill seekers, with a host of  watersports  experiences on offer, as well as tuition and equipment hire. During cooler months, when dogs are welcome in all areas, the quieter beaches are the perfect location for wintry walks, with plenty of places to warm up afterwards.

Don’t miss: Goat Coffee Co , Billy’s on the Beach , The Lamb

West Wittering

East wittering & bracklesham bay.

Famous as the home of the UK’s oldest and largest Roman dwelling , Fishbourne is a small village close to the city of Chichester, and perched at the top of the Chichester Channel, one of the creeks of Chichester Harbour.

The harbour can be reached from the water meadow to the south of the village and where wildlife flourishes – kingfishers frequent the stream and many migratory birds overwinter in the harbour. From Fishbourne, walkers can traverse the many trails around the harbour, exploring the neighbouring waterside villages of Bosham, Dell Quay, Chidham and Itchenor along the way.

Cyclists can take the Salterns Way cycle path which winds through Fishbourne, onto the Manhood Peninsula, ending at the golden sands of West Wittering beach. Emperor Way cycle path connects the village with Chichester.

Bosham is renowned as one of the most photogenic locations on the South Coast and is a lovely combination of being both buzzy and chilled at the same time. It can get busy in the summer months but is never packed.

 Bosham is also a village of historical significance, thanks to its reputed links with King Canute, who is said to have commanded the waves to retreat from here. King Canute’s daughter’s final resting place is thought to be below the foot of the chancel steps in Bosham’s Holy Trinity Church , she is thought to have drowned in Bosham Mill stream.

Bosham also features in the Bayeux Tapestry – the tapestry depicts the moment King Harold, who lived in Bosham, and his entourage rode to the village church before sailing to meet the Duke of Normandy in 1064.

A hive of activity in warmer months, the village is a sailing hub, providing mooring for countless boats and yachts. It is a popular place for dinghy sailing and there are sailing courses for children available most of the year.

Bosham Quay is a perfect people-watching location, and an ideal point from which to admire the views across the harbour in all seasons. There are plenty of places to buy coffee or ice cream to have in or take away as you amble by the water’s edge, watching the world go by.

Do be careful where you park your car though; when the tide comes in (aka The Bosham Car Wash) it usually floods the road immediately next to the harbour. There are some cautionary photographic tales to be seen on the walls of the nearby Anchor Bleu pub of cars swamped in water.

Footpaths lead along the shoreline in either direction, affording views of the village and a thrilling causeway allows walkers to cross the harbour at low tide. Keen photographers are highly recommended to experience the stunning sunsets above the coastline. 

A ferry connects Bosham with Itchenor which enables a splendid 10 mile circular walking route around Chichester Harbour area and taking in six of the Harbour Villages.

Famed for its sailing, the picturesque village of Itchenor sits on the eastern shoreline of Chichester Harbour. Itchenor is the perfect base from which to discover more of the Harbour, with the tiny Itchenor Ferry connecting the village to Bosham for endless walking and cycling possibilities.

Chichester Harbour Conservancy is based in the village, the organisation which looks after the Harbour for recreation, leisure, and nature conservation, and is responsible for the safety of navigation. The Conservancy’s Solar Heritage is a near silent, solar-powered catamaran which runs regular harbour tours, and offers a chance for visitors to get closer to the harbour’s wildlife and habitats.

Don’t Miss: The Ship ; the Quarterdeck Café

Image: Simon Carey / Chidham Creek / CC BY-SA 2.0

Chidham village lies on a loop-road, halfway down the peninsula and sits opposite Bosham on the west side of Bosham Channel on the middle of the three promontories that make up Chichester Harbour. To the ancients, Bosham Harbour looked like a sort of moneybag which filled up twice a day. The old English word for pouch was ‘ceode’, which became ‘chid’; ‘ham’ could mean ‘watery meadow’ as well as the more usual ‘village’.

Cobnor Activities Centre can be found here with all the watersporting activities the Trust offers. The only road leading out to Cobnor Point is a private road, so access to and from the harbour is limited but there is a network of public footpaths for walkers, giving access to the shore and intertidal mudflats of Chichester harbour. The land is largely flat so makes for easy walking around the Chidham shoreline. There are about twenty-five different species of waterfowl commonly seen along this shore, not including various species of gull. Look out for little egrets, now established due to warmer weather – about 200 live in the harbour complex.

Don’t miss: Chidmere Farm , The Old House at Home , Cobnor Activities Centre and Chidham Church.

