10 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
- 2. Fishbourne and Bosham Circular walk
- 3. Itchenor Circular walk
- 4. The Royal Oak, East Lavant and Saint Roches Hill walk
- 5. Pagham Harbour and Sidlesham Quay walk
- 6. Kingley Vale Nature Reserve (Devil’s Humps loop)
- 7. Centurion Way (Chichester to Lavant to West Dean)
- 8. West Wittering Beach and East Head
- 9. Thorney Island Circular (from Emsworth)
- 10. Chichester Marina to Dell Quay (figure-of-eight)
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.
6. Kingley Vale Nature Reserve (Devil’s Humps loop)
Distance: 3.6 miles
Terrain: moderate
With spectacular views over the fields to the sea, ancient yew trees, and a frog-filled pond, this is a walk to stretch both the legs and the imagination. Start at the car park on Downs Road (West Stoke), then follow the level path into the nature reserve and up to the enchanting yew tree forest. Some of the fantastically twisted trees here may be up to 2000 years old.
It’s worth wearing proper walking shoes because the chalk and woodland paths can get slippery after rain. There aren’t any toilets or cafés in the reserve, so bring water and snacks if you’re making a morning of it. Keep dogs close to you on the open hillside, especially if there are grazing animals about.
Following well-marked paths, you’ll pass a pond where frogs live and a grove of younger yew trees then emerge on the hilltop to an incredible view down to Chichester Harbour. The “Devil’s Humps” are a set of Bronze Age burial mounds that the kids will love running up and down while taking in the scenic South Downs.
7. Centurion Way (Chichester to Lavant to West Dean)
Distance: 5.5 miles
Terrain: easy
Following the route of a dismantled railway line between Chichester and Midhurst, this walk is an easy and level five-miler, suitable for both walkers and cyclists.
Start at the entrance by Bishop Luffa School in Westgate, Chichester, then walk north along the path via Lavant to West Dean, where this route finishes. There’s a bus which runs every 20 minutes to take you back to the start.
The Way is named after the Romans, who built a road which intersects with the route (look out for the quirky metal sculptures made from gas cylinders that mark the crossing point). Passing through rolling downs, tree-lined avenues and old railway tunnels, the Way is a journey through Britain’s Roman and industrial past.
8. West Wittering Beach and East Head
Distance: 4 miles
Terrain: moderate
At the mouth of the Chichester Channel is the picturesque West Wittering village and beach, just a 25-minute drive from Haven’s Church Farm Holiday Park. Miles of golden sand, rolling surf, plus dunes to leap around in might encourage you to linger.
However, the four-mile walk to East Head is well worth it. It’s a route best attempted at low tide, so do check the tide times before you set off so you don’t get caught out on the narrower stretches of sand. On windy days it can feel much colder on the exposed shoreline, even in summer, so a light layer helps. Try to stick to the marked paths over the dunes and avoid any roped-off areas that protect fragile habitat and nesting birds.
Birdwatchers can look out for migratory species in the winter, including Brent geese, sanderlings wading along the water’s edge, and flocks of dunlins on the shingle. The salt marshes are a haven for waterfowl too. From the tip of East Head you’ll even have a great view of sailboats gliding in and out of Chichester Harbour.
9. Thorney Island Circular (from Emsworth)
Distance: 8.5 miles
Terrain: moderate
If you’re looking for a longer full-day walk and have the energy, this route circuits Thorney Island to the west of Chichester Harbour. With stunning sea views all round and a moderately challenging route, it’s best attempted in fair weather. There’s no easy short-cut, so turn back in the first three miles if the weather turns.
Starting at the pretty estuary village of Emsworth, walk south past the Lord Raglan pub and through Chequers Quay. Head through the boat yard and past the unique stilt houses and follow the shoreline path. The island is owned by the Ministry of Defence, but don’t be put off by the security gate that will greet you – public access is almost always granted. Press the buzzer and you’ll be let through. Stick to the path as you circuit the island.
Highlights include the 13th-century church of St Nicholas, whose graveyard contains the resting places of both British and German soldiers who died here during World War II. You’ll also pass a hide for birdwatching and sometimes communities of harbour seals basking on the mudflats at low tide.
10. Chichester Marina to Dell Quay (figure-of-eight)
Distance: 4.5 miles
Terrain: easy
Chichester Marina is one of Britain’s largest: home to over 1000 boats at its busiest, it’s a great place for yacht spotting. It’s also home to an easy looping walk that takes in reed beds, the ancient woodland of Saltern’s Copse, and Chichester Canal.
