Thorney Island Circular - Clockwise – 10 miles (Start point SU748063) Parking in Emsworth
Jutting out into Chichester harbour, Thorney Island was used as an R.A.F. Station until 1976. It has thus remained remote and free from commercial development. The southern part of the island is still MOD property but pedestrian access is allowed on the perimeter path. This shoreline path offers fine views over the harbour and the vast number of sea birds which congregate there. The county boundary between Hampshire and West Sussex runs along the centre of the channel between Thorney Island and Hayling Island. Choose a fine day if you can for this section as it can be exposed on the island.
The walk starts at Emsworth Station (SU748063). Walk away from the station buildings half left to reach the main road.
Cross the road and turn right along North Street for approx. 40 yds and then turn left down Seagull Lane. Keep ahead to the end of the road and turn left onto an enclosed path.
Go under the railway bridge and through a gap at a gate and at the fenced Lumley Path Gas Valve installation turn right onto an enclosed path.
Follow the path over a footbridge crossing a stream to reach a road (Lumley road).
Turn right along the road, passing under a railway bridge, for approx. ½ mile to reach a T-junction at the A259. ,
Cross the road and turn left to find Slipper Road approx. 75 yards on the right.
Walk south away from the A259 down Slipper Road with Slipper Mill Pond on the right to reach Slipper Mill (originally a tide mill, now converted into apartment) on the right.
Go ahead through a gap in the boundary fence and through the boatyard, keeping the Marina basins immediately on the right and passing a cafe and boathouses on the left.
Shortly after passing the café, turn right and continue passing deckhouses on the right to the Marina access road. (Note that it is at this point that the clockwise circuit of the island you are following diverges from the anti-clockwise circuit, which turns to the right at this point.)
Continue straight ahead with trees on the left and more 'deckhouses' on stilts on the right.
In about 150 yards, just before end of deckhouses, look for a stile on the left and a signed path.
Take this path across the middle of the field to reach the road.
Take narrow enclosed path opposite which opens out into a field.
Go ahead in the same direction to reach Thornham House.
Continue eastwards on access drive to tarmac drive, passing between two brick pillars and in 200 yards, where the lane from Prinsted joins, turn right on the footpath along edge of water (Chichester Harbour).
Pass straight through Marina area on narrow ‘gangway’ bridges and then continue ahead over a substantial footbridge to reach Prinsted Point (bench seat).
Follow path on top of bank to reach the MOD gate.
Press the button and give details as requested and the gate will be opened to provide access to the continuation of path.
Follow the path on top of the seawall, passing round Stanbury Point.
At the slipway at the yachting area, use steps up wall to reach the churchyard of West Thorney church.
Follow tarmac path through churchyard towards the Yacht Club premises.
In front of the Yacht Club, turn right on the road for 30 yards, then left to regain the path on the seawall.
After a narrow section, continue ahead on an easy path and pass through a ‘bushy’ area.
At end of bushes, when the southern tip of the island is in sight ahead, bear right with path and continue on the bank to reach a lookout point/hide ahead.
Even at high tide, there is a little beach here and this makes a delightful spot for a picnic stop, with lovely views of Chichester Harbour and Hayling Island.
Continue on the path, which soon becomes a gravel track, along the south-west edge of the island.
Where the track forks, keep left on a lesser path to stay in the bushy area, close to the water’s edge.
Emerge from the bushy area onto a grassy patch with seats (another fine spot for a rest!) and then follow the grassy edge to Marker Point.
Follow the path as it swings sharp right around the point with Hayling Island across the water to the left.
Stay with this delightful path as it tracks around the edge of three bays, with scrubby pasture on the landward side, finally reaching a wooden kissing gate.
Beyond the gate, come to another MOD gate – repeat the earlier procedure and you will be ‘let out’ – hopefully!
Carry on atop a high bank, with the Great Deep, which makes Thorney Island an island, to the right, to reach the deckhouses again – pass in front of them to arrive at Emsworth Yacht Harbour.
Go through the gate and turn right to follow the shingle car park area.
Pass the end of two Marina basins and then turn left about 30 yards before reaching the outward path.
Pass in front of more deckhouses, then to the left of the boatyard buildings.
Go ahead (possibly passing under a giant mobile boat lift) to a gap in the boundary fence ahead.
Continue ahead to pass the Slipper Mill on the left and continue ahead along Slipper Road to reach the A259.
Cross the road and turn left for approx. 40 yds and then turn right along Lumley Road on the east bank of Emsworth Creek.
Where this road becomes a private drive at 'Lumley Millhouse', turn left over footbridge crossing a stream and continue on the enclosed path.
At a T-junction by the Gas valve installation turn left along a path, passing through a gap at a gate and under the railway bridge to reach a road (Seagull Lane).
Turn right along the road to reach a cross roads.
Turn right along North Street for approx. 40 yds and cross over the road and take the access road to arrive at Emsworth Station.