Thorney Island

Image: Great Deep, Thorney Island, Charlesdrakew, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Thorney Island is a peninsula which juts out into Chichester Harbour and and is perhaps is best known for its military airbase, but before the airbase was built there was a small but thriving village of West Thorney. The 13th century Church of St Nicholas is the best remnant of the village.

The fate of Thorney Island was determined by a chance event on 25th September 1933. A Hawker Fury biplane crashed on Thorney Island on that day, killing the pilot. When officials from the Air Ministry decided to check the scene of the accident they realised that Thorney Island would make an excellent site for an airbase. 

Thorney Island was well used by the RAF in the second world war. Bombing raids on German ports and shipping, reconnaissance flights and coastal patrol operations all took off from Thorney during the war. Once peace arrived the airbase continued in service - it had been metalled in 1942 and substantial amounts had been spent on its infrastructure. The RAF finally left Thorney Island in 1976 and the Army now have a barracks on the island. 

Life at West Thorney on Thorney Island had always been tough. Until the 20th century the island was much more remote than it is today. Thorney was a genuine island in those days - although it was possible to ford the flats between Thorney and Prinsted on the mainland at low tide, but this was a precarious business. The church records at Thorney contain details of a number of deaths caused by the sea and misjudged crossings. The remnants of those dangerous currents no longer flow through the Great Deep - the channel which separates Thorney Island from the mainland - because modern engineering and the partial silting up of Chichester Harbour means that you can now pass to and from the Island without realising that you have left the mainland.

Unsurprisingly, with such a large amount of shoreline on Chichester Harbour, Thorney Island is a valued Nature Reserve. There is a popular walk -  the Thorney Island Circular  - which takes you to Longmere Point and the sandbanks of Pilsey Island - the central part of Chichester Harbour. There are some restrictions on access to Thorney Island's interior due to the military presence but don't let that put you off, it's a wonderful walk and forms part of the Sussex Border path. There is nowhere to buy refreshments  on the island so remember to take supplies with you.

(There was once an East Thorney on the other side of Chichester Harbour near East Wittering. The parish has now almost completely been washed into Bracklesham Bay.)

Southbourne, Nutbourne & Prinsted

Towards prinsted point.

Image: Prinsted Point by Colin Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0

Southbourne is a village lying east of the Hampshire County Border at Emsworth  and west of Chidham. Southbourne as a place name did not exist until 1876.

At one time this small area of Sussex had 4 flour mills; three tidal mills and one windmill. Nutbourne is mentioned in the Doomsday Book as having a cornmill worked by the tides. 

Historically, the area was agricultural with market gardens, orchards, and cattle farming. Since Roman times, the main artery has been the modern day Main Road, the A259 (formerly the A27). Seeing it today, it is hard to imagine that the road was used extensively for driving cattle and taking produce to the markets in Chichester and Portsmouth. Cattle was still being moved along the road from field to field as late as the 1950's. 

The area South of the Main Road with access to Chichester Harbour is known as Prinsted. It is a pretty village with several old farmhouses, barns, thatched roofed properties and timber-framed buildings. Prinsted is also mentioned  in the Doomsday book  and was connected with and used by the Hermits of the Causeway; the word ‘hermit’ in this instance does not refer to a recluse as in the modern sense, but to one having responsibility for the maintenance of a bridge or causeway and, in this instance, the causeway to Emsworth.

A good way to explore this area is to stroll along easy paths following the Chichester Harbour shoreline from Prinsted to Nutbourne Bay with splendid views of the Thorney Channel and back through countryside and a commercial orchard. This walk is excellent for bird watching in the wintertime on the mudflats at low tide. In summer watch the dinghy sailing at high tide.

Birdham Pool Marina

Image: Maria Ryan

Birdham is a sailing village situated on the inner reaches of Chichester Harbour.

The village, which is somewhat spread out with plenty of desirable harbourside houses, gives its name to the easternmost of the four main channels that reach inland from the main part of the Harbour - the Birdham Channel.

The most notable feature of Birdham is the huge number of yachts moored at Chichester Yacht Basin and Birdham Pool. The yachts and the attractive harbour views make Birdham one of the more interesting places to walk around on the Manhood Peninsula - the flat expanse of land south of Chichester that pushes out into the sea at Selsey Bill .

At Chichester Yacht Basin, Chichester Canal reaches the sea and there are pleasant walks alongside the restored canal from here, all the way to  the canal basin at Chichester , passing Donnington and Hunston on the way.

