Attractions in and around Bosham, Chichester & West Wittering

Amberley Museum is a 36 acre open-air site dedicated to preserving the industrial heritage of the south east. Exhibits include a narrow-gauge railway and vintage bus collection (both of which provide free transport around the site). The Electricity Hall, a Printing Workshop and a roadmakers' exhibition. The museum is also home to traditional craftsmen, such as the broom-maker, blacksmith, walking stick maker and potter. Our new Connected Earth exhibition hall opens this summer.

We are open from 14 February to 1 November 2009 Tuesday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays.

Prices

Adults - £9.30
Sen Citizens & Students - £8.30
Children (5-16yrs) - £5.80
Children under 5yrs - free
Family (2 + 3) - £26.50
Opening details
Season Dates and Opening Hours Season Dates Opening Hours
Sat 14 Feb 2009 - Sun 1 Nov 2009 Tue - Sun 10:00 to 17:30

Easter Monday, May Day BH, Spring BH Mon, Summer BH Mon 10:00 to 17:30
Notes Last admission16.30
Also open Bank Holidays during season.

We personally reccomend this Restaurant/Pub, afterall we have the local knowledge to steer you in the right direction.

The seat of The Dukes of Norfolk and set in 40 acres of sweeping grounds and gardens, Arundel Castle has been open to visitors seasonally for nearly 200 years. It is one of the Treasure Houses of England, each having its own unique place in history and is home to priceless works of art. Arundel Castle is only 13 miles from Chichester.

If you require any further information please email: info@arundelcastle.org or telephone 01903 88217

One of the largest villas to be open to the public in Great Britain, with some of the finest mosaics all in situ and all under cover, including Medusa, Venus and Cupid gladiators, and Ganymede.

Discovered in 1811 and open to the public since 1814. See the longest mosaic on display in Great Britain at 24 metres. Walk on original floors dating back to around 350AD. We have a small café and picnic area available. No dogs.

OPEN Mar and Apr Tues to Sun and Bank Hol Mons 10am-5pm; May and Oct daily 10am-5pm; June to Sept daily 10am-6pm. Tel: 01798 869259. Email: enquiries@bignorromanvilla.co.uk

Take a trip through the world of The Body Shop aboard an energy-efficient buggy guided on the way through each area, explaining how the products are made, bottled and stored. The tour lasts a little over an hour during which time you'll hear tales of trading with indigenous peoples and a few of Anita Roddick's anecdotes of trips in search of ingredients.

Features: Guided Tour, Trading Post, Snack & Juice Bar.

Location: Contact The Body Shop for further details as all bookings must be made in advance!

Watersmead Business Park
Littlehampton
West Sussex
BN17 6LS

Tel: 0800 096 0809

Described as 'One of the country's truly great gardens' by Country Life magazine, Borde Hill is more than just a beautiful and historic garden. It not only boasts outstanding views across 200 acres of Grade 11* listed parkland and woodland, but also a nationally important collection of fine trees and shrubs, including 80 'champion' trees. The formal garden is planted as distinctive 'rooms', each offering an abundance of colour and interest throughout the seasons.

Explore the adventure playground, relax with a picnic by the lakes, enjoy delicious home cooked food at Cafe Elvira, a gourmet meal at Jeremy’s Restaurant or choose a special gift from Green Tree Gallery - there is so much to make a great family day out at Borde Hill Garden! One of the 5 Great Gardens of Sussex and one of the premier plant collections in the South East of England.

King Canute of Bosham (Born circa AD 994 - died 12th November 1035)
Legend of the waves

King Canute is best remembered for the story of how he commanded the waves to go back in Bosham. According to oral tradition, he grew tired of flattery by the locals. "You are the greatest man that ever lived," one would say. "O king, there can never be another as mighty as you," another would say. "Great Canute, you are the monarch of all, nothing in this world would dare to disobey you." When one such flatterer said the king could command the obedience of the sea, the King proved him wrong by practical demonstration on the foreshore.

"Let all men know how empty and worthless is the power of kings. For there is none worthy of the name but God, whom heaven, earth and sea obey".

So spoke the King, seated on his throne with the waves lapping around his feet. "Go back, sea!" he commanded time and again, but the tide continued as expected. Canute put it to his courtiers that the sea was not obeying him and insisted they stay there until they admitted it.

Born the son of King Sweyn (Svein) Forkbeard of Denmark and the daughter of Mieszko I of Poland, his grandfather was Harold Bluetooth and his great-grandfather King Gorm. At the height of his reign King Canute was ruler of an empire that included England, Denmark, Norway and parts of Sweden.

In August 1013 he accompanied his father as a young Viking warrior on their invasion of England. He was initially put in charge of the Danish army at Gainsborough and, on the death of his father the following February, they proclaimed him king. However, the body of ruling magnates (politicians) refused to accept him and voted instead for Ethelred the Unready who at that time was in exile in Normandy. Ethelred raised an army, defeated Canute and forced him to sail back to Denmark with what remained of his own defeated army.

Meanwhile back in Denmark Canute’s older brother Harold had become King of Denmark. Canute had suggested that the two brothers should jointly rule the Kingdom. However, Harold didn't like the idea and instead promised to support him in a conquest of England if he would renounce his rights to the Danish throne.
The Conquest of England.

Canute returned to England in the summer of 1015 with a Danish force of approximately 10,000 men. They landed in Bosham and executed Earl Uhtred for breaking an oath pledged to Canute's father two years earlier. In April 1016, Canute took his fleet up the Thames and besieged London. King Ethelred died during the siege, and his son Edmund Ironside was proclaimed king.

When Edmund left London to raise an army in the countryside, he was intercepted by Canute at Ashingdon, Essex. After a decisive victory, meeting on an island in the Severn River, Canute and Edmund agreed to divide the kingdom, but Edmund died suddenly, leaving Canute as sole ruler.

At first Canute used harsh measures: he had prominent English rivals outlawed or killed, engineered the death of Edmund Ironside's brother, and pursued Edmund's children until they fled to safety in Hungary. But within a few years he evolved a more even-handed policy, and he allowed more Englishmen into positions of power. His reign proved stable, peaceful and prosperous, and the power base he developed in England helped him pursue claims in Denmark and Norway.

Canute reinstated the laws passed under King Edgar, reformed the existing laws and initiated a new series of laws and proclamations. Two significant ones were On Heriots and Reliefs, and Inheritance in Case of Intestacy. He strengthened the coinage system, and initiated a series of new coins which would be of equal weight as those being used in Denmark and other parts of Scandinavia. This greatly improved the trade of England, whose economy was in turmoil following years of social disorder. In part this success was what lead many to praise him so highly.

In order to associate his line with the overthrown English dynasty and to insure himself against attack from Normandy where Ethelred's sons Edward the Confessor and Alfred Atheling were in exile, Canute married Ethelred's widow Emma of Normandy, daughter of Richard the Fearless, Duke of Normandy in July 1017. He proclaimed their son Harthacanute as heir in preference to Harold, his illegitimate son by Aelgifu of Northampton.

By dividing the country into four great earldoms; Wessex, Mercia, East Anglia and Northumbria, he instituted the system of territorial lordships which would underlie English government for centuries. The very last Danegeld ever paid, a sum of £82,500, went to Canute in 1018. He felt secure enough to send the invasion fleet back to Denmark with £72,000 that same year.

He repaired the churches and monasteries that were looted by his army and he constructed new ones. He became a big patron of the monastic reform, which was popular among the ecclesiastical and secular population. The most generous contribution he is remembered for is the impressive gifts and relics that he bestowed upon the English Church.

Canute’s pilgrimage to Rome in 1027 was another sign of his devotion to the Christian faith. It is still debated whether he went to repent his sins, or to attend Emperor Conrad II’s coronation in order to improve relations between the two powers. While in Rome, Canute obtained the agreement from the Pope to reduce the fees paid by the English archbishops to receive their pallium. He also arranged with other Christian leaders that the English pilgrims should pay reduced or no toll tax on their way, and that they would be safeguarded on their way to Rome.

In 1028, Canute conquered Norway with a fleet of fifty ships from England. At an assembly at Trondheim, he was officially crowned King. His new title was “King of all England and of Denmark, Norway and part of Sweden”. His attempt to govern Norway through Aelgifu (his concubine) and his other son by her, Sweyn, ended in rebellion and the restoration of the former Norwegian dynasty under Magnus I.

Canute died on the 12th November 1035, at Shaftesbury in Dorset, and was buried in the Old Minster in Winchester. On his death, Canute was succeeded in Denmark by Harthacanute, reigning as Canute III. Harold took power in England, however, ruling until his death (1040), whereupon the two crowns were again briefly reunited under Harthacanute.

Just a short walk away from The Boathouse is historic Bosham Church.

One of the most famous Saxon churches in Sussex, Bosham stands in a dramatic location overlooking Bosham Creek, an offshoot of Chichester Harbour. The tower is Saxon, with unmistakable late tenth century windows on the exterior. These take the form of a double opening with central dividing pillar,the arches of which have semicircular headed openings.

Inside the church the east wall of the tower displays an over-restored Saxon doorway with a triangular headed opening (formerly a doorway to a gallery) above. The chancel arch, too, is Saxon, its tall round headed arch with plain square slabs as capitals similar to that at Stoughton Church a few miles to the north. At the south-east corner of the south aisle is a rare crypt dating from the thirteenth century. Like many crypts in our greater churches it is built partly above ground level, creating a very strange appearance from the body of the Church.

