Chichester Marina
Children will enjoy waiting to cross the lock and watching the yachts sail into the marina as well as the bird hide, pond and shoreline on this walk.
Views across Chichester Harbour from the marina
The Basics
Time: 1 hour
Distance: 3.3 km / 2 miles
Terrain: Flat, paved paths throughout most of the walk and some shingle paths. A lock to cross.
Pushchair: This route is pushchair friendly.
Dogs: Dogs are welcome on this walk.
Refreshments: Scuttlebutt Cafe at Birdham Pool Marina with a small amount of outdoor seating overlooking the boats or The Boat House Café at the main marina.
Toilets: Just after the marina lock, on the return leg.
Public Transport: Stagecoach routes 52 and 53 between Chichester and The Witterings, stop on the A286 near the entrance road to the marina.
Parking: Marina visitor’s car park just off the access road, free for the first two hours and chargeable for anything over that (Postcode: PO20 7EJ - W3W: ///shredding.trailing.truckload)
Children can access the shoreline to play
This is a great walk for younger legs as it is so easy and has plenty of interest. The walk follows the tail end of the Chichester Canal before heading round to Birdham Pool, where you will find Scuttlebutt Cafe overlooking the marina. Back on the path, you will cross the old lock where the canal meets the sea, before crossing the modern lock into the marina. If you’re lucky, you will spot some of the large yachts coming in and out. The Boathouse Cafe, the foreshore and a bird hide overlooking the wetlands complete the enjoyment.
The Route
Exit the car park and continue along the route you drove in on with the buildings/car parks/marina to your right and the canal and houseboats to your left. Look out for the Egremont Swing Bridge on your left and cross the canal.
Go through the gate on the other side and continue forward on the shingle path. The shingle soon gives way to tarmac and you will pass some large homes before coming to a junction. Turn right.
Walk along the quiet lane. When the lane splits, take the left hand lane, which is essentially straight on. Soon you will see Birdham Pool Marina to your left. Head inside to see the boats, the ducks that gather on Birdham Pool and just the other side of the pool, Scuttlebutt Café. Scuttlebutt has outdoor seating on a deck overlooking the marina and sells hot and cold drinks, cakes, ice-creams etc.
When you are done at Birdham Pool, head back through the way you entered, but this time go forward onto the shingle path rather than back onto the lane. Keep walking straight ahead and go through a gate. When you arrive at some garages/houses, the path will take a sharp left hand turn and pass between some tall garden fences.
The path comes out at the old lock where the canal meets the sea. Cross the lock and turn right on the other side.
Cross the yacht club car park and then turn left to pass by The Boathouse Café. There are benches here and you can access the foreshore of this channel of Chichester Harbour. Continue to the modern lock which allows boats to come in and out of the marina. You may have to wait a few minutes if the gates are open.
On the other side is a stretch of shoreline where children can play at lower tides. Turn right and follow the path back towards the car park on the opposite side of the marina, now with the boats to your right. Look our for the bird hide just before the car park where you can stop and see what wildlife is lurking on the reed marsh.
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Did you know?
Chichester Harbour is one of the south coast's most popular sailing waters and is home to more than 9, 000 vessels. If you have children who are interested in boats, you are sure to spot plenty of these berthed at this marina.
If you enjoyed this walk…
…make it longer by connecting it to this walk along the Chichester Canal.
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