Begin at the free visitors car park for Chichester Marina at Birdham. Then walk west along the north side of the Marina as far as Saltern’s Copse. Take the left fork to hug the shoreline to the village of Dell Quay. The Crown and Anchor pub is a great place to stop for a bite to eat before heading east and south along the Saltern Way cycle route.
You’ll pass the historical site of Apuldram Airfield, where up to 2000 RAF fighter pilots plus Czech and Polish soldiers were stationed during WWII. Look out for reed buntings and reed warblers on the saltmarsh, and Chichester Canal, which opened in 1823 to carry cargo between London and Portsmouth. The terrain throughout is easy and the paths are well-marked and dog-friendly.
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Important information
Terms and conditions
New holiday homes from £29,995 – UPDATED 22 January 2026
Holiday home price is based on a new 3-bedroom ABI New Horizon holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
As at 22 January 2026, price is available at the following parks: Blue Dolphin, Cardigan View, Church Farm, Cleethorpes Beach, Combe Haven, Craig Tara, Doniford Bay, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Golden Sands, Greenacres, Hafan Y Mor, Haggerston Castle, Lakeland, Littlesea, Marton Mere, Orchards, Presthaven, Primrose Valley, Quay West, Reighton Sands, Rockley Park, Skegness, Thornwick Bay, Wild Duck and Weymouth Bay. Price can be withdrawn at any time.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Price excludes 2026 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability. 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.
Pre-owned holiday homes from £14,995 – UPDATED 22 January 2026
As at 22 January 2026, price is available at the following parks: Blue Dolphin, Cardigan View, Church Farm, Cleethorpes Beach, Combe Haven, Craig Tara, Doniford Bay, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Golden Sands, Greenacres, Hafan Y Mor, Haggerston Castle, Lakeland, Littlesea, Marton Mere, Orchards, Presthaven, Primrose Valley, Quay West, Reighton Sands, Rockley Park, Skegness, Thornwick Bay, Wild Duck and Weymouth Bay. Price can be withdrawn at any time.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Price excludes 2026 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability. 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.
Holiday home price is based on a new 3-bedroom ABI New Horizon holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
As at 22 January 2026, price is available at the following parks: Blue Dolphin, Cardigan View, Church Farm, Cleethorpes Beach, Combe Haven, Craig Tara, Doniford Bay, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Golden Sands, Greenacres, Hafan Y Mor, Haggerston Castle, Lakeland, Littlesea, Marton Mere, Orchards, Presthaven, Primrose Valley, Quay West, Reighton Sands, Rockley Park, Skegness, Thornwick Bay, Wild Duck and Weymouth Bay. Price can be withdrawn at any time.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Price excludes 2026 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability. 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.
Let2offset - make no site fee payments until 2032
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 until 2032 when using Let2offset’ 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 until 2032 when using Let2offset” is applicable to new and existing customer purchases of new Victory Ashberry 3 Bed or equivalent 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. An example of how “Make no site fee payments until 2032 when using Let2offset” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of a Victory Ashberry 3 Bed holiday home at Seton Sands with a monthly site fee of £667.08 (includes purchasing discount of £17.08) and monthly letting income of £673.17. The monthly difference equates to £23.17, which will be credited to the owner's account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and inflation. The monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2025 figures. Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Victory Ashberry 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 as of 2024. 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.
Move your caravan to Haven for free - full terms and conditions
This offer is available for holiday home owners not located at a Haven park and that want to relocate their holiday home from their current holiday park a Haven holiday park, subject to pitch availability and the satisfactory completion of our standard onboarding checks. It cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, discount or promotion, apart from the free 2026 site fee promotion if applicable to the Haven park. Haven reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time without notice.
In order to be eligible to participate in the offer, your holiday home must be situated within a 50-mile radius of the Haven park that you wish to relocate to. The holiday home must be no more than 15 years old from the date of manufacture and if it has been purchased under a finance agreement, the holiday homeowner must provide confirmation from their lender that the holiday home can be moved to the Haven park.
Haven will transport your holiday home from the entrance of its current holiday park location to the required Haven park and will reimburse your transportation costs up-to a maximum value of £750; any excess must be paid by the holiday homeowner. Haven does not accept any responsibility for any damage that happens to the interior of your holiday home whilst it is being transported to one of our holiday parks. We recommend your holiday home is fully packed down and ready for transportation. Transportation does not include decking. Any decking bought onto a Haven park must be approved by the General Manager of that park to ensure it meets Haven standards. Siting and connection costs for your holiday home on a Haven park will be paid for by Haven. Offer excludes payment of holiday home disconnection at your current park and transportation costs from its current pitch to the entrance of its current park.
Subject to availability and status. Deposit required. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer, discount, or promotion. Access to your holiday home is subject to park opening times. Images are shown for representational purposes. 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.