The nave has three circular windows of Saxon date showing that the walls here are also Saxon, although they were pierces by the present north and south arcades at a later date. Bosham Church appears on the Bayeaux Tapestry in the scene where Harold leaves England to travel to Normandy, stopping to pray in Bosham Church en route. It is also traditionally the burial place of King Canute's daughter, and the King himself may have been responsible for building the Saxon features that visitors so enjoy seeing today.

Bosham Walk has many crafts, artwork and antiques in 20 separate units, a gallery and various display cabinets throughout the two floors of our converted boathouse.
To find out more about Bosham Walk and the surrounding area please follow the links. Meet the many crafts people and artists whose work is displayed for sale within Bosham Walk.
Find out some of the reasons why Bosham is a great place to visit.
Bosham has various places of historic interest and has been associated with many famous people.
Bosham Walk Art & Craft Centre is situated in the picturesque village of Old Bosham in West Sussex, England. The village itself is a small fishing and sailing village on one of the creeks of Chichester Harbour, it has a quaint old Saxon church and still retains its old Quay and Watermill.
The Craft Centre has 17 small shops of individual crafts on two floors. The ground floor is similar to an old style shopping street with flag stone floors, there are olde world wooden beams and the shops are finished in keeping with the surroundings. On this floor also, are glass cabinets with many more interesting crafts displayed.
There are many more shops on the first floor and a light and airy gallery with a variety of paintings by local artists.
Many of the shops are working studios where the artists and crafts people are happy to discuss what they are making.
The whole Walk is under one roof in a building which was originally, many years ago, a boathouse.
An Amazing Bead Shop
Bosham House of Fudge Confectionary, gifts and Jersey ice cream
Canute Antiques Silver Items, Jewellery & Porcelain
The Clock Shop Antique & Modern Clock and Watch Repairs and Sales
Display Cabinets Varied crafts in cabinets
French Knot Studio creative textile supplies
John & Chris Letts Contemporary and Traditional Figure Sculpture
Just Dough Initials & Character Figures
Nirvana Chairs Chairs Built by Local Craftsmen
Marina's Art & Picture Framing Marine paintings by Ken Hammond
Moments in Time Photography and local art
Téjo Silver Jewellrey
Panache Ladies Fashion Boutique
Rosie Morgan Portrait Artist
Treasures Bosham Souvenirs, Greetings Cards, Jewellery and Gifts
World of Wood Handmade Wooden Crafts, Educational & Traditional Toys

Captain's Table Tea Room
Graham & Ted and their staff welcome you to our cosy Tea Room to sample our superb homemade cream teas, scones and cakes, light lunches and delicious homemade soups.
A friendly welcome awaits you.

In order to carry out major restoration work on Boxgrove Priory Church we shall be closing for a period beginning on 24 November 2008. The building will remain closed until September 2009.

Although the closure itself is regrettable, all of us at the Priory are looking forward to seeing the work, which has been many years in the planning, brought to a fruitful conclusion.

We are, of course, continuing to live and function as the Church – the people of God. We will be using the Saint Blaise Centre (near the Priory Church) for our weekday services and for the 8.00am and 11.15am Sunday services. The Sunday 9.30am service will be held in the Chapel of the Ascension at the University of Chichester, by kind permission of the Vice-Chancellor of the University and the Governors. Other special services will be held as advertised here on our website.

If you are researching ancestors and / or tracing your family tree for post 1900 relatives it may help to start here.

The Bosham Burial Ground lies adjacent to Fairfield Road and the footpath which runs from the Berkeley Arms to The Drive. It may be used by all the residents of the parish and by those who have connections with the village, whether they be Christians, members of another faith, or adherents of none.

When Holy Trinity Churchyard was closed in 1902 Lord Gifford, Lord of the Manor, gave the land for the Burial Ground to the Church and this is managed on its behalf by the committee of the Bosham Burial Ground Association. Membership of the Association is open to individuals and corporate groups who are interested in the upkeep of the Burial Ground and willing to contribute financially on an annual basis. Bosham Parish Council,Bosham Association and the Roman Catholic Church are all corporate members. The annual subscription for individuals is £10 and as the Association is a charity, individual members who pay tax are encouraged to use gift aid for their subscriptions and donations.

Further information may be obtained from: The Secretary, Bosham Burial Ground Association, Critchfield Cottage, Viking Way, Bosham, Chichester. West Sussex, PO18 8HN

Burpham is built on the site of a Saxon fortified 'Burgh' which overlooks the valley of the River Arun. The church is built of local flint rubble and the lower courses of its roof are of Horsham Slab. The south side of the tower displays some prominent 'putlog' holes. These were the holes left when the original wooden scaffolding poles that had been built into the wall were removed. They were often left open to allow repairs to be carried out at a later date.

The building is of Saxon origin, although its best known feature is the wonderful Norman arch that leads into the south transept. It has a deeply carved chevron design and dates from the twelfth century. The transept itself was rebuilt in the nineteenth century. The chancel has a vaulted ceiling and dates from the thirteenth century and leans slightly to the south. This feature, often known as a 'weeping chancel' and supposed to represent Christ's head on the Cross, is actually a common example of medieval building error.

Churches were always aligned to the East and depending on the time of the year when each part of the building was started, the position of the sun as it rose determined the angle of construction, sometimes leaving separate parts of the building out of alignment.

If stone could speak this tiny church would have many tales to tell. Built in the late eleventh century it has always served a small population, although the converted mansion house nearby has increased the number of people who live in the area considerably.

The church is a small two-cell building of just nave and chancel with a tiny stone tower built over the western end of the nave. The interior contains a host of memorable furnishings. There is a very good mural painting of the Royal Arms of King Charles I dated 1636 with the text 'Obey them that have the Rule over you'. Another wall painting on the splay of a north window represents St. Uncumber a popular medieval saint with wives who had got tired of their husbands! Her legend tells us that when she was forced to marry a man against her will she prayed about it and sprouted a massive beard which put her husband to be off the idea. Her father, disappointed that this marriage would not now take place, put her to death!

Dividing the nave from the chancel is a medieval Rood Screen that not only retains its original loft, but also substantial remains of its medieval paintwork. Rood Screens and Lofts were declared illegal as part of the Reformation and whilst many disappeared altogether, some survived with a few, such as this, retaining its loft. There are many monuments in the church including the Goring tomb of 1558 which displays a monumental brass together with brass tablets under a fine gothic canopy. The church was restored by Mr Henry Goring his descendant, in the 1950s.

The grounds of Cass Sculpture Foundation, a registered charity, set in ancient woodland on the Sussex Downs, a perfect setting for those wishing to experience the best outdoor sculpture from today’s leading British artists. Enjoy over 70 specially commissioned monumental sculptures from innovative British artists such as Anthony Caro, Thomas Heatherwick, David Mach, Douglas White, Billy Lee and Gavin Turk set in 24 acres of truly idyllic land. It is a unique and unrivalled experience guaranteed to take your breath away. The regularly changing displays set sensitively in magical surrounding ensure a truly unforgettable visit. All sculptures are available to buy to provide funding for new commissions. Over the pat 14 years the Foundation has commissioned more than 160 monumental sculptures from over 120 British artists. The displays regularly change as work moves to new homes, nationally and internationally. The Cass Sculpture Foundation is recognised internationally as the home of 21stC British sculpture. In our visitor gallery you will see over 100 small and mid-scale sculptures for sale. You can also buy all our books here or shop on our website. The new 500m2 Foundation Centre on site, designed by award-winning architects Studio Downie, houses a unique and fast evolving archive and library charting the development of 21stC British sculpture. The archive houses and extensive and continually growing collection of artists’ drawings, maquettes, videos and other source material, including work by renowned sculptors Sir Anthony Caro, Antony Gormley, Tjomas Heatherwick, Andy Goldsworthy and Tony Cragg. The Centre is available for private hire, visits by appointment to Kate Simms on 01243 538499.

Prices

Adult £10.00
Child 5 - 10yrs £5.00
Children under 5yrs go free - unless part of a school group
Opening details
Season Dates and Opening Hours Season Dates Opening Hours
Sat 4 Apr 2009 - Sun 1 Nov 2009 Tue - Sun 10:30 to 17:30

Easter Monday, May Day BH, Spring BH Mon, Summer BH Mon 10:30 to 17:00
Notes Last entry 16.00

Welcome to Chichester - an exclusive blend of cosmopolitan city, contrasting coast and picturesque countryside. Brimming with arts and culture and steeped in two thousand years of history, the cathedral city of Chichester is situated between two 'Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty', the gorgeous rolling hills of the South Downs and the seclusion and tranquillity of Chichester harbour

Cosmopolitan but intimate, traditional but quirky, fashionable but cultural, Chichester is made for exploring. There’s history on every corner, from the Roman Walls and the Tudor Market Cross to the Georgian terraces and the 12th century cathedral. But Chichester does modern too – with lifestyle boutique shops offering designer labels, organic luxury chocolates and delicious French pastries – a haven for any ‘professional shopper’, plus there are stylish restaurants, organic cafés and gastro pubs. See new drama and old favourites at the internationally acclaimed Chichester Festival Theatre, and an eclectic programme of music and arts at festivals and concerts throughout the district.

For 900 years Chichester Cathedral has welcomed visitors through its doors – worshippers, seekers, tourists, people of all faiths and none.

