Chichester Marina, Chichester and Dell Quay Circular

Ian Runcie

You need to log in as a member of Walkingworld to access the details for this walk and have an active subscription. Please join, or log in above if you are already a member.

Combining the shoreline of Chichester Harbour, the bustle of Chichester Marina and the tranquillity of Chichester Ship Canal with the addition of some typical English woodland and countryside and a visit to Chichester itself, this is a very varied walk. The photos were taken on a cold, wet January day but the walk is likely to be at its most rewarding in spring. There is about 20 minutes of walking along the unlovely Terminus Road Industrial Estate in Chichester, made necessary by the demise of a footpath over the A27 but why can’t Industrial Estates be just as interesting as hedgerows? Discuss as you plod along.

As a circular walk it could be commenced at a number of points. Those using public transport might prefer to start at Chichester canal basin but the short road-walk from here is not the most auspicious beginning. Buses to the marina and to Hunston and Donnington, all from Chichester, stop en route. Those wishing to start or end with a pub might prefer to begin at Dell Quay and make use of the superbly positioned Crown and Anchor, which serves food all day.

We saw plenty of wading birds on the harbour shoreline as well as moorhens and a solitary kingfisher along the canal. Those interested in industrial archaeology have the Chichester Canal to consider, as well as the remains of the Selsey Tramway. Chichester Harbour has plenty of history, going back even before the Romans made extensive use of it.

England - South England - West Sussex - South Downs

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Cafe, Flowers, Gift Shop, Industrial Archaeology, Mostly Flat, Pub, Public Transport, Restaurant, River, Sea, Wildlife, Woodland

5/10/2013 - terence doyle

We did this walk summer ?????( what there was of it) 2012 but started off from a caravan site and joined the walk at waymark 3. Was fairly pleasant but the industrial estate midweek is quite depressing. I don't know if I've missed something but the crossing of the A27 at the roundabout is verging on lethal if you arrive there any time except early morning or late at night. In fact my partner says if it wasn't for two very kind motorists we would still be stuck in the middle of traffic now. Sorry to be negative, but not being familiar to that area it came as a shock.

2/4/2012 - Graham Hooker

Walked on 3 Feb; ground frozen solid but brilliant blue skies and bright sunshine. An ideal winter walk and very much enjoyed the wetland wildlife and water scenery. No one could fail to enjoy the walk and lovely unspoiled pub. Walked clockwise out from Chichester train station which puts the pub 2/3rds round, then avoided the "unlovely bit" by walking north from point 7 to Fishbourne train station and getting a train back. Superb day. Thanks Ian

8/5/2009 - Ray Churcher

Walked this on 22nd June. This is a good walk of a decent length and so different to walking up on the downs. It's flat for a start! The walk description and pictures are fine and the whole walk is passable at this time. Thanks for this Ian--Ray Churcher.

7/21/2009 - Walkingworld Administrator

Due to extensive summer growth and a difficult road crossing this walk has been rerouted, July 2009, by Ian, to avoid the problems in previous comments.