Birdham is also very popular with holidaymakers as it's just a few miles from the lovely sandy sweep of Bracklesham Bay and West Wittering Beach.

Spring Field in Birdham is named after bare knuckle boxer Tom Spring. In 1824 Spring won the All-England boxing championship in a brutal 70 round fight with John Langan. Spring's prize was £500 - a huge amount of money back then.

Don’t miss: Scuttlebutt Café at Birdham Marina

Dell Quay & Apuldram

Image: Nigel Phillips

Apuldram, which is sometimes spelt Appledram, is a small, quiet village which is a little strung out along its single road. As well as a fine 13th church sitting in a lovely setting, the village contains a special manor house called Rymans. Rymans was built in the early 1400's and has an unusual design, featuring a central tower with a pyramid shaped cap, which was added to it two centuries later. Although Rymans isn't open to the public, look out for the occasional chance to have a look at the house when its gardens are opened to the public.

Apuldram village used to be a more substantial place largely as a result of its medieval port. A survey in 1433 noted that there were three main streets in the village, two of which no longer exist other than as footpaths. These lost streets ran between Apuldram Church and the what would then have been a relatively busy harbourside.

Cyclists and walkers can use the excellent  Salterns Way cycle path  which runs through fields in Apuldram before heading on to Birdham and Chichester Marinas and on towards the mouth of Chichester Harbour at  East Head .

Apuldram parish contains the old port of Dell Quay. Although Dell Quay is now only used by smaller yachts and dinghies, it used to be a fairly major port, serving Chichester. The silting up of the northern reaches of Chichester Harbour made Dell Quay's commercial viability slip away over time, just as the Roman port of Fishbourne further up the Birdham Channel had become redundant before it. 

Dell Quay today is a beautiful place and the garden of the Crown and Anchor pub is a great place to watch the sun set across the Chichester Harbour AONB, listening to the sounds of the birds across the water and the clinking of the boats moored nearby.

Don’t miss: Crown and Anchor

Image: Basher Eyre / People enjoying the canal just north of Hunston Bridge / CC BY-SA 2.0

Hunston is a small village about two miles south of Chichester , lying on the route of Chichester Canal at the northern end of the Manhood Peninsula.

St Leodegar's Church in Hunston stands away from the village by an overgrown pond in a peaceful setting and merits a visit. The Victorian church has a rare dedication which is unique in Sussex, it has also been spelt St Ledger in the past.

Don't miss: the popular annual Hunston Fireworks and Funfair held on the playfield field.

Emsworth is a picturesque small town lying at the north end of  Chichester Harbour, nestled between the South Downs and the sea and across the county border in Hampshire. With its Georgian architecture, narrow streets, waterside views, interesting independent shops and several good restaurants the old fishing village is an attractive place to visit. Emsworth has a strong fishing, sailing and boat building heritage. Until the last century, the town was renowned for its oyster beds supplying all the best hotels and restaurants in London daily with Emsworth oysters by train.

Find out more

Eat Out in Harbour Villages

Stay in harbour villages, things to do in harbour villages, shop in harbour villages.

Chichester Marina

More news from All At Sea

Marina Focus: Portland Marina

Birdham Pool Waterside and Marina

Meals & Memories with a View

Karpaz Gate Marina

Marina Focus: Largs Yacht Haven

Haslar Marina

Eastbourne’s Sovereign Harbour

Torquay Marina

Privacy overview.

• A-Z Sitemap
• Tourist Information
• West Sussex hotels
• West Sussex attractions
• Countryside
• LIVING IN WEST SUSSEX
• Sussex Villages
• Shopping Directory
• What's on in West Sussex
• Things to do
• Information about Chichester Canal, its history and restoration and its canalside walk
• Sailing clubs in and around Chichester Harbour
• Places to moor boats in Chichester Harbour and around the Sussex coast
• Lovely Itchenor is the next village along the coast from Birdham
• Cycling along Salterns Way to Birdham from Chichester or West Wittering
• West Wittering Beach - probably the sandiest beach in West Sussex
• Good places for a seaside self-catering holiday
• Good holiday accommodation in Chichester, just 4 miles from Birdham
• The village of Sidlesham is a few miles from Birdham
• Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve is six miles away on the other side of the Manhood Peninsula

BIRDHAM INFORMATION

Birdham pool, birdham school, stirlands cricket club, birdham parish council, 1st birdham and wittering scout troop, where to stay near birdham.