2008 is a special year for Chichester Cathedral. This year, it is exactly 900 years since this magnificent Cathedral was consecrated and set apart as a sacred space. During 2008, we are also remembering Chichester's Bishop George Bell, 1883-1958, who died 50 years ago and is famous worldwide for his life's work.

We have many special events planned to celebrate these two unique anniversaries and you are warmly invited to join us.

Whoever and wherever you may be, welcome to Chichester Cathedral.

Positioned in the beautiful surroundings of Oaklands Park, Chichester Festival Theatre is one of the United Kingdom's flagship theatres, with a dazzling international reputation for producing a wide range of theatrical productions, from musicals and comedies, to classic drama and innovative new writing.

Nowadays, the complex consists of the two theatres; the Festival Theatre and the Minerva Theatre.

The Minerva is a smaller studio theatre which sits alongside the newly refurbished restaurant - The Brasserie in the Park and The Upstairs Bar. This is where you can enjoy pre- and post-show refreshments from breakfast to dinner to snacks.

The list of actors who have appeared at the Theatre reads like a theatrical Who's Who: among the long list of names are such as Laurence Olivier himself, Alan Bates, Stephanie Beacham, Alan Bennett, Ingrid Bergman, Kenneth Branagh, Tony Britton, Dora Bryan, Leslie Caron, Joan Collins, Julie Christie, Judi Dench, Edith Evans, Dawn French, Alec Guinness, John Gielgud, Anthony Hopkins, Alan Howard, Derek Jacobi, Penelope Keith, Maureen Lipman, Alec McCowen, Leo McKern, Ian McShane, Leslie Phillips, Joan Plowright, Diana Rigg, Harry Secombe, Maggie Smith, Alison Steadman, Kathleen Turner, and Peter Ustinov.

There is something here for everyone, whether you're a fan of jazz, classical or world music, or if you're simply looking for a fun night out with friends or colleagues.

A boat cruise with Chichester Harbour Water Tours enables you to see much of the unspoilt area from the water. From the narrow harbour mouth between Sandy point Hayling Island, and East Head in Sussex.To Emsworth, Thorny Island Channels, Bosham, and Dell Quay.

You will be able to see some of the 12,000 resident boats and a wide variety of habitats including sand dunes, mudflats, shingle banks and woodlands, all valuable refuge for sea birds and other interesting wildlife species.
When visiting this area of outstanding natural beauty from the water. There are up to 5 Public Trips a day.

Chichester Marina is an oasis of relaxation in beautiful surroundings.

The idyllic background of Chichester Harbour, with 17 miles of safe, sheltered channels to explore, makes this a popular choice for sailors to berth their boats.

Facilities are top-class, with modern shower and toilet blocks, launderette, state-of-the-art lock control headquarters and marina reception. They have earned Chichester Five Gold Anchors - the Yacht Harbour Association's highest award.

Round-the-clock patrols, CCTV, automatic number plate recognition, sensor activated lights and the lock, which allows 24-access, provide excellent security at the UK's second largest marina.

Helpful, professional staff are available 24 hours a day to help you refuel, negotiate the lock, give advice on good cruising destinations and assist with any problems.

View larger imageYou may eat out without leaving the marina, either at the Chichester Yacht Club or the Spinnaker Restaurant and can pick up provisions at the on-site chandlery. There is plenty of free parking.

It’s a pleasure to walk around the compact, pedestrianised shopping streets of the cathedral city of Chichester, a good destination for antique pottery and glassware, jewellery and kitchenware.

Farmers Market East Street 1st & 3rd Friday

Reverse this route to cycle from the Boathouse (which is on the cycle route) to Portsmouth

Distance : miles (km) 14.52 (23.37)
Duration(hh:mm) 01:24
Difficulty 4/10
Calories burned 588 kcal

Cycle Steps
1. Head through the airport estate onto the Eastern Road out of Portsmouth. Take the path through Farlington Marshes to Broadmarsh - the pavement/cycle path is now complete all the way to Xyratex.

Turn left at the roundabout over the motorway bridge and turn right at the next roundabout to go past Tesco.

At the end, turn left onto the main road through Havant. I normally go through the pedestrian precinct which is empty when I go through after work, but there is a road way round the precinct to the church and onto the A259 towards Emsworth.

Stay on the main road, through the traffic lights and past the One Stop. Take the left turn just before the roundabout onto the dual carriageway and go straight ahead - not down Castle Street - and this leads to an underpass back to the A259. Stay on the A259 through Emsworth, over the roundabout and on to Southbourne, Nutbourne, Bosham and Fishbourne.

At Fishbourne there's a cycle/footpath at the sharp right turn before the dual carriageway roundabout - follow this for a few metres to reach a gated pedestrian level crossing over the railway. Cross the tracks (as long as the lights are green!) and follow the road into Chichester town centre (go straight over the two roundabouts). Lock up and go for lunch.

Landmarks/Pubs for lunch/Sites to see?
There's a bikeshop near Fishbourne, some great pubs and a nice stretch of fast road.

The city of Chichester offers every facility for visitors with an excellent shopping centre and many good cafes, restaurants, pubs and tea shops and the famous Chichester Festival Theatre (01243 781312). The city is the centre for the road, bus and rail networks for the area. Contact the Tourist Office (01243 775888) for places to stay.

To the north of the city rise the South Downs, unspoilt with lovely walks and views (including the South Downs Way). Nearby the open air museum at Singleton and the stately homes of Goodwood, Uppark and Parham and the castle at Arundel, are just some of the attractions worth visiting. The famous Chichester Festivities with a wide range of arts, music and community events is usually held in July, check with the Tourist Office for a programme of events.

Contact

www.visitchichester.org
www.chichesterweb.co.uk
www.visitsussex.org

England’s ‘green and pleasant’ South Downs with its bountiful network of paths and bridleways guarantee walkers long rambles or short strolls, wheelchair excursions or nature trails. And for those in need of refreshment along the way, our welcoming pubs serve traditional food accompanied by heady local brews.

To appreciate the stunning views, either walk, cycle or ride part of the South Downs Way, from Bury to South Harting. It takes you on an exhilarating journey through classic Sussex landscapes of open chalk grassland and secluded woods, passing pretty villages, Roman roads, Bronze Age burial mounds and Iron Age hill forts.

Near Midhurst lies Black Down, a sandstone hill of gorse and silver birch with breathtaking vistas over the Sussex Weald to the English Channel. Nearby is the village of Lurgashall, complete with Saxon church and cricket pitch, and home to Lurgashall Winery - drop in to sample its traditional country wines and meads. Explore the hidden delights of the Drovers Estate, once part of a medieval deer park and now opened to all by the National Trust. Don’t miss Cowdray Estate, famous for hosting polo’s most prestigious event The Gold Cup in July; in addition the Cowdray Cup Polo Season runs from late April until the end of September with matches every weekend and Bank Holiday.

The Cowdray Estate, Cowdray Park, is set in beautiful rural West Sussex 13 miles from Chichester, centred around
Easebourne, Midhurst. Viscount Cowdray Estate offers Leisure and Corporate Clay Pigeon Shooting, Cowdray Park Polo Club, Cowdray Park Golf Club and the ruined tudor mansion of Cowdray.

With a long and illustrious history, Cowdray Park is recognized worldwide as the Home of British Polo. Set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty within Viscount Cowdray’s 16,500 acre estate in West Sussex, just 13 miles for Chichester. The game of polo has been played at Cowdray for close on a century – the first competitive tournaments being recorded in 1910. By the 1920s a whole series of competitions with dedicated cups and trophies was firmly established, although the sport in the UK was to all but die out during the Second World War.

Cowdray Park Polo Club’s significance in the re-establishment of polo in England following the Second World War cannot be underestimated. This was largely due to the efforts of a legendary name in the history of polo, John, 3rd Viscount Cowdray, who died in 1995. Father of the present Viscount, he turned Cowdray Park into one of the most famous polo clubs in the world – firmly establishing its place at the very pinnacle of the sport both nationally and internationally.

During the early post-war years John Cowdray, who had maybe ten or twelve ponies still alive, built up the country’s leading string of polo ponies. He was generous in his offers of loaned ponies to increase the number of potential players participating in the sport. Beginning with Cowdray, polo was gradually revived on a small scale at other clubs around the country. Although he had lost his left arm at Dunkirk, this did not keep the 3rd Viscount from continuing to be part of the sport he loved. With help from Churchill, his gun makers, he had an artificial arm adapted at the Roehampton Limb-Fitting Centre so that he could hold the reins with a hook.

By 1948, visiting Argentines Jack Nelson and Luis Lacey were sufficiently impressed by the re-launch of British polo to invite John Cowdray to take a team to compete in Buenos Aires the following year. The visit by the English team in 1949 was a huge success and marked a significant step in the recovery of British polo

In 1953 Cowdray Park played host to England’s first big post war international tournament, the Coronation Cup, first presented in 1911 to celebrate the coronation of King George V. Teams from England, the U.S.A, Argentina and Chile competed and the finals drew a crowd of more than 10,000 people, including HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. In 1956 the country’s premier High Goal tournament, the Cowdray Park Gold Cup was inaugurated.

The Gold Cup continues to be the highlight of the polo season at Cowdray. Sponsored since 1995 by leading champagne house Veuve Clicquot, the Gold Cup welcomed its Golden Jubilee in 2006 with due celebration.

