Around Chichester Marina.
If you have a mixed ages and abilities group including younger children that want to run, cycle and scoot then follow the Cornerstones to Chichester Marina route. When you reach the Boathouse Café (some members of your group may want to stay here a while) head over the Marina lock and then follow the footpath all the way around the edge of the marina and back. This isn’t a car free route so keep a close eye but it is quiet.
If you want to go back a different way, from the Boathouse turn left at canal then after 20 metres cross the Egremont Bridge over the canal and along Lock Lane until you reach T junction. Turn left and follow for about 1k past the Donkey and ponies on left and back into Birdham Village. Turn right and you will see the Church as you walk around the bend.
Bracklesham Bay.
This wouldn’t be our first choice for a beach however if the wind is blowing and you want to see dramatic waves and surfers then this is the place to go, hold onto your hat. If you look southwest you can see the Isle of Wight or the Spinnaker Tower at Gunwharf Quays Portsmouth. It is a stony beach so good for hearing the roar of the stones moving along the beach at high tide. Billys on the Beach which is in the carpark at Bracklesham Bay beach is a very popular surfy café so book if you would like lunch here!
Breakfast at The Boathouse Café
Open from 8 till late. Licensed and family friendly.
www.idealcollection.co.uk/brands/the-boathouse-chichester
From Cornerstones turn right onto Crooked Lane, then right again and through the Churchyard. As you come out of the Churchyard you will see the village green and village pump opposite, cross the road to the green. Follow Courtbarn Lane which will bear right into Birdham Pool. On warm days the outdoor coffee shop will be open. Follow the road through Birdham Pool which is a mix of traditional and modern boats, one of the only remaining, Tidal Mills in West Sussex. When you reach the little T junction, cross it and follow the little path about 20 metres to a gate. Go through the gate and straight over the drive to pick up the path again left between 2 fences. Another 20 metres and you will reach Chichester Canal. Go over the canal and turn right past the Sailing club and ahead of you amongst the Yacht brokers and shops you will see the Boathouse Café.
Our Favourite Walks from Cornerstones
Birdham to Itchenor.
A 45minute stroll along the harbour to Itchenor which is a little harbour village where you will find The Ship Inn relaxed and great for lunch, www theshipinnitchenor.co.uk and The Quarterdeck Café, great for coffee and snacks.
Alternatively pack a picnic and sit on a bench and watch the boats and the wildlife. From Cornerstones turn right onto Crooked Lane and follow the path up to the junction where you will turn left onto Westlands Lane. Follow Westlands Lane past Hammonds Farm on the left, past Westlands Estate and Greenacres on the right until you reach a concrete farm track. Follow the concrete track for about 250 metres (look right, you can see the harbour) until you reach some gates on the left. DON’T follow the Salterns way for this walk as it is the longer way to Itchenor. Take the right-hand gate and follow the track so that the hedge is on your right. The path will take you slightly right then walk towards the copse. Keeping the copse on your right you will reach a gate, turn left onto the lane. After about 250 metres keep a look out for the footpath sign on the right (its easily missed) leading you along a footpath alongside a brick wall down to the harbour side. Follow harbour path until you reach Itchenor Sailing Club, turn left away from harbour and ahead of you is the pub! The hard is to the right and from there follow the signs to The Quarterdeck Café. Don’t forget that a number of harbour tours depart from the jetty at Itchenor details are available from the conservancy office
Cornerstones to Bosham.
Via Itchenor Ferry.
Take cash. This is a relaxed day out. Amble to Itchenor which will take about 45 minutes where you can stop for refreshments at The Ship Inn, The Quarterdeck cafe or take a picnic. Then take the foot ferry to Bosham and walk another 45 minutes into Bosham village where you will find our favourite little coffee shop called Popin, cafes, The Anchor Bleu pub and a craft centre. The village green is a favourite for picnics and children love to play on the rope swings and in the stream.