• Luxury Hotels near Birdham
• Bed And Breakfast In Birdham. West Sussex.info's suggestions.
• Beachfront Holiday Cottages near Chichester Harbour and the Sussex coast
• Short Stay Studio Lets in West Sussex
• Arundel Guide
• Bognor Guide
• Burgess Hill Guide
• Chichester Guide
• Crawley Guide
• East Grinstead Guide
• Haywards Heath Guide
• Horsham Guide
• Littlehampton Guide
• Midhurst Guide
• Petworth Guide
• Shoreham-by-Sea Guide
• Steyning Guide
• Worthing Guide
• The city of Chichester - see our guide to Chichester for details of attractions and things to do.
• Bosham village
• Donnington village
• Fishbourne village and Roman Palace
• Itchenor - another Chichester Harbour village popular with yachtsmen
• The Salterns Way
• Chichester Canal
• Chichester Harbour Guide
• Details of sailing clubs around Chichester Harbour
• Sidlesham and Highleigh
• Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve
• West Sussex news, blog and features
• Full details of sports clubs in West Sussex
• West Sussex bed and breakfast guide

copyright © West Sussex.info 2008-21.

Page author: Mark Hoult of West Sussex.info

The stunning canal walk from Chichester to the coast through idyllic countryside

The four-mile route from the canal basin to Chichester Harbour is perfect for a Jubilee weekend stroll

• 09:41, 29 MAY 2022

Situated between Chichester and its iconic nearby harbour lies a canal walk through beautiful countryside. The four-mile trek from the canal basin to Birdham village takes you through a mixture of open farmland, with astonishing views of landscapes, coastlines and wildlife along the way.

The Chichester Canal walk has to be considered one of the best ways to take in all the area has to offer. Hunston Bridge provides an incredible view of the canal against the backdrop of Chichester Cathedral and the South Downs which was painted by JMW Turner in 1828.

Historic remnants of Poyntz Bridge can also be seen near the canal basin with information boards dotted along the way which point out everything on offer. The canal was built in 1822 to service the nearby city but never proved to be a commercial success.

READ MORE: The cut-off West Sussex village with incredible views of Chichester Harbour

Today it is mainly used for boat trips, rowing and fishing while its bankside paths provide the iconic walking route. At the end of the canal lies Birdham village which definitely fits the bill of an idyllic Chichester Harbour village.

Birdham Pool is the most notable part of the village itself, with a substantial number of boats moored at the Chichester Yacht Basin. Traditional country villages scenes are on offer in Birdham, along with incredible views over the harbour towards Thorney and Pilsey islands.

If you keep your eyes peeled along the way you might catch a glimpse of some incredible wildlife. It is common to see waterfowl such as moorhens, coots, mallards, swans sharing the water with birds including the heron, kingfisher, whitethroat, common sandpiper, spotted flycatcher and woodpecker.

Refreshments are on offer at each end on the path from the Canal Cafe at the basin or the Boathouse at the marina. dogs should be kept on a lead at all times and should be discouraged from entering the water.

There is plenty of free parking at Chichester Marina in Birdham, while limited spaces are available at the canal basin. For people who do not want to walk the whole way there and back, there is a bus route which connects Birdham, Hunston and the bus station in Chichester which is a short stroll away from the basin.

• Most Recent

• Competitions
•   Account

Chichester Pilot Notes & Charts

Unauthorised reproduction strictly prohibited - Terms & Conditions

• [email protected]
• 02392 706 603

Making The Most of Chichester Harbour

Thornham marina guide to discovering chichester harbour by boat.

There’s plenty of special places to reach by boat from Thornham Marina by cruising all the creeks of Chichester Harbour. There’s something very special about exploring by boat rather than by car, where you can row ashore for a glorious walk or visit the local hostelry in this amazing Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. When boaters enter Chichester Harbour they find many charts only show a few marked anchorages such as East Head, which is often packed out on a hot summers day. However, there are plenty more places to explore which can make a great adventure, especially if you have a tender, kayak or sailing dinghy in tow.

Here’s our Thornham Marina Guide to exploring Chichester Harbour’s creeks and anchorages.

Heading up the Itchenor Channel, you can pick up a visitor mooring or beyond the Itchenor Sailing Club, you can berth on the visitor pontoons. Here you can enjoy the beautiful tree-lined shores and stunning houses, and watch the action as the classic Itchenor Sunbeams and X Boats arrive back at their moorings. Head ashore and take the footpath from Itchenor around the shore to East. Stop for a drink or book in for a meal at The Ship.