Opened in 2007 as a major new visitor attraction, Cowdray is one of the most important survivals of a Tudor nobleman's house in England today. Set within the stunning "Capability" Brown landscaped Cowdray Park, the house was partially destroyed by fire in 1793. Explore the still intact Tudor Kitchens and Tower, Buck Hall, Chapel, Gatehouse, Vaulted Storeroom and Cellars, new Visitor Centre and Shop

Beautifully restored whilst keeping that cosy rustic feel the 300 year old Crab & Lobster is in a superb location on the banks of Pagham harbour close to the nature reserve.

Popular with families, the country pub and restaurant serves a traditional menu specialising in locally caught sea-food.

Awards
AA Awards -
1 AA Rosette 2007

OPENING TIMES - (Please check winter opening times)

Garden: 9.00am - 5.00pm - Daily all year - except 25, 26 Dec & 1 Jan 2010

Plant Centre: 9.00am - 5.00pm - Daily all year - Christmas Day closed, Boxing Day and New Year's Day limited hours - please check.

Garden Café: 10.00am - 5.00pm - Daily all year - Christmas Day bookings only, Boxing Day and New Year's Day limited hours - please check.

Entance to PLANT CENTRE and the GARDEN CAFÉ is FREE OF CHARGE.

ADMISSION CHARGES TO THE GARDEN - prices all per person
Adults £4.95
Senior Citizens £4.75
Children (4-14 years) £3.95
Carers £2.95
Pre-booked Groups of 15 or more persons £4.50

To qualify for the group rate 15 or more tickets must be purchased at any one time. Groups with fewer that 15 - normal charge.

All admission prices are inclusive of VAT at current rate. The driver of a coach party id entilted to free cup of tea/coffee.

GUIDED TOURS
Guided Tour: £75.00 including VAT (available Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday)

Introductory talk: £50 including VAT (available Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday)

Wheelchairs and umbrellas are available free of charge fro use whilst viewing the garden, but must be returned on completion of your visit.

Season Tickets are available and offer additional benefits such as discounts on plants. Functions and evening visits can be arranged, with or without catering facilities made available.

Get up close and personal and walk amongst amazing tropical butterflies. The colour and beauty of these creatures has to be seen to be believed. Watch them feeding on nectar in the blossoms-they might even land on you. You can hunt for eggs and caterpillars and see if you can spot pupae in the foliage. A never to be forgotten experience.

A delightful maze of seventeen covered themed gardens.
Enjoy strolling through the gardens not knowing what you might find round the next corner. And for the children we have the excitement of our free competition.

The children will love searching around the gardens to find pictures of animals on the walls to complete their competition card.

Bertie the Badger, Horace the pig, Sadie the squirrel and wally the weasel are just a few of the animal pictures the children are
looking for in the themed gardens and its not just the children that enjoy this game!.....

How many times have you passed Freddy the frog? And where is Henry the Hedgehog!!

Earnley Butterflies & Gardens,
133 Almodington Lane,
Earnley, Chichester,
West Sussex,
PO20 7JR. Tel: 01243 512637

East Wittering lies on the same shore of the Selsey Peninsular and provides a sandy beach at low tide, pebbly at high tide. The sailing varies from flat water through bump 'n' jump to down the line wave riding depending on the state of tide and the wind direction.

Generally a very quiet location, on a good summers day there may be 25 sailors out, however they are spread across a very wide beach.

Explosion!
The Museum of Naval Firepower, Priddy's Hard, Gosport, Hampshire PO12 4LE.
Telephone:023 9250 5600
Fax:023 9250 5605
24 Hour Infoline 023 9250 5678

Explosion! is an award winning museum of naval warfare created within 18th century buildings at the Royal Navy's former armaments depot of Priddy's Hard, in Gosport, Hampshire.

The museum is housed in a group of listed buildings which centre around the original powder magazine of 1777. These sit on the edge of a delightful camber basin on the western shore of Portsmouth Harbour, with views across to Portchester Castle, Whale Island and the Naval Base.

Explosion! traces the development of naval armaments from gunpowder to the Exocet missile...but the museum is not just about big bangs!

The displays explore the 18th century origins of Priddy's Hard, its historic buildings and earthworks, bringing alive the site's rich history.

There's a fascinating social history too, including the story of how 2,500 women worked on the site during its peak in World War II. It describes the role that Priddy's Hard played in naval operations worldwide for over 200 years, as well as its importance to the local Gosport community, which not only armed the Navy but also fed and watered it.

Nor are the human, social and moral consequences of warfare forgotten -visitors will be provoked as well as educated and entertained.

The museum's extensive and unique collection was mostly assembled by superintendents of the former Naval Armaments Depot at Priddy's Hard. If it hadn't been for their foresight, a large slice of naval history would have been lost. Thanks to their efforts the museum boasts an extensive collection which includes small arms, cannon and guns, shells and munitions, mines, torpedoes and modern missiles. There's even an atom bomb, whose ominous hulk meets visitors on arrival.

But alongside the hardware, Explosion! tells a human story - of the designers, makers, seamen and thousands of female munitions workers who worked with these armaments over the centuries. From the beginning of exhibition, where a simulated locker room reveals Priddy's Hard through the eyes of those who worked there, visitors experience a real sense of the lives which this amazing story has touched.

Throughout the exhibition, the exhibits are brought to life with dramatic audio-visual effects and scene-setting, computer interactives and hands-on displays.

Explosion! is a modern museum providing a complete visitor experience with a full range of facilities and access for all visitors. There is a gift shop books and souvenirs and a coffee shop with magnificent views of Portsmouth Harbour.

The galleries and displays which have been created represent a first phase of development for the museum. It is intended that later phases will be developed using the buildings which currently house the extensive reserve collections opposite the Grand Magazine and the impressive 'E'-magazine, sited in the ramparts and reputedly constructed from no less than three million bricks.

There are also plans to convert other buildings within the complex to provide a climate-controlled environment for the museum's extensive archive (currently stored in Winchester), and to enhance the museum's education facilities.

Many of these later developments provide exciting opportunities for corporate sponsors and individual benefactors to become involved in the project. Details of these and other sponsorship opportunities can be obtained from Ian Lycett at Gosport Borough Council.

Explosion! was created for £3.5 million pounds which was funded by the Millennium Commission as part of the Renaissance of Portsmouth Harbour Millennium Scheme.

Just a 15 minute walk from The Boathouse and 2 miles from chichester is Fishbourne Roman Palace.

Fishbourne Roman Palace was discovered by accident during the digging of a water main trench in 1960. The discovery led to nine seasons of excavations that showed the site had developed from a military base at the time of the Roman invasion in AD43 to a sumptuous Palace by the end of the first century. Between 1995 and 2002, new excavations by the Sussex Archaeological Society revealed exciting new insights into this development of this site, and especially the area in front of the Palace.

This story is told in an entertaining audio-visual programme and also in the site museum, with the addition of fascinating artefacts from the excavations along with plans, reconstruction drawings and models. The remains of the North Wing of the Palace are enclosed within a cover building for their protection and for the comfort of the visitors. Here can be seen the largest collection of in-situ mosaics in Britain including the famous Cupid on a Dolphin mosaic.

Outside, the northern half of the formal garden has been replanted to its original plan as recovered by excavation. An attractive plant display area contains a range of plants known to have been cultivated by the Romans. Adjacent to it is a Roman Garden Museum which includes a reconstructed Roman potting shed with a selection of horticultural tools.

Education is a primary role of the Roman Palace. There is a comprehensive education programme with a special emphasis on school groups. There are also new workshops to embellish the AS archaeology certificate taken by 16+ age group. During school holidays there is an opportunity for adults to take part in workshops such as Roman Textiles spinning, weaving and dyeing: Ceramics bonfire kilns, coiling, press moulding and the potters wheel: Making Mosaics design, plan and create a beautiful mosaic: Roman Plants and Gardens some of the mysteries of the plants and their uses will be revealed.

Throughout the year there are lots of exciting special events from Roman Soldiers and Theatre performances to Musical concerts and Cooking demonstrations. There are a wide range of facilities on site including café, car park and disabled access and it is easily reached by public or private transport.

Disabled access The site offers good physical access, with wide doors and ramps. There are dedicated parking spaces and wheelchair accessible toilets. (one operated by a RADAR key) We also have 2 loan wheelchairs, a tactile handling collection, induction loops and deaf aware staff. The gardens do have gravel pathways but the layout of the area is visible from the colonnade.

Voted ‘UK Farm Attraction of the Year’. All-weather fabulous family fun! Climbing wall, bumper boats, the amazing barrel bug ride, trampolines and slides, jumping pillows, summer beach and mazes. Enjoy the Alpine Adventure with Toboggan Run and Ice Skating. Ride through a scary ghost tunnel, or on a tractor and trailer, or have a gentle pony ride. ‘Meet the Animals’ in the Farm Theatre. See goats, lambs, pigs, cows, mini Shetlands and mighty Shires. Special Easter, Hallowe’en and Christmas events plus traditional Pantomime. Farm Barn Restaurant and Farmer’s Grill.

