Chichester Walks

There’s nothing like a walk to get me excited about exploring the UK. I like seeing this country on foot, and when I get to do so on the seaside I love it. Today’s journey is taking me on one of the many Chichester walks in West Sussex, England. I can’t wait to explore the area around the harbor and city.

A friend has arranged the day trip from London for a walking group he runs, and I’ve joined to breathe the seaside air, see the sights, and get some exercise.

We take the train from Waterloo to Southbourne at 8am, changing once en route. In around two hours we find ourselves alighting at the small train station on the West Sussex coast near the Hampshire border.

Our coastal walk near London will take us from Southbourne to Chichester, winding around the channels and through the villages in the Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The AONB covers 46 square miles (74 square km) of land, sea, and intertidal habitats. It’s popular for sailing and full of bird life and bucolic villages, and I can’t wait to see it all firsthand.

Southbourne

We commence our 11.5-mile (18.5km) route with a walk from Southbourne to Prinsted. Along the way we pass a historic church and an American vintage car show as the landscape quickly goes from suburban to rural.

As we take in horses grazing in fields of yellow flowers, it’s hard to remember I was in the capital just hours ago.

Prinsted

Soon we find ourselves in Prinsted, where we start to catch glimpses of the finger-like channels that make their way inland from the English Channel.

We walk along them, taking in the boats and relaxing into the coastal scenery. Dogs run up to say hello and it all feels very country.

Chidham

Not long later, this loveliest of Chichester walks leads us to Chidham. The village has historic houses and a church where we can hear music from the Sunday service.

Soon the walk takes us back to the water and we find ourselves on Bosham Channel. There’s a pretty view of the church spire in the village of Bosham across the water.

Small sailboats glide up and down the channel as we walk along the mud flats and make our way north around the narrow waterway.

Bosham

After crossing footbridges and fields of flowers, this loveliest of Chichester walks brings us to Bosham.

This coastal village is full of pretty houses with colorful doors. There are thatched roofs everywhere, and I can’t put my camera down as we walk down Bosham Lane.

We stop for lunch at The Anchor Bleu pub in Bosham. It has historic interiors and sunny outdoor tables with a village atmosphere.

Fish and chips are just what I need after a morning of walking on the waterfront, and they set me up well for the second half of our day.

Chichester

After lunch we make our way along more waterways, past nesting swans, and through fields to reach Chichester itself. This city is full of history from Roman times to medieval ones.

Getting into the city itself takes us through a slightly less picturesque landscape than the ones we’ve enjoyed before.

But given Chichester walks have to take one into Chichester, we’re willing to overlook the short span of busy roads and pedestrian overpasses.

When we arrive in Chichester, we know it’s been worth it. We enter the city through the Bishop’s Palace Gardens.

They’re bursting with roses and other blooms, and there are views of crenelated towers and cathedral spires from their flower beds.

We make our way into the city, stopping at Chichester Cathedral and exploring the cloisters as we go.

It’s stunning to see up close, and its mix of Norman and Gothic architecture has us all craning our necks to look up as we approach.

Next to the cathedral is a free-standing medieval bell tower. I’ve never seen anything like it, and its weathered stones are amazing to take in. It’s hard to believe something so old and so tall is still standing.

We spend a bit of time walking through the streets, taking in the colorful shopfronts and ornate 16th-century market cross as we go. Eventually, our loveliest of Chichester walks brings us to the train station for our return to London.

We board a service around 4pm, changing once and arriving back in the UK capital just before 6pm.