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A Walker’s Guide - Chichester Harbour A Walker’s Guide - Chichester Harbour

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Directions All the walks were tested in 2007. However, please note that some footpaths may be diverted and buildings such as pubs may have changed their name since the walks were written. If you have any comments please send them to the Harbour Office to be considered for the next edition. Distances and Timings All distances and timings are approximate. Maps The maps provided are a guide and are not to scale. Please use OS Explorer Map 120 (Chichester). • Be safe - plan ahead and follow any signs Even when going out locally, it’s best to get the latest information about where and when Map References you go; for example, your rights to go onto some areas of open land may be restricted The reference given is for the start point of the walk. while work is carried out, for safety reasons or during breeding seasons. Follow advice and local signs, and be prepared for the unexpected. Public Transport Buses: Stagecoach run most of the local buses. Timetable details are at • Leave gates and property as you find them www.stagecoachbus.com/south or telephone 0871 200 22 33 (10p per minute). Please respect the working life of the countryside, as our actions can affect people’s For the Selsey – Itchenor service see www.compass-travel.co.uk livelihoods, our heritage, and the safety and welfare of animals and ourselves. Trains: Timetable information is at www.nationalrail.co.uk or telephone 08457 48 49 50. • Protect plants and animals and take your litter home Stiles and Gates We have a responsibility to protect our countryside, so make sure you don’t harm animals, Please note stiles are gradually being replaced with gates where appropriate. This may affect some birds, plants or trees. of the walk directions and photos. • Keep dogs under control Tides The countryside is a great place to exercise dogs, but it’s every owner’s duty to make Please note some paths are flooded at high tide. If you have misjudged the times, you usually only sure their dog is not a danger or nuisance to farm animals, wildlife or other people. have to wait a short while before the path is clear enough to use. Tide times can be found at www.conservancy.co.uk or from the Harbour Office, please note these are only a prediction and • Consider other people factors such as low pressure can make the tide higher than expected. Showing consideration and respect for other people makes the countryside a pleasant Tourist Information environment for everyone – at home, at work and at leisure. Chichester: www.visitchichester.org or telephone 01243 775888. Hayling Island: www.visithavant.co.uk or telephone 023 9246 7111. Weather Please check the weather before starting your walk and take the appropriate clothing. Weather forecasts can be found at www.conservancy.co.uk or from the local tourist offices. Acknowledgements Images © Aardman Animations Ltd 2004 All walks were written and photographed by Ali Beckett for Chichester Harbour Conservancy. Design work on the book was undertaken by Dan Vear and Graham Martin at Designline. The walks were tested by willing volunteers: Roger & Sheila Bleasby, Stella Briggs, Peter Cameron, Jan Colgate, Rodney & Jackie Dugga, Adrian & Josette Fox, Ken & Margaret Harry, Eric & Christine Hinkley, Ted & Ros Honeyman, Kerry Jackson, Jazmin Kelly, John Kendall, Joan Langhorne, Lesley Mann, Coralie Murphy, Roger Palmer, Patrick Pead, Tony Probert, Jill & Tony Radnor, Sally Rumfitt, Peter & Judy Stern, Peter Taylor, Jim & Ann Tice, Richard Tully, Bill Walker, Colin Webb, Bill Witts. Funding was generously provided by the Friends of Chichester Harbour, Chichester Harbour Trust and Chichester Harbour Sustainable Development Fund. www.conservancy.co.uk6 7 March 2008 Walk 5 - West Wittering to Itchenor Circular Walk 5 - West Wittering to Itchenor Circular

Start Point 5 7.5km/4.5 miles 2.5 hours Map Ref. SZ 780 985 - Ordnance Survey Explorer 120 Old House at Home pub, Pound Road, West Wittering. By Road Take the A286 towards Witterings and follow signs for West Wittering Beach. Park in Rookwood Road Walk 5 1 near the Old House at Home pub. West Wittering to By Bus Service 52 or 53 Chichester to the Witterings. Bus stops on both sides of the road near the Old House at Home. Itchenor Circular Refreshments Old House at Home, West Wittering. The Beach House restaurant, This walk starts in the pretty village of West Wittering, Rookwood Road or if you take the extended walk The Ship Inn, Itchenor. following a little used lane down to the shoreline. From Toilets In Pound Road, West Wittering. the shoreside footpath there are fine views across to Tides 2 Bosham and the South Downs. The second half of the The path between points 2 and 3 floods if the tide is higher than 4.5m. walk passes through a farm and across fields to Start the walk at least an hour before or after high tide. complete the circuit. The walk is 7.5km or if you take Walk Directions From the Old House at Home in Rookwood Road, look for the large brown the extended route into Itchenor it is 8.5km. signs to West Wittering Beach on the corner of Pound Road. Turn into Pound Road and take the first right – Ellanore Lane 1 . This is a little used lane which leads down to the shoreline.

Footpath Walk Route 4 5 Extended Route Bus Stop

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1 www.conservancy.co.uk24 25 March 2008 Walk 5 - West Wittering to Itchenor Circular Walk 5 - West Wittering to Itchenor Circular

5 Extra Items of At the end of the lane go through the gate 2 Just before you reach the Interest straight ahead of you and bear right onto the farm buildings, turn right shoreline path. The path is a bit uneven at first following the footpath over a Saltmarsh but soon flattens out. stile, with a low cobbled If you are walking with the barn on your left. The path tide partially out you will see After a while the path turns inland, then left then bears left through a saltmarsh especially when through a small area of housing. Look out for gap in the wall. Turn right you first come onto the the footpath sign next to a private driveway 3 here and then left at the shoreline from Ellanore Lane. that takes you back to the shoreline. crossroads. Saltmarsh is found on the 3 Just before the white gates upper part of the intertidal Continue along the path, looking out for Bosham turn right to pick up the area. It is made up of plants Church in the distance. Eventually you will pass a pond on your right – footpath 5 . If you reach the that can cope with being Horse Pond. Keep going for a few more minutes, as you come into a village hall you have gone too far. regularly under saltwater. wooded area, take the footpath to your right 4 . Different types of plants grow Follow this path across fields until you at different levels. Nearer the reach the farm road. The path to your left is deepwater channel there is Extended Route the Salterns Way cycle route. Glasswort and Common If you want to continue into Itchenor then instead of turning right keep Cordgrass. Towards the land, following the shoreline, crossing Northshore Boatyard and then coming out Saltmarsh Grass and the by the Harbour Office. Turn right up the road, passing The Ship Inn. purple flowered Thrift and Sea Continue up the road, watching out for traffic. Turn right through the white Lavender grow. The saltmarsh gates, just before the village hall, then take the footpath immediately to is at its most colourful your left. Continue the route from point 5. between June–August.

Measured Half Mile At the end of the path, cross a stile and bear left up the track which Walking along the shore look becomes a concrete road. out for two tall posts in the water with a cross on top. These are one end of the ‘measured half mile’. Out of season, motorboats can get permission to test their engines in this area of the Cross over the farm road and follow the footpath over two harbour. When they line up fields, this section can be very muddy, until you come out the crosses on the two posts onto Sheepwash Lane 6 . Turn right and keep going until you they are at the start of the come to Rookwood Road. Note this section of Sheepwash half mile which finishes when Lane is shared with the Salterns Way cycle route. they pass the second set of lined up posts. At Rookwood Road turn right. If you are getting the bus back, you will shortly see bus stops on both sides of the road. If not continue along, taking care as it can be a busy road. You will pass some shops and the village hall and then you are back at your car.