The Festival of Speed is far more than just a hillclimb: it can justifiably claim to be the world’s biggest and most diverse celebration of the history of motor sport and car culture. It is the only occasion where you will see the greatest competition cars and star drivers from all eras in action: everything from 19th century steam carriages to current Formula One; fabulous racing motorcycles; classic rally cars to 3000bhp dragsters; plus motor sport legends like Moss, Surtees, Fittipaldi and Andretti rubbing shoulders with today's hottest properties such as Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso and Petter Solberg.
Motor bike in front of Goodwood House

Motor racing first came to Goodwood in 1936 when the 9th Duke of Richmond held a private hillclimb through the park. Five years earlier he had won the Brooklands Double 12, and then in 1948 he went on to open the famous Goodwood Motor Circuit. These early events inspired his grandson, the present Earl of March, to bring motor sport back to Goodwood. This resulted in the first Festival of Speed, held in 1993 in the picturesque parkland surrounding Goodwood House.

Since the inaugural meeting, the Festival has become established as a key event in the motor sport social calendar. But it is not all about action on the hill. A 2.5-kilometre loose-surface rally stage – cut into the wooded area close to the hillclimb finish line – has around 30 cars from the history of rallying providing a thrilling demonstration of sideways driving throughout all three days of the event. Unrestricted access to the paddocks means that spectators and autograph hunters can get closer to the cars and drivers than at almost any other meeting.
Audi Quattro going rounf the Goodwood Rally Stage
Motor bike in front of Goodwood House

Away from the bustle of competition, you can relax with a picnic on the lawns of the House among some of the most beautiful and innovative automotive creations, which are judged in the Cartier ‘Style et Luxe’ design competition. You can explore the exciting displays of our many exhibitors, or visit the Goodwood Technology Pavilion (FOSTech), that showcases a variety of exciting new technologies from the motor manufacturers, design specialists and other motor industry suppliers with a strong emphasis on future environmentally-considerate motoring and personal mobility.

You can seek an adrenaline rush from the Festival's interactive entertainment, including driving simulators and 4x4 driving, children will delight in the special amusements to be found at the Junior Festival of Speed and the Supercar Paddock will delight visitors of all ages with a mouth-watering display of the very latest exotica for the road.

The Festival is motor racing's equivalent of Ascot or Wimbledon: an extravaganza of sound and colour that has been described as 'the garden party of the Gods'. In combination with the rich period theatre of the Goodwood Revival, the Festival of Speed ensures that Goodwood is unrivalled throughout the world.

Set in 12,000 acres of rolling Sussex Downland three miles from Chichester, Goodwood has long been famous for both its natural beauty and its legendary hospitality.Goodwood House provides a dramatic setting for one of the most significant private art collections in the country. Restored to their original Regency splendour, the State Apartments reflect exoticism and opulence.

Goodwood Park enjoys an exceptional variety and unique mixture of activities, ranging from horseracing, motor racing, flying, golf and shooting.

Goodwood combines the glamour of a great English country house with the warmth of a family home. The Earl and Countess of March live in this elegant Sussex house that provides a dramatic setting for one of the most significant private art collections in the country. Restored to their original Regency splendour, the State Apartments reflect exoticism and opulence. A wonderful pair of views of 18th century London by Canaletto grace the walls, together with sporting scenes by George Stubbs and a bevy of ancestral portraits with stories to suit. A warm welcome is offered as you discover a historic world of beauty and comfort.

The Goodwood Revival is the world’s most popular historic motor race meeting and the only event of its kind to be staged in the romantic time capsule of the Fifties and Sixties. As well as recreating the golden era of motor sport, the Revival offers exceptional wheel-to-wheel racing around a classic circuit, untouched by the modern world.

The Revival relives the glory days of Goodwood Motor Circuit, near Chichester, which ranked alongside Silverstone as Britain’s leading racing venue throughout its active years between 1948 and 1966. During this time, it hosted contemporary racing of all kinds, including Formula One, the famous Goodwood Nine Hours race and the celebrated Tourist Trophy sports car race.

Now, for three days each September, the circuit stages a historic race meeting for the kind of cars and motorcycles that would have competed at Goodwood during 1948-1966. The circuit echoes to the spine-tingling bark of golden-age Grand Prix cars from the Fifties and Sixties, thundering sports and GT cars, as well as historic saloon cars and little-seen Formula Juniors. Many of these important historic racing cars are driven by famous faces from motor sport past and present. Sir Stirling Moss, John Surtees, Sir Jack Brabham, Phil Hill, Derek Bell, David Coulthard, Damon Hill, Gerhard Berger, Johnny Herbert, Wayne Gardner, Giacomo Agostini and the late, great Barry Sheene have all taken part at the Revival.

But the Revival is far more than a series of races for historic cars: it is a magical step back in time and a chance for visitors to revel in the romance and theatre of motor racing as it used to be. The lovingly restored circuit is unchanged from its heyday, and great lengths are taken to ensure that everything on the site is exactly as it was. This means that most visitors wear appropriate period clothing and no modern vehicles are allowed within the circuit perimeter throughout the weekend. There are also theatrical sets that bring the past back to life and a celebration of the aviation heritage with some stunning aerial manoeuvres throughout the skies above this WWII former aerodrome, as well as a fantastic selection of rarely-seen pre-1966 aircraft on static display in the Freddie March ‘Spirit of Aviation’.

This is the only event that places motor racing into a carefully choreographed historical backdrop. The result is a truly unforgettable experience, and an atmosphere unlike any other sporting event. In combination with the highly-acclaimed Festival of Speed, the Revival ensures that Goodwood offers a medley of motor sport delights unrivalled throughout the world.

The Guildhall was built in 1269 as the church for the Greyfriars. After the Dissolution of the monasteries in 1538 the church became the Town Hall. It was also used as a court room with famous trials including Willaim Blake (famous for writing 'Jerusalem') in 1804. In 1947 it was used to for local history displays and today is part of the Chichester District Museum service. It is a Grade 1 listed building and an Ancient Scheduled Monument.
Wheelchair and pram access to the whole building

Displays show the history of the area including the Castle which was destroyed in 1217, the Greyfriars and William Blake. There is also information on Priory Park.

Collections on display include Roman grave stones and the base of the Jupiter column found in West Street during the 1930s. There are also examples of more recently objects including a post box from the 1930s and a turnip cutter from the nineteenth century

Shop at over 95 designer outlets, eat at one of 30 cosmopolitan bars & restaurants, work it off at the health & fitness centre, catch a film at the 14 screen Vue cinema, bowl at the 26 lane Bowlplex, laugh with Jongleurs comedy club, dance the night away at Tiger Tiger, then stay at the new Express by Holiday Inn.

Landscaped in a historic setting, with the famous Dockyard and Old Portsmouth only a short walk away, Gunwharf Quays is where old and new come together. Once you’ve experienced shopping in the pedestrian avenues, soaked up the spectacular views across the harbour, and enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere, we’re sure you’ll be back time and time again.

Twenty-five acres of magically beautiful, peaceful, woodland and water gardens. Glorious spring flowers, stunning autumn colours. Rippling streams, enchanting vistas, bluebells, azaleas, camellias, magnolias, wildflower meadows, rare plants, tree trails. Car and coach parking, picnic area, toilets. Access for all to licensed Restaurant and Tea Garden serving lunches and teas all year. Coaches by appointment. Some steep gradients in gardens. No dogs please. (Reg. Charity)

OPEN mid-Mar to end Oct 1pm-5pm. Closed Weds. Tel: 01444 400589. www.highbeeches.com

"Better have been a fisherman at Bosham, my good Herbert*: Thy birthplace; the sea creek; the pretty rill that falls into it; the green field; the gray church; the simple lobster-basket and the mesh; the more or less of daily labour done "
* Herbert of Bosham - Secretary to Thomas à Becket.

Thus wrote Alfred, Lord Tennyson, in his 'Becket', after visiting Bosham in 1875. The description still holds true today. Decades ago, there were many such villages along the Sussex coast. Now, Bosham is unique. Twice a day, the tide laps under the windows of the little cottages along the shore. In former times, these were occupied by the local fishermen. A large oyster industry, second only to Whitstable, was enjoyed at Bosham. Oysters were dredged from the Solent and dropped into the Harbour to grow for two or
three years. They were then put into beds, which ran the length of the waterfront, before being taken to market.

Christianity

Bosham is the oldest Christian site in Sussex. There was a Christian congregation here, 200 years before Augustine landed in Kent. It had a resident monk, Dicul, who came from Ireland, living in a small, rough cell below the church. (This can be visited.)
The Church, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, is thought to have been built on
the site of a Roman Basilica - the bases of the Chancel arch pillars are all that are left of that earlier building. (A villa with a central court built in the reign of Antoninus has been excavated in the grounds of Broadbridge Farm in Delling Lane, along with a marble head, a Roman bath and a small amphitheatre.)
The present building is largely Saxon, the first parts of it being built in the early 11th Century, during the reign of Canute - (He lived at Bosham for a while, and it is strongly believed that his eight year old daughter died here, and is buried in the Church. A skeleton of such a child has been discovered here, and the place is marked with a stone slab, bearing the Danish emblem of a raven.)
The Chancel was built in three stages - the first, in the somewhat untidy stonework of the Saxons, (look at the Tower); followed by the neat herring-bone of the Normans; with the third stage in the Early English style. (The East window of the Chancel is one of the finest examples of this style in the country.

