Late summer is a lovely time to visit the seaside, as long as you are away from the crowds. This is a 5 mile circular walk with some of the best panoramic views of the harbour at Chichester. 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. This walk is taken with permission from Chichester Harbour Conservancy.
1. Take the first path on the left out of the car park. Going up a few steps you can see Bosham Church in the distance (position A on the map). Turn to the right and then left along the field edge, heading towards the shoreline.
2. At the shoreline path, turn right and keep going. Just before you reach the big accommodation boat for Christian Youth Enterprises (B) , the path turns inland. Carefully follow the footpath signs around the buildings and activity fields of the two sailing centres. You will shortly come onto a hard surfaced path through a dinghy park.
3. The path then turns left towards the shoreline. This section is suitable for wheelchairs. It was opened in 1988 on land kindly donated by Martin Beale, whose family still live at
Cobnor House.
4. Keep on the path, there are a number of benches along this route for a break and to enjoy the view. The path eventually leads down a few steps to the shoreline. Turn right along the shore. Once you have passed the shoreline oaks, climb back up onto the bank. Take the footpath that heads inland to the right of the fence (C) .
5. When the path reaches the shoreline, turn right and look out for the footpath sign to the right (D) . The path goes down a few steps and turns back on itself. Turn left at the field edge to walk inland across fields. At the road, turn right. You will shortly come to some houses and then the Old House at Home pub.
6. Past the pub the road bears to the left. Take time to visit the church and look out for their collection of historical ‘teasel people’. Just before the church there is a footpath on the right (E). Keep on this wide grassy path as it wiggles around fields.
7. On the straight section with electricity poles look out for the small unsigned path on the left leading back to the road. Turn right to return to the car park.
DISTANCE: 5 miles
OS MAPS: Ordnance Survey Explorer 120 Chichester
STARTING POINT: Cobnor Farm Amenity car park.
HOW TO GET THERE: From Chichester, take the A259 towards Emsworth. Turn south to Chidham onto Chidham Lane. Keep on this road signposted towards Chidham East. After a mile turn left into the Amenity car park. If you reach the sign for Cobnor House you have gone too far.
TIDES
Please note some paths are flooded at high tide. If you have misjudged the times, you usually only have to wait a short while before the path is clear enough to use. Tide times can be found at www.conservancy.co.uk or from the Harbour Office; please note these are only a prediction and factors such as low pressure can make the tide higher than expected. The shoreline section to the southwest floods when the tide is 4.5m or higher. Aim to reach it two hours before or after high tide.