Beyond Chichester Yacht Basin the channel leads up to Dell Quay, once a busy port serving Chichester. If your boat can take the ground it’s fun to head up there on an incoming tide to anchor to the side of the channel. Keep an eye on the tidal curve and be sure to head off in good time before the tide goes out, or you can dry out if you wish and chill out. There’s excellent food at the Crown and Anchor which overlooks the harbour.

Beyond Itchenor is the delightful Birdham Pool and in easy reach when cruising from Thornham Marina. It’s one of the UK’s earliest marinas. Enter via a lockgate with opens approximately three hours either side of high water. Berthing is often between ‘old style’ mooring posts, rather than modern finger pontoons, although there are some pontoons and a hammerhead pontoon. Book ahead to stay the night there. The friendly lockgate staff are often happy to take a line.

Birdham is one of the harbour’s most snug and sheltered marinas, with delightful walks from the beautiful Pool towards Itchenor and the beach at East Head or towards Dell Quay. Chichester Yacht Club welcomes visiting yachtsmen for dinner. Press on further into the wide open Chichester Lake where it’s possible to anchor on the edge of the channel in the Lake, although watch out for dinghies racing from Chichester Yacht Club. 

Bosham Channel & Quay

Coming back down the Itchenor Channel take a right turn northwards up the Bosham Channel. You can pick up a free mooring for lunch and watch out for the Cobnor Activities Centre Trust boats and kayaks teaching schools and youth groups how to sail. Be ready to slip your lines if the mooring owner comes back. Or head up to Bosham Quay and moor up here. It’s best to approach on a rising tide and use plenty of fenders against the old Quay. The village and church are worth exploring and so too is the Anchor Bleu pub and charming tea room in the high street.

Heading west towards Langstone Bridge, if your boat can take the ground, anchor on gravelly mud between Conigar Point and Langstone, for views of Warblington Church the Castle and the stunning Langstone Mill. Both the Royal Oak and The Ship Inn can be reached by boat on a spring tide for a quick pint before the tides goes down. Or anchor off and tender ashore for a more relaxed visit and food. Watch out for the Langstone rowing gigs, which are often out and rowing hard up towards Marker post and beyond.

Mengham Rythe

Possibly the most hidden haven, Tournerbury Pool, can be found at the very top of the Creek beyond Mengham Sailing Club. Sitting in a heavily wooded site, the pool is part of the former Tornerbury Fort and thought to be a Celtic settlement responsible for salt production. Best approached on an incoming tide, keep a wary eye on your depth gauge as it can get very shallow! This magical little pool is brought to life in the wonderful historical novel Dick Burgess of Bosham by Keith Vignoles.

Although prone to being busy at weekends and during holidays, East Head remains a special anchorage. On a quiet weekday evening watch the glorious sunset over Portsmouth’s Emirates Tower and take in the panoramic views across the South Downs, Goodwood and Chichester Cathedral.

Pilsey Island

If you are short of time or don’t wish to go too far, then closest to cruise to/from Thornham Marina is the peace and serenity of Thorney Channel. Sheltered by the beautiful Pilsey Island and ancient broken walkway and mudflats extending from Chidham. You can anchor safely overnight between the ‘goal post’ channel markers and to the south of the TISC mooring buoys.

For a bigger day out from Thornham Marina, on the west side of the Harbour up the Emsworth Channel, you can anchor overnight on either side of the creek between Mill Rythe and Sweare Deep. Sit there long enough on a quiet evening and you might be lucky to have a visit from the harbour seals – or watch them sunbathing on the mud at half tide! Beyond Marker the Emsworth channel splits at the NE Hayling port hand marker. Heading to Emsworth you can pick up a space on the visitor pontoon off Fowley Island. Tender ashore to the Emsworth Quay, where fabulous pubs and restaurants in South Street and the village square await. Alternatively, the Chichester Harbour Master offers a launch service 2 hours either side of HW on weekends and Bank Holidays from 0830 to 1700 from Easter to end September. Call Channel 14 or 07864 915247.

Get in Touch Newsletter sign up

“A 7 mile walk around thorney island and a lovely church. Free parking but security gates etch. Stunning views across to IOW and to Hauling and Portsmouth….”