King Canute
The famous 'legend' of Canute trying to repel the waves is associated with many places along this coast, but Bosham seems to have the strongest claim!
The remains of Mud Wall can be seen at low tide. It was built at the end of the 18th Century, and the land to the North was used as farm land. The wall was breached in the 1840s by a tremendous storm. This dyke recalls the story of Canute, sitting on his chair, surrounded by his courtiers, ordering back the tide - unsuccessfully, so the chronicles stat! It is probable that Canute built a dyke, the Saxon word for which is 'char', but for some reason, the dyke did not hold back the tide. Mud Wall would be the most likely place for Canute to have built his 'char'. Modern day Canutes who leave their cars on the foreshore, may experience the same frustration as their historic counterpart!!

King Harold / Bayeux Tapestry

Bosham Church is the only Church depicted on the Bayeux Tapestry - it shows the Chancel arch. After the death of his father, Earl Godwin, the Manor and Church of Bosham were inherited by Harold, Earl of Wessex. It was from Bosham that Harold set sail in 1064, to argue with William of Normandy, who would inherit the throne of England after the death of Edward the Confessor, whose wife was a sister of Harold. On his return to England, to the great anger of William, Harold was crowned King of England. When Harold was killed at the Battle of Hastings, William became King, and took over the Manor and Church of Bosham as a Royal domain.
In the Domesday Book of 1084, Bosham Church was one of the wealthiest Churches in England, with property amounting to thirteen thousand acres of land in different parts of the country.

The Bosham Bell

In the days of King Canute, a fleet of Danes sailed up Bosham Channel to plunder the village and Church. They captured the tenor bell. As they made off back down the channel, the monks ran to the tower to ring a peal in thanks for having been spared. As the remaining bells rang out, the tenor bell moved in sympathy, and fell through the bottom of the boat. The monks prayed in vain to St. Nicholas, for his help in recovering the bell. They purchased a new bell-rope and a team of pure white heifers. All was
progressing well, and the bell was about to be landed, when, when someone noticed that one of the heifers had a single black hair in its tail. The rope snapped and the bell plunged back into the mud, where it remains to this day. On a still day, its muffled tones can be heard below the water. (The badge of Bosham Sailing Club is a red bell on a white background.)

Men of Bosham
During the Plague year of 1664, the people of Bosham took food to citizens of Chichester, who were confined within the City Walls. Because of this Christian charity, they were granted the right to sell fish in any market in England without paying tolls. They have the rights to free mooring, wild-fowling, and fishing within the waters of Bosham Harbour.

Other Facts About Bosham

The Anchor Bleu public house - A building of special architectural and
historic interest (Listed). Became an inn in 1740, but dates back further.

Bosham Sailing Club - A working mill until the 1930s.
The Millstream Hotel - Once called 'The Grange'. Purchased by Hugh Selwyn
Lloyd in 1913, after selling the Manor House (purchased 1899).

Bosham Walk - was once a garage owned by Glyn Martin.

Dylan Thomas lived in Bosham for 3 months during World War Two.
Ernest Hemingway knew and loved Chichester Harbour - he was a war
correspondent here during World War Two.

Laser Combat doesn't get much more spectacular than that which is on offer at our awesome GoBallistic Sussex Laser Combat Centre! We have everything in place to ensure the ultimate in laser scraps including the breathtaking woodland warzone, top of the range lasering equipment and fantastic facilities that will ensure a rip-roaringly entertaining day from beginning till end! You'll have to go a long way to find a more scintillating venue than our brilliant GoBallistic Sussex Laser Combat Centre!

LOSE YOURSELF IN OVER 200 ACRES OF PARADISE Leonardslee, home to one of the most magnificent displays of rhododendron and azaleas and the fascinating miniature 1/12 scale model exhibition ‘Beyond the Doll’s House’. The gardens which nestle in a romantic valley with walks around seven beautiful lakes are one of the finest in Europe when the sumptuous rhododendrons overhang paths fringed with bluebells, making an earthly paradise full of fragrances. The Rock Garden is a kaleidoscope of colours with azaleas of every hue. ‘Beyond the Doll’s House’, an exhibition of Victorian life, is one of the most detailed examples in the world, with a frontage of around 140ft. Discover the wildlife: wallabies, duck and much more; enjoy hot food in our licensed self-service restaurant and finally visit the gift shop and plant sales.

OPEN DAILY: 1 Apr to 31 Oct 9.30am-6pm (last admission 4.30pm). Tel: 01403 891212. Fax: 01403 891305. Email: info@leonardsleegardens.com

The Look & Sea! Visitor Centre

* Harbour Lights Cafe & Evening Bistro
* Littlehampton Visitor Information Centre
* LOOK & SEA Heritage Exhibition & Viewing Tower
* Conference/Function Room
* Gift Shop

All situated in a glorious riverside location at Fishermans Quay in Surrey Street, Littlehampton, directly opposite the lifeboat station,just two minutes walk from the town centre and railway station.

Disabled access throughout the centre

Northney Explorer 7.5km / 4.5 miles

Having crossed the busy bridge onto Hayling Island you soon reach the tranquility of Northney. The 12th century church with its pretty courtyard makes a pleasant midway resting spot before continuing through farmland to a short stretch of the shoreline.

Start Point
The Ship pub, Langstone.

By Road
There is a free public car park at The Ship which is on the left just before the bridge onto
Hayling Island.

Refreshments
The Ship and The Royal Oak, Langstone.

Toilets
In the car park at Langstone.

Outstanding 20th-century garden, set around a romantic house and ruins, in beautiful woodland. Theatrically designed with plants from around the world, Nymans is internationally renowned for its garden design, rare plant collection and intimacy. Visit the Messel family rooms in the House, and see the dramatic ruins, which form a magnificent backdrop to the main lawn. Enjoy wonderful views across the Sussex countryside and explore the wider estate with walks through ancient woodland, lakes and wild flowers.

OPEN DAILY: Wed to Sun all year round 10am-5pm (Open Bank Hols. Closes 4pm Nov to Jan. Closed 25 Dec to 1 Jan). Tel: 01444 405250. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nymans

This is the closest paintball site to Chichester and is located in Littlehampton approximately 25 minutes drive from the centre of Chichester.

Situated in the heart of Sussex countryside, our excellent Go Ballistic Littlehampton site has facilities that are second to none, well trained and prepared marshals and we used only the most up to date and advanced equipment to ensure a rewarding day of paintballing action! The exhilaration of our superb Game Zones is unparalleled and this is definitely one venue that will give you a memorable paintballing skirmish...don't miss it!

Situated in the centre of Chichester, England, Pallant House Gallery is a Queen Anne townhouse and a contemporary building by Long & Kentish in association with Prof. Sir Colin St. John Wilson.
The Gallery holds one of the best collections of 20th century British art in the country.

The collection includes important works by amongst others; Andrews, Auerbach, Blake,
Caulfield, Freud, Hamilton, Hodgkin, Nicholson, Moore, Paolozzi. Piper, Sickert and Sutherland.

There is an extensive exhibition programme and a lively events, education and outreach programme.

Eileen Agar: A Life in Collage
25 October 2008-15 March 2009

Often pigeon-holed as a surrealist, this exhibition curated by Andrew Lambirth shows Eileen Agar (1899–1991) as the independent and original artist she was, focusing on her exceptional gift with paint and collage.

Eileen Agar, Self-Portrait, 1938, On loan from a private collection, © Artist’s Estate


Lily French
3 - 30th March 2009

Illustrations and passages from Lily's fantastic novel Doodles, Dreams and Imaginings: Visitors from Kado. Studio, Ground Level, FREE Entry.

Open Art Competition
29 April - 24 May 2009

St Wilfrid's Hospice in association with Pallant House Gallery are pleased to offer an opportunity for all ages and ability to win a place in the Open Art Exhibition to held at the Gallery in Spring 2009. There are categories for professionals, amateurs and the under 18's. The judging panel includes Wayne Hemingway, co-founder of Red or Dead, Jean Jackson, Stefan van Raay, Director of Pallant House Gallery and artist Jack Vettriano.

One of the country’s finest Elizabethan houses, containing an important collection of needlework, paintings and furniture. Award-winning gardens in magnificent setting below the South Downs.

OPEN 12 Apr to 30 Sept. House: Wed, Thurs, Sun and Bank Hol Mons. Also on Tues and Fri during Aug 2pm-5pm. Gardens: Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sun and Bank Hol Mons from 12 noon-5pm. Suns in Oct. Tel: 01903 744888/742021. Tel: 01903 744888/742021. Email: enquiries@parhaminsussex.co.uk

"Passies ponds were created due to my love of fishing and I have tried to create a pleasure based experience where the surroundings and the fishing is worth the trip. There are two lakes that cater for both the pleasure and match anglers with a total of 120 pegs.

One lake is for the pleasure angler and are not targeted for large or single species. Where as there are carp to 25lbs there is a lot of other smaller species with many specimens so a truly great day can be had by all.

You don’t need expensive tackle or the like although it is nice to use it but we get many families with the children experiencing their first fishing using whips and catching their first fish. In order to assist I have the resident coach Tom who is fully trained to help why not book him for advice for as little as an hour or as much as a day.

The match lake is also comfortable with a minimum of 15 mts between each peg it is full stocked with smaller specimens with the larger on still available if you have a group or small works club why not book it for a match. Or maybe it’s just a group of friends that want to fish together.

We have an onsite fishing tackle shop where we sell all the things you are likely to need for the days fishing we are agents for many of the tackle dealers and if we don’t have it in stock we should be able to get it in.

There is also a cafe which is open weekends and during the week in school holidays.
I hope that we see you soon and that you enjoy your fishing as much as I do.

