Best walks in Chichester
Chichester is well-positioned to offer walkers a number of interesting different routes, nestled right between the South Downs National Park and Chichester Harbour.
Just a 15-minute drive from our lovely Church Farm Holiday Park, we’ve put together a list of the best Chichester walks for you and your loved ones to enjoy. We’ll outline the length and terrain of each walk so you know what to expect and what you might be able to see along the way.
1. Chichester Canal walk
Distance: 4 miles Terrain: easy
Explore Chichester’s secret waterway by walking the stunning four-mile towpath stretching from the Canal Basin to Chichester Marina. You’ll pass swathes of open farmland with benches dotted along the route if you or the kids fancy a rest or want to admire the wildlife. It’s not uncommon to see waterfowl like moorhens, coots, mallards, or swans alongside birds such as heron, kingfisher and woodpecker.
Stop at the Hunston Bridge to look back and enjoy the canal view against the backdrop of Chichester Cathedral and the Downs which inspired JMW Turner’s 1929 painting. You can grab refreshments at either end of the towpath from the Canal Cafe at the Basin or the Boat House Cafe at the Marina and we recommend starting from the latter because there is free parking.
2. Fishbourne and Bosham circular walk
Distance: 6.5 miles Terrain: easy
Fishbourne and Bosham circular takes you on a loop through the meadows, mud flats, reed beds, farmland and quay situated around the two towns. Taking an average time of just over two hours to complete, it’s a relatively flat walk with just a few little slopes.
Be wary the paths through the water meadows and fields can get boggy so solid boots are useful if there’s been rain and there’s plenty of graze cattle in the Fishbourne Meadows which is great fun for the kids.
3. Itchenor Circular walk
Distance: 4 miles Terrain: moderate
Starting out in the village of Itchenor at the edge of Chichester Harbour, this pretty walk begins and ends along the foreshore of the harbour offering splendid views of all the water activities taking place with the South Downs providing a stunning backdrop.
There are a lot of seats during the early part of the route where you can sit and take in your surroundings, before turning at the church. Allow at least two hours in total and be careful passing the two gates and one stile along the way.
4. The Royal Oak, East Lavant and Saint Roches Hill walk
Distance: 5 miles Terrain: moderate
Allow around two and a half hours for this moderately challenging circular pub walk starting at the Royal Oak in East Lavant, a 20-minute drive from our Church Farm Holiday Park. You can explore the pretty village before heading north on the West Sussex Literary Trail and reaching the top of St Roches Hill. From this great vantage point you’ll have stunning views across Goodwood, Chichester and the whole south coast.
The first half of the walk has one fairly long but steady climb, offset but a nice descent afterwards, with the paths generally wide and well-made. Some stretches can be muddy or overgrown and you’ll likely pass pastures holding sheep.
5. Pagham Harbour and Sidlesham Quay walk
Distance: 2 miles Terrain: easy
This walk is perfect if you have really young kids or older grandparents in your group as it takes just over half an hour to complete. A 20-minute drive from our Church Farm Holiday Park, you’ll start from Pagham Harbour local nature reserve and take in the salty air as you walk along the vast expanse of tidal salt marsh, mud flats and lagoons popular for attracting a vast array of birdlife. The route is completely flat, following well-maintained paths and is suitable for pushchairs with just one gate to negotiate. Pick up a tea or coffee at the RSPB visitor centre at the start of the walk or break for some great local seafood at the aptly-named Crab & Lobster at the half-way point in Sidlesham Quay.
Start planning your Great British break
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Important information
Pre-owned holiday homes from £14,995 – UPDATED 31 JULY 2024 *Holiday home price is based on a pre-owned holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 31 July 2024, price is available at Blue Dolphin, Caister, Cleethorpes Beach, Combe Haven, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Greenacres, Golden Sands, Haggeston, Orchards, Quay West, Skegness and Wild Duck.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
*New holiday homes from £29,995 – UPDATED 29 August 2024
*Holiday home price is based on a new 3-bedroom ABI Horizon holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 29 August 2024, price is available at selected parks Blue Dolphin, Craig Tara, Cleethorpes Beach, Caister, Combe Haven, Far Grange, Greenacres, Golden Sands, Haggerston, Orchards, and Quay West. Price can be withdrawn at any time.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
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Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031’ is available at 33 Haven parks excluding Burnham, Cardigan View, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Lydstep Beach, Riviere Sands and Seaview. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance.
“Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” is applicable to new and existing customer purchases of new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed or equivalent or superior grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion. It is available across 40% of eligible Parks and applies when letting a new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home (or equivalent or superior grade for 15 weeks.
An example of how “Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home at Primrose Valley with a monthly site fee of £585.00 (includes purchasing discount of £45) and monthly letting income of £803.67. The monthly difference equates to £218.67, which will be credited to the owner's account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2024 figures.
Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Atlas Sahara 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.