Rosalind Cooper View more review

Thornham Marina, Thornham Lane, Prinsted, Nr. Emsworth, Hampshire, PO10 8DD

Keep up to date with news, events & offers

• Data Request
• Winter Storage

Fast Track Enquiry

• Full Name *
• Phone Number
• We will use your data to fulfil your request. Privacy Policy.
• Keep up to date with our offers, events & news
• Email This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Waterside dining & drinks in an area of outstanding natural beauty

At a glimpse

Experience award-winning casual dining at Boat House, nestled within the scenic Chichester Marina. Immerse yourself in breath-taking views of Chichester Harbour that set the stage for an exceptional dining experience. Perched on the waterfront, Boat House treats you to panoramic scenes of the harbour, allowing you to witness the gentle sway of boats and feel the invigorating sea breeze, all while being surrounded by serene beauty.

Our menu is a dedication to the vibrant flavours of the region, with each dish carefully crafted using the finest ingredients sourced from nearby farms and waters. Awarded Best Casual Dining in Sussex, our commitment to culinary excellence ensures that every visit to Boat House is a celebration of exceptional food and unforgettable moments.

A magical way to spend your day

Whether you’re in the mood for a casual breakfast, a leisurely lunch, or a romantic dinner, Boat House offers the perfect setting. Our brasserie-style menu is inspired by the wealth of produce from our region, both from the land and sea. The contemporary yet cosy atmosphere invites you to unwind and create cherished moments with your friends and loved ones.

Our well-stocked bar, featuring a comprehensive wine list, caters to all wine enthusiasts, while our terrace and garden provide an idyllic spot to watch the sun set over Chichester Harbour, all while savouring one of our delicious cocktails.

Opening Hours

Opening hours

Opening hours 

Food service

The Boat House Café

Our coffee shop is the perfect spot for relaxation and friendly gatherings, or a delightful pitstop during your stroll.  Indulge in a diverse array of sweet and savoury breakfast and lunch delights, and a choice of beverages, including the exceptional taste of Mozzo® coffee and refreshing cold-pressed juices. Plus, for your convenience, everything on our menu is ready for takeaway.

Open every day 10:00 – 15:00.

Summer only

Lobster Hatch

Our fabulous new Lobster Hatch is open every weekend throughout the summer from 12-8pm, offering a relaxed outdoor dining experience with a menu packed with delicious, fresh, locally sourced seafood and succulent burgers to enjoy by the waterside or take away. With our seafood arriving daily by local boats, we can guarantee quality and freshness.

Perfect with a cold beer or a crisp glass of wine or bubbles!

A quintessential British experience

Afternoon Tea

Immerse yourself in the picturesque scenery of Chichester Harbour as you treat yourself to a delightful array of culinary delights, featuring a curated selection of finger sandwiches crafted with the finest fish, meat, and vegetarian fillings, each thoughtfully paired with our in-house baked brioche scones and an assortment of delectable cakes, that are as pleasing to the eye as they are to the palate.

Sip and savour with your choice of unlimited Birchall tea or delicious Mozzo coffee. For those seeking an extra touch of luxury, enjoy a glass of bubbly that adds a sparkling touch to your afternoon retreat.

£22.50 or £27.50 with a glass of Prosecco

AFTERNOON TEA MENU

Special events

Private parties & events

Looking for a unique venue for a party, celebration, wake or corporate event? Celebrate your special event in style with us!

Our talented chefs can provide a variety of food and drink packages to match your requirements and budget, from nibbles and canapes to sit-down dinners and buffets.

Our entire restaurant can take 80 seated or 100 standing and our deck conservatory can take 40 seated or 50 standing.

Get in touch with our friendly team to make your party plans today!

hosting wakes and celebrations of life 

New parking controls

From  Monday 16th October 2023 , Premier Marinas will be implementing barrier access controls at Chichester Marina to monitor access and enhance round-the-clock security at the marina.  All visitors to the marina will be entitled to  2 hours FREE parking , any additional hours will need to be paid at one of the two pay stations.  The tariff will be as follows:

Up to 2 hours – FREE (no need to validate ticket)

2-3 hours – £1.00

3-4 hours – £2.00

4-5 hours – £3.00

5-6 hours – £4.00

6-24 hours – £6.00

Unique Experiences, Expertly Delivered

Our exciting calendar of events offers guests the opportunity to experience the unique hospitality of our collection of venues. It’s a chance for our talented teams to show you what they can do.

Live Music Every Friday Night

Our Location

Follow us on Instagram to see the memories made and shared at our unique venue.