Passie's Ponds are located in the South East of England in west sussex on the Coombes Road between Lancing College and Steyning, opposite the Old Shoreham cement works. There are two lakes at present one is for day tickets with 50 pegs. The other is a match canal with 68 pegs. The Lakes have been dug out in an area of spring waters in the lowland of the Adur Valley and have been awarded Centre of Excellence from the angling trades association. There are adequate car parks and toilets on site. There is also a full tackle shop on site open 7 days a week. Access is via a private track which is open to anglers only.

Petworth came to the Percy family in 1151. The history of the Percy dynasty is a chronicle of power leading not only to high honours (the earldom of Northumberland in 1377) but also to death and dishonour.

The Percy manor was repaired and extended by the 8th, 9th and 10th Earls of Northumberland in the late 16th and early 17th-centuries. The 10th Earl, a friend and patron of Van Dyck, founded the Petworth picture collection in the 1630s.

The 10th Earl's granddaughter, Elizabeth, as the Percy heiress was married in 1682 to Charles Seymour, 6th Duke of Somerset, who rebuilt Petworth with her money. Duke looked to France for stylistic influences, and the present house was probably designed by Daniel Marot, a French Huguenot who had been employed by William III.

A patron (most notably of Grinling Gibbons) and a collector, the Duke employed royal craftsmen in the rebuilding and refurbishing of Petworth. His formal gardens were replaced in the 1750s by one of 'Capability' Brown's most poetic 'natural' landscapes, immortalised in Turner's paintings.

Brown's employer, Charles Wyndham, 2nd Earl of Egremont, inherited Petworth through his mother. His collection of Old Master pictures was displayed at Egremont House, Piccadilly and most of his antique statuary at Petworth. The 2nd Earl was also a prominent Whig politician, serving as the equivalent of Foreign Secretary from 1762 until his untimely death in 1763.

3rd Earl Egremont and Turner

Then began what has been called Petworth's golden age - the 74-year reign of the 2nd Earl's son George O'Brien Wyndham, 3rd Earl of Egremont.

A great agriculturalist, philanthropist and one of the most successful racehorse owners in the history of the turf, the benevolent and enigmatic 3rd Earl is famous as the host to a whole generation of British artists.

A multitude of paintings and sculptures by Turner and his contemporaries remains as a testament to the 3rd Earl's generosity as a patron. He extended his father's North Gallery twice between 1824 and 1827 as the collection grew.

After the 3rd Earl's death in 1837, his natural son, George made few changes and was created Lord Leconfield in 1859. His son, Henry, 2nd Lord Leconfield, commissioned Anthony Salvin to make considerable alterations, principally at the south end of the house and in the Carved Room.

In 1947 Charles, 3rd Lord Leconfield, gave the house and park with an endowment to the National Trust, thus ensuring their permanent preservation.

Petworth House is located in the village centre, off North Street. 29 miles north-west of Brighton, on the A27-A283.

The site is owned by The National Trust and the house is open, Saturday to Wednesday March to October 11:00-5:00pm. The park is open daily, 8:00am-Dusk.

What to see and do

Audio guide
Available in English, German and French

Events
Concerts, open-air theatre, family events, living history events, lecture lunches and Christmas events. Send sae for details

Guided tours
10-minute 'Welcome to Petworth' introductory talks on the house and grounds on weekdays when house is open (subject to availability)

Country walks
Pleasure Grounds: spring and autumn guided walks

The vast late 17th-century mansion is set in a beautiful 283-hectare (700-acre) deer park, landscaped by 'Capability' Brown and immortalised in Turner's paintings. The house contains the Trust's finest collection of pictures, with numerous works by Turner, Van Dyck, Reynolds and Blake, as well as ancient and neo-classical sculpture, fine furniture and carvings by Grinling Gibbons. The Servants' Quarters contain fascinating kitchens (including a splendid copper batterie de cuisine of more than 1,000 pieces) and other service rooms. On weekdays additional rooms in the house are open to visitors by kind permission of Lord and Lady Egremont.

Visit the magnificent historic ships HMS Victory, HMS Warrior 1860 and the Mary Rose as well as the fascinating Mary Rose Museum, Royal Naval Museum and Action Stations, an interactive attraction on the modern-day Navy.

Discover the world famous historic ships – HMS Victory, the Mary Rose & HMS Warrior 1860 that have shaped British history at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

Home of the Royal Navy, other attractions include The Royal Naval Museum, with a new Exhibition “Sea Your History” and Action Stations with the interactive gallery InterAction detailing the science and technology used by the modern Royal Navy.

Also on site there are Harbour Tours, enabling you to see the fleet up close*.

News release issued: 13th October 2008

The final stage of Portsmouth’s “Voyage East” takes place at the end of October as Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and Gunwharf Quays join forces to link local Asian communities with local families and youth groups.

Voyage East Lights takes place during the October half term week 27th – 31st and brings a year’s festivity to a celebratory close.

The week-long programme includes free lantern-making workshops, open to all ages, at both sites from Monday 27th until October 31st. There will also be one workshop that will take place in the local Portsmouth BME (Black Minority Ethnic) community. Those attending the workshops will be able to demonstrate their creative skills to craft Chinese paper lanterns and Diwali lights using a fusion of Asian materials. Families attending the workshops will then be invited to show off their work in the Grand Finale parade.

The Grand Finale will muster alongside HMS Victory in the Historic Dockyard on Friday 31st October. As part of the celebrations the Mary Rose Museum and Ship Hall, Action Stations and the Royal Naval Museum’s Victory Gallery will be offering a free, late-opening taster of their collections for those taking part in the procession from 16.30hrs until 18.00hrs. The taster visits will be marked with a vibrant drumming display from Dhol drummers on site at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard from 17.00hrs.

The parade to Gunwharf Quays commences from 18.00hrs, led by a giant Asian Emperor and the Dhol Drummers and includes a peacock boat made by the Bengali community and featured in Voyage East Boishaki earlier in the year. The processional route will be illuminated by artist projections on key buildings along the route. The parade will climax with a fireworks display on the waterfront at Gunwharf Quays. It is expected that around 10,000 spectators will enjoy the display.

Just minutes out of Chichester, experience classic South Downs countryside, with rolling green hills, ancient forests and stunning vistas to the sea. Rooted in the landscape are historic towns like HG Well’s Midhurst and Petworth, an antiques hotspot, and photogenic villages like waterside Bosham and West Dean, with its pretty flint cottages.

Coastal charm

On the coast, there’s something for every mood - the yachtie heaven of Chichester Harbour, the wild, windswept beauty of East Head’s sand dunes, the classic English seaside at Selsey and the boho surfer vibe of the Witterings.

So come to Chichester and enjoy a city break, seaside fun, a rural retreat or a spot of sightseeing! We offer a superb selection of places to stay, from Georgian townhouse hotels and family-run B&B’s to waterside apartments and cosy thatched cottages. Let us welcome you to our ‘green and pleasant land’.

For all the family throughout the year. Set in the beautiful Arun Valley in the heart of West Sussex, a visit to the reserve makes an ideal day out. Explore the nature trail, with superb views across the glorious landscape (wheelchair-accessible with strong helper; Batricar available on free hire). Discover a wealth of wildlife and birds throughout the year. The visitor centre includes tearoom, shop, picnic and play area.

OPEN DAILY: visitor centre 9.30am-5pm, reserve 9am-9pm (sunset if earlier). Free entry to visitor centre, charges apply to nature trail (free to RSPB members). Tel: 01798 875851.

Selsey is an English seaside town, about 7 miles (11 kilometres) south of Chichester, West Sussex.

Selsey lies at the southernmost point of the Manhood Peninsula, a small island almost cut off from mainland Sussex by the sea. It is bounded to the west by Bracklesham Bay, to the north by Broad Rife (rife being the local word for stream or creek), to the east by Pagham Harbour and terminates in the south at Selsey Bill. There are significant rock formations beneath the sea off both of its coasts, named the Owers rocks and Mixon rocks.

There is one road in and out of the town - which briefly becomes a bridge at a point known as "the ferry", crossing the water inlet at Pagham Harbour (a part of Bognor). The term ferry is used because at the bridge point there was at one time a ferryman who took people across to the island.

South Downs Planetarium 100 seater auditorium providing an opportunity to view 4,500 stars, planets, Sun and Moon projected onto 10.8 metre dome. Astronomer present to provide a commentary on the night sky. Tickets for showings available from the Tourist Information Centre, 29a South Street, Chichester, and may be reserved by telephone from the Planetarium itself.


Only open for presentations. See website for details. http://www.southdowns.org.uk/

South Downs Planetarium

Kingsham Farm, Kingsham Road, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8RP

Soaring 170 metres above Portsmouth Harbour and the Solent, the Spinnaker Tower is taller than the London Eye, Blackpool Tower and Big Ben and has already established itself as a national icon for Britain.

A world class visitor attraction, the much-admired, elegant viewing Tower stands proud over one of the most fascinating seascapes in the world. Situated on the waterfront at Gunwharf Quays, it offers amazing 350º panoramic views of Portsmouth Harbour, the South coast and the Isle of Wight, with views stretching out for up to 23 miles breathtaking by day and a glittering sea of lights by night.

View Deck 1 boasts Europe’s largest glass floor, where visitors of all ages can dare to ‘walk on air’! View Deck 2 has self-contained multimedia ‘Time Telescope’ stations showing the history of the harbour and View Deck 3 – The Crow’s Nest – is open to the elements, enabling visitors to feel the wind in their hair.

