Chichester Harbour

Sailing, walking and birdwatching in the AONB

Chichester Harbour is one of the great natural features of the south coast, a large tidal inlet covering some 29 square miles of water, mudflats, salt marsh and shoreline. Designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the harbour is shared between West Sussex and Hampshire, and it is a landscape of exceptional ecological importance, scenic beauty and recreational value.

Sailing is the activity most closely associated with the harbour. Chichester Harbour is one of the premier sailing centres in southern England, with yacht clubs at Itchenor, Bosham, Dell Quay and other points around the shore. The harbour provides sheltered water for dinghy racing, cruising and sailing instruction, and the clubs host races and events throughout the sailing season. Itchenor Sailing Club is one of the most active, and the harbour as a whole supports a large fleet of dinghies, keelboats and cruising yachts.

Walking around the harbour is a year-round pleasure. The shoreline paths run through some of the most peaceful and unspoilt countryside on the south coast, with views across the water to the Downs and, on the eastern side, towards the Witterings and the open sea. The villages of Bosham, Itchenor, Birdham and Dell Quay provide starting points and refreshment stops, and circular walks of varying lengths can be plotted using the network of public footpaths.

Birdwatching is outstanding. The harbour's mudflats and salt marshes support huge numbers of wading birds and wildfowl, particularly during the autumn and winter months when migrants arrive from Scandinavia, Siberia and the Arctic. Brent geese, dunlin, grey plover, curlew, redshank and many other species can be seen feeding on the exposed mud at low tide. The harbour is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Protection Area under European legislation, recognising its importance for birds.

The Chichester Harbour Conservancy manages the AONB, balancing the needs of recreation, conservation, navigation and the local communities. The Conservancy runs boat trips, guided walks and educational events, and its office at Itchenor is a source of information about the harbour and its wildlife.

The harbour also has a rich history. Bosham is one of the most historically significant villages on the south coast, with connections to King Canute, Harold Godwinson and the Bayeux Tapestry. The Saxon church at Bosham, with its distinctive tower, is one of the oldest in Sussex. Dell Quay was once an important port for Chichester, and the remains of the quayside can still be seen.

For Chichester residents, the harbour is a constant presence. It shapes the weather, attracts visitors, supports livelihoods and provides a natural environment of rare quality within a few miles of the city centre.

The Chichester Harbour Conservancy manages the AONB, balancing the often competing needs of recreation, conservation, navigation and the local communities that live and work around the harbour. The Conservancy runs boat trips, guided walks and educational events throughout the year, and its office at Itchenor is a source of information about the harbour, its wildlife, its history and its management.

The harbour also has a rich human history that stretches back thousands of years. Bosham is one of the most historically significant villages on the south coast, with connections to King Canute, Harold Godwinson and the Bayeux Tapestry that depict Harold at prayer in Bosham church before his fateful journey to Normandy. The Saxon church at Bosham, with its distinctive tower and chancel arch, is one of the oldest places of worship in Sussex. Dell Quay was once an important port for Chichester, handling goods and passengers before the harbour silted and the trade moved elsewhere.

For Chichester residents, the harbour is a constant presence that shapes the weather, attracts visitors, supports livelihoods and provides a natural environment of rare quality within a few miles of the city centre.