Walks near Chichester
South Downs, harbour paths and traffic-free trails
Chichester is exceptionally well placed for walking, with the South Downs rising immediately to the north, Chichester Harbour spreading to the south-west and a network of paths, trails and lanes radiating from the city in all directions. Whether the aim is a gentle stroll along a canal towpath or a full day on the Downs with packed lunch and walking boots, the options within reach of the city are extensive and varied.
The Centurion Way is the most accessible walk from the city itself. This traffic-free path follows the route of a disused railway from the edge of Chichester northward to West Dean, running for about three and a half miles through open farmland at the foot of the Downs. The surface is good, the gradient is gentle and the path is suitable for pushchairs, wheelchairs and cycles as well as walkers. It is well used at all times of year and provides a direct connection between the city and the downland countryside.
The Chichester Canal towpath offers another flat, easy walk. The canal runs south from the city basin towards Chichester Harbour at Birdham, a distance of about three and a half miles. The towpath is lined with trees, and the water attracts herons, kingfishers and other wildlife. The walk can be extended along the harbour shore at Birdham, creating a longer loop.
For more ambitious walking, the South Downs are within a few minutes' drive or a short cycle ride. The South Downs Way, the long-distance national trail running from Winchester to Eastbourne, passes through the downland north of Chichester. Circular walks from the villages of Lavant, Singleton, East Dean and Cocking take in the chalk grassland, ancient woodland, hill forts and spectacular views that characterise the Downs. The Trundle, an Iron Age hill fort above the village of Lavant, is a particularly popular walk with panoramic views over Chichester, the coastal plain and the sea.
Chichester Harbour provides a different walking experience. The shoreline paths around Bosham, Itchenor, West Wittering and Emsworth offer flat walking with wide views across the tidal mudflats and salt marshes. The harbour is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a haven for birdlife, and walking here at low tide, with the wading birds feeding on the exposed mud, is a peaceful and restorative experience.
The city itself is walkable. A circuit of the city walls, following the line of the Roman and medieval defences, takes in Priory Park, the Bishop's Palace Gardens and the main streets, and can be completed in well under an hour. It is a good introduction to the layout and history of the city for first-time visitors.
The city itself is walkable and rewards exploration on foot. A circuit of the city walls, following the line of the Roman and medieval defences, takes in Priory Park, the Bishop Palace Gardens and the main streets, and can be completed in well under an hour. It is a good introduction to the layout and history of the city for first-time visitors, and even long-term residents find new details to notice along the way.
For those who prefer a guided experience, walking tours of the city are available, covering the history, architecture and stories of Chichester from its Roman foundation to the present day. The local walking groups also organise regular group walks in the surrounding countryside, providing company, route knowledge and the motivation of a fixed commitment to get out and walk regardless of the weather.