• Summer berthing
• Annual berthing
• Pit Stop package
• Visiting Premier

Chichester tides

This website has been derived in part from material obtained from the UK Hydrographic Office with the permission of the UK Hydrographic Office and Keeper of Public Records. The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) and its licensors make no warranties or representations, express or implied, with respect to this product. The UKHO and its licensors have not verified the information within this product or quality assured it. © British Crown Copyright, 2023

Download the Premier Marinas mobile app

Geograph - photograph every grid square

Su8301 : chichester yacht basin, taken 21 years ago , near to birdham , west sussex, england.

• Share... Share this photo via Twitter Share this photo via Facebook Share this photo via Pinterest Share this photo via Flipboard Share this photo via email/e-card Grab a Stamped/Watermarked Image

• Marked Images
• Collections
• 2025 Calendar
• Discussions
• Leaderboards

Page updated at 15:58

Sitemap | Cookies | Credits | Terms of use | Get Involved

• Boats for Sale
• Social News
• Testimonials

NYB Chichester

Current Temp

Easily accessed from air, land and sea, Network Yacht Brokers (NYB) Chichester is based in Chichester Marina just a few miles to the SW of the town itself. The second largest Marina in the UK and set in one of the South Coast’s most popular sailing waters and within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, as many as 12,500 craft regularly use the harbour. NYB Chichester is therefore well placed to offer a range of marine services; including Yacht Brokerage, Finance and Insurance.  Under our flag of Blackrock Yachting we are also the official South East Coast Dealer for both Jeanneau Sail Boats & Power Boats (inboard and outboard) and BRIG RIBs. New yachts are only part of our business with brokerage also being a major focus.

We not only offer the best exposure for the owners of their boats in the Chichester area but also the most competitive rates. We also list yachts internationally and since opening in 2012 we have sold over 700 boats ranging from 12 to 60 feet; so whether it is Power or Sail we have the knowledge and experience in our Brokerage Team to assist you with a smooth transaction whether you are a buyer or a seller. At NYB Chichester We strongly believe that the role of the Yacht Broker is to provide the complete Service that makes selling or buying a boat both problem-free and enjoyable.

If you are looking for a Yacht Broker based in Chichester then look no further and contact us on 01243 550042.

Open seven days a week, Simon, Ken, Nick or Mandy will be waiting for your call.

• Milford Haven

• Sell My Boat
• NYB Group Offices
• Become A Yacht Broker
• Manufacturers
• Privacy Policy

© 2004-24 Network Yacht Brokers

Chichester Ship Canal

• 01243 771363
• Canal History
• Heritage Centre
• Chichester Canal Trust Organisation

Rowing boat hire

• Canoeing, paddleboarding & small unpowered craft

Walks & Wildlife

Model boating.

• Scheduled boat trips
• Fish & Chips cruise
• Cream Tea cruise
• Charter Cruises
• Father Christmas boat trips
• Chinese Takeaway Cruises
• Special Trips
• Education on the Canal
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Become a member
• Volunteers Area
• Members Area

Enter your search term and press enter

Please support Chichester Canal

Help our volunteers keep the canal open and accessible for everyone, chichester canal, one of the most beautiful locations in the city centre to relax and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee., our boat kingfisher, ready for daily scheduled trips, do you have time to spare and enjoy working in a team, whether indoors or outside.

Join the Canal Trust as a volunteer!

Chichester Canal Attractions

Take short cruise on Kingfisher or join us for a meal onboard Richmond.

Rowing can either be a relaxing way to spend a sunny afternoon or it can be an option for vigorous exercise in a beautiful setting. The choice is yours!

Canoeing or paddleboarding-a great way to enjoy the Canal

Walkers, runners and cyclists can all enjoy the 4 mile canal towpath. You may see kingfishers, egrets, foxes or deer, a variety of dragonflies and fish, and some rare plants.

For pleasure and competition anglers. The canal holds good stocks of roach, rudd, perch, common, crucian and mirror carp, bream, tench, pike and eels plus some dace and chubb.

Chichester Model Boat Group

A haven of tranquility in beautiful West Sussex.

Chichester Canal is a leisure waterway linking historic Chichester to the sea. The canal runs 4 miles from the Basin to the Harbour at Birdham and, today, the 2 miles as far as Donnington are navigable.

This tranquil haven starts within easy walking distance from the railway station, bus terminus and city centre. The canal has sections bounded by mature trees and also travels through open farm land with good views of the cathedral and South Downs.  It is valued by local residents and holidaymakers who enjoy the many activities – narrow boat trips, rowing, canoeing, rambling, fishing, and cycling.  The tow path is a designated public footpath, now part of the extended Lipchis Way.