The Ferry runs November to March weekends only 1000-1600. April and October weekends only from 0900-1800. From May to September daily 0900-1800.
PLEASE CHECK WEBSITE FOR REGULAR UPDATES!
http://www.itchenorferry.co.uk/
Fares each way per person, Adults £2.50, Children £1.00, Bikes 50p
Dogs go free!
Follow the Cornerstones to Itchenor walk.In Itchenor walk along the jetty to the end and get the ferry from there. If the ferry isn’t in it will be en route. If its very busy it can sometimes take 15 minutes to arrive as it is also a water taxi.The ferry will take you over to Bosham where if the tide is out you can follow the muddy coastal path or, follow the footpath directly up between the trees until you meet Smugglers Lane. Turn left and follow the road all the the way into Bosham. You will first notice the historic Church where King Canute’s daughter is buried at the foot of the chancel steps. It was from Bosham that King Harold set off in 1064 as depicted in the Bayeaux Tapestry. Lots of Roman history too. Give yourself some time in Bosham especially if it is a beautiful day BUT remember the ferry times for your return!
Cornerstones to The Crown and Anchor at Dell Quay
http://www.crownandanchorchichester.com/
Book a table if you want to eat here!
About a 1 hour walk there and an hour back.
Follow the route from Cornerstones to Chichester Marina.When you reach the Boathouse Café, continue on towards the lock and cross the lock gates at the entrance to Chichester Marina onto the other side. Straight ahead you will see a copse and a footpath, take the footpath and bear left keeping along the harbour side. Follow this path all the way as it crosses the fields and eventually you reach the gate onto the road (about 1.5k). Turn left and about 500 metres on you will reach Dell Quay and the popular Crown and Anchor.If you have pushchairs then take the right hand path when you reach the copse, follow through the farmyard, onto the farm road and turn left when you reach the junction. This is longer than the non pushchair route but probably drier, on this route you pass a sign that a famous movie star arrived here during the war and he “didn’t give a damn”!
Crabbing Pool at Snowhill Creek.
Get your crabbing line and bucket from East Wittering toy shop and head to West Wittering. Don’t forget some bait, crabs love bacon, smoked back with rind on! Either follow the path from the beach car park or park in West Wittering if you can find a spot and walk through the Churchyard, over the wall (steps down into field) through field and caravans, right along the lane to Roman Landing which is the big green in front of you. From here bear left and as you reach the water look left and you will see below you the Crabbing Pool.
West Wittering and East Head.
Our award winning Blue Flag Beach.
You can walk or cycle along Salterns Way to West Wittering (if you have brought your bikes) but if you want a day at the beach then pack your car with a picnic or a disposable BBQ. There are some blankets and a cool box in the utility cupboard in the kitchen.From Cornerstones drive 10 minutes to West Wittering and follow the signs to the beach on the left.
A word of warning!
On hot days it can get very busy so set out early for the beach, before 9am or go later in the day after 3pm just as everyone else is leaving!Prices vary and they do accept contactless.
1st November-31st March from £2.00 -£3.50, April and October £3.00-£7.00, High Season £3.50-£8.50. Check prices online at
If you get there early or out of season then drive right to the end of the carpark and walk around East Head (owned by The National Trust) and see the sand dunes the beautiful flora and fauna stunning views and see if you can spot the Skylarks plentiful in the dunes, you can hear them! For us we love to get there early and sit at the far point of East Head when its quiet and on a warm day you will see the boats slowly coming in to picnic on the beautiful beach which changes each tide. It’s so peaceful and magical. Take a flask and enjoy! Our children have loved jumping off the sand dunes and playing hide and seek here.
You cannot swim here the currents are very strong. There is an area on the main beach which is lifeguard patrolled so head there for a dip.
There are ice cream cabins dotted along the carpark as well as a café but it can be busy and is basic.
Don’t forget the buckets, spades and kites!
Cornerstones Birdham 