Management of the activities and maintenance of the canal is the responsibility of Chichester Ship Canal Trust, which leases the canal from West Sussex County Council.  The Canal Trust is a registered charity with around 800 members. A major aim of the Trust is to preserve, maintain and improve the navigation between Chichester and the harbour – a historical monument to the transport revolution in Britain in the 19th century. A further objective of the Trust is to provide amenities and attractions for locals and visitors to enjoy.

The Trust is entirely manned by volunteers who crew the boats, run the shop, bailiff the angling and carry out maintenance and restoration work.

About the Canal Trust

BOAT BUILDING, BROKERAGE & YACHT SERVICES

Northshore, builders of iconic craft such as Southerly, Vancouver, Fisher and Supermarine, have been established since 1971. 

From our delightful setting in Chichester Harbour, this ideal location is perfect for marine businesses. The harbour is an area of outstanding natural beauty and offers a superb base to visit some of the prettiest places along the South Coast, with easy access to the Solent, Isle of Wight and English Channel.

Our businesses share the unique location and facilities at Northshore Shipyard.

  Boat building, brokerage sales, yacht services, boat repairs, 

navigation  and electronics,  composites moulding  and  tooling.

The Quarterdeck Cafe is located onsite offering lunch and refreshments.

• About Rodman
• About Tracker Boats and Regency Pontoon Boats
• Testimonials

Boats for Sale

• Rodman Boats
• Tracker Boats
• Pontoon Boats
• Selling Your Boat

Additional Services

• Marine Finance
• Suzuki Engines
• Marine Electronics

News, Events & Blog

• News and Events

Let us know what you need...

No boats matching this selection.

Price: £4,999

Length: 7.42m, location: birdham pool marina.

Colvic Countess 28

Price: £7,500, length: 8.53m, location: birdham pool.

Hillyard 8 Tonner

Price: £9,500, length: 8.74m, location: chichester.

Hardy Pilot 20

Length: 6.10m.

Custom Wallasea Bay Ocean Class

Price: £12,500, length: 10.66m, location: birdham.

Norfolk Gypsy

Price: £13,950, length: 7.26m.

Elkins Auxiliary Gaff Cutter

Price: £14,995, length: 7.30m.

Striper 220 WA

Price: £29,495, length: 6.55m.

Maxum 2500 SE

Price: £29,950, length: 7.53m.

Moody 36 CC

Price: £29,995, length: 10.98m, location: portsmouth.

Price: £45,500

Length: 8.61m, location: gillingham.

Tracker Targa V19 Combo

Price: £52,500, length: 6.05m.

Price: £59,950

Price: £69,950

Length: 9.20m.

Rodman 870 Flybridge

Length: 9.08m, location: poole.

Catamaran 9.8m Colne Catamaran

Price: £75,000, length: 9.80m.

Rodman 790 Ventura CC

Price: £81,000, length: 8.20m.

Rodman 1120

Price: £85,000, length: 10.97m.

Jeanneau Merry Fisher 795 SERIE 2

Price: £92,500, length: 7.19m.

Regency 250 LE3 Sport

Price: £96,250, length: 8.36m.

Rodman 890 Ventura HT

Price: £112,500, length: 8.90m.

Cory Invicta 295

Price: £115,000, length: 9.00m, location: whitehaven.

Price: £120,000

Length: 11.80m, location: alderney.

Rodman 1170

Price: £129,000, length: 11.49m, location: guernsey.

Rodman Spirit 31 Outboard

Price: £149,995, length: 9.48m.

Price: £153,500

Length: 13.72m.

Rodman 33 Offshore

Price: £174,166, length: 11.45m.

Rodman Spirit 31

Price: £176,500, length: 9.70m.

Atlantic 42

Price: £179,950, length: 13.10m.

Price: £216,000

Jeanneau Merry Fisher 1095

Price: £258,500, length: 10.45m.

Rodman 1090 Evolution HT

Price: £278,000, length: 10.70m.

Rodman 1090 Evolution Flybridge

Price: £281,500.

Rodman Spirit 42 Coupé

Price: £454,000, length: 13.35m.

Rodman Spirit 42 Flybridge

Price: £462,500, length: 12.80m.

Rodman 1290 Evolution Flybridge

Price: £482,000, length: 12.90m.

Rodman 1290 Evolution

Price: £485,000, location: swanwick.

Rodman Muse 44

Price: £525,000, length: 13.60m, location: greece.

Crash of an Antonov AN-2 in Saratov: 8 killed