All the information you need for planning your visit to the Spinnaker Tower

Planning a day out in Portsmouth and a visit to the Spinnaker Tower? With so many things to do and see, let us help you plan your visit.
Prices

1st February 2008 - 31st January 2009

Rate Adult Child (3-15 yrs) Child under 3 Senior Citizen (60+) Student
Standard £7.00 £5.50 FREE £6.20 £6.20
Resident £4.80 £4.20 FREE £4.50 £4.50


The Spinnaker Tower is open daily from 10am, expect Christmas Day.

Stansted Park is set in 1800 acres of ancient beech forest on the borders of Hampshire and Sussex. In 1983 the 10th Earl of Bessborough gave Stansted Park, his family home, and its beautiful contents to the public.

Stansted Forest is enjoyed by thousands of visitors each year and managed to preserve wildlife habitats. The private chapel, splendid mansion rooms and the fully furnished servants' quarters below stairs are open to visitors from Easter to September. School visits are always very welcome.

The historic house and grounds are the ideal private setting for weddings and corporate events all year round. A popular location for photographers and artists, the venue offers a unique atmosphere and can be yours for a day.

The grounds host many different events throughout the year, including the Garden Show, the Stansted Proms, Open-air Theatre, and Cricket - which has been played on the lawns here since the 1740s.

Stansted House and The Chapel of St Paul are open from Easter Sunday until the end of September on Sundays & Mondays 1pm - 4pm. During July & August they open Sunday, Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 1pm - 4pm.

The mansion is now closed for winter and re-opens at Easter (Sunday 12 April 2009) except for weddings and other special events.

The grounds and other attractions are open all year round. Free car parks are open 9-5pm with restricted access during the winter, and if events are taking place.

Admission to the House & Chapel:
Adults £7.00 Seniors & Students £5.00 Children £3.50 Family Ticket £17.00
Special Opening Times apply over event weekends - please check with them

West Dean holds a year-round series of art and craft exhibitions in the Sussex Barn Gallery. The gallery exhibits a variety of work by established and emerging artists as well as work inspired by the College and its students and tutors. For further information about current, future and past exhibitions please go to www.westdean.org.uk

ADMISSION FREE

Form and Nature:The work of Peter M Hicks,
Peter Sarginson and Merete Rasmussen

20 February - 19 April 2009

Since January 2008 the centre cease operating as a visitor centre and has dedicated itself to the year round provision of falconry experiences in all forms. SFC has formed partnerships with some of the best providers in the country so you won’t have too far to go for the Falconry experience of a lifetime.

Purchase a Gift Voucher for a friend or loved one and open the door for them to interact with some of the most magnificent creatures on the planet, genuinely go one on one with a true predator

Locksacre Farm
Wophams Lane
Birdham
West Sussex
PO20 7BS
Tel: 01243-512472
Fax: 01243-512730

Tangmere Military Aviation Museum was established in 1982 on the old RAF Tangmere airfield. From its beginnings in 1916, through its illustrious service as one of Britain's front line fighter bases during WW2 and on to its key role as home to the world speed record breaking aircraft of the High Speed Flight in the post war years it has occupied a unique place in aviation history.

The museum contains countless fascinating exhibits. Here you can see priceless historic aircraft such as Neville Duke's world record breaking Hawker Hunter, actual equipment used by the brave SOE agents who were carried into occupied France on 'black Lysander' flights from Tangmere, flight simulators where you can try your hand at flying, a full sized replica of the very first Spitfire prototype and more. Much more.

There is something for all the family to see and do.

This magnificent and imposing house late 17th-century house is elevated upon the South Downs. It boasts many attractions including its renowned Grand Tour Collection, and facinating Georgian doll's-house
Featuring intimate 19th-century 'Picturesque' gardens for you to enjoy a leasurly stroll or take in the wonderful panoramic views out to the sea

Uppark was designed in around 1690 by William Talman for Lord Grey. The house owes its existence his grandfather's invention of an effective method of pumping water to great heights.

Without this building a house on the crest of the South Downs would have been impractical.

The red brick, two-storey house with stone dressings stands four-square with dormer windows in a hipped roof.

The south front is crowned with a pediment and the mid-18th century stable and kitchen blocks balance the composition on either side.

Humphrey Repton was responsible for pillared portico added later to the north front.

Lord Grey had an adventurous career and was involved in Monmouth's Rebellion against James II. However, he emerged unscathed and contrived to finish up as Lord Privy Seal under William III.

In 1747 Uppark was sold to Sir Matthew Fetherstonhaugh.

Sir Matthew was heir to a vast fortune from a distant relative and he and his wife Sarah transformed the interior of the house between 1750 - 1760.

They redecorated most of the principal rooms and furnished the house with a splendid collection of furniture, carpets and works of art, much of it collected on their Grand Tour in 1749 - 1751.

Their only son Sir Harry Fetherstonhaugh succeeded to the estate in 1774. He shared his parents good taste and added to their collection.

However, in other respects he was a rake with a love of hunting and the turf, reflected in his sporting pictures and silver-gilt cups. He brought the young Emma Hamilton from London to Uppark for a year in 1780 - 1781.

Sir Harry entertained lavishly and his close friend the Prince Regent was a frequent guest at the house between 1785 - 1810.

In the Red Drawing-room there is a Carlton House writing-table given to Sir Harry by the Prince Regent.

In around 1813 Sir Harry withdrew from society and in 1825 he married his dairymaid, Mary Ann Bullock. They had no children and after he died at the age of 92 in 1846 she lived on at Uppark with her sister Frances.

It was largely thanks to these two women that Uppark survived the 19th century with little change. Frances lived there until her death in 1895 and employed H.G.Wells's mother as housekeeper between 1880 - 1893. Wells recollects his childhood at Uppark in his autobiography.
Read More

In 1954 Uppark was given to the National Trust by the late Admiral the Hon. Sir Herbert Meade-Fetherstonhaugh.

Uppark's fine collections of furniture, pictures and ceramics were rescued from a disasterous fire in 1989 and have been returned to the now fully restored 18th century interior.

The 'below stairs' rooms contrast sharply with the opulence of the family's apartments.

Much of Uppark's charm comes from its wonderful setting high on the South Downs.

There is a garden in the picturesque style and a great stretch of grass with mature trees sweeps away from the house towards the sea.

A small village near Chichester now important for its two locked marinas.

History

The Domesday surveyors recorded two fisheries and a mill at 'Bridgeham' and reckoned the manor to be worth 65 shillings in all. It may be that there was a watermill at Birdham since the time of the Normans but Budsens early eighteenth century map does not show one and the present mill was built in 1768. The rising tide was apparently allowed into the pond and on the ebb, after a good head of water had been secured, the outgoing water turned the mill wheels. The owners of the tide mills worked unusual hours as the tide waits for no man! The mill ceased to grind corn in the 1930s and lockgates were once again built into the wall of the mill pond and a small yacht basin was developed.

Barely a hundred yards from Birdham Pool are the lockgates of the disused Chichester Canal. In times past as a port the town of Chichester was somewhat disadvantaged by its distance from the sea and the merchants of the city were complaining of this hardship as long ago as 1586. In answer to their petition an act was passed allowing the construction of a 'canal to bring haven .. to the suburbs'. However, nothing was done until a further act was passed and work began in 1818 at Ford where the canal joins the River Arun. Certain sections of the bar were dredged and in 1823 the way was complete and barges could travel safely and comparatively quickly from Portsmouth through Langstone and Chichester harbours to Birdham and then onto Chichester or even London. Within two years of the canal opening proposals were published for a south coast railway and in 1846 the line from Brighton to Chichester was opened. The greater part of the canal became redundant almost immediately and trade between Chichester and the harbour also dwindled.
Today

Birdham is now important for its two thriving marinas. Houseboats line the lower end of the canal which although no longer used for navigation makes a pleasant walk into Chichester.
Things to do

* Birdham is a great start point for walks. For the less energetic just walk around Chichester Marina admiring the expensive boats and watching them go through the lock and follow with a drink at The Spinnaker (the bar in the main Marina complex).
* For a longer walk follow the canal into Chichester or try the pleasant circular walk up to Dell Quay passing through the wooded area of Salterns Copse.

Harbour Story

Birdham has three things of note. The first is an attractive water mill, which now stands at the entrance to a small marina that was originally the millpond.

Nearby there are the lock gates of the disused Chichester Canal. This was part of an inland waterway linking London with Portsmouth. It was very busy for the short time it was in use before it was superseded by the coming of the railway in 1846.

Next to the Harbour end of the canal is a large modern marina built over an area of saltpans, a very important industry at that time.
Access
By road:

Take the A286 south from Chichester. The turning for Chichester Marina is about 3 miles down the road on the right. For the main village and Birdham Pool continue along the A286 for a further 2 miles.
By bus:

Service 53 or 52 from Chichester stops at Chichester Marina and further along at the Birdham Stores. Check with the bus station for times.
Contacts

Chichester Tourist Office 01243 775888
www.visitchichester.org

www.premiermarinas.com

Bosham is arguably the prettiest of the harbour villages around Chichester and certainly the most popular with today's tourists. They come to admire the pretty cottages, the outstanding views and to visit the excellent tea shops!

History
Bosham's history is long, some well documented and other steeped in myths and legends. Around 1000AD the Danes invaded Bosham and the story goes that they made off with the church bell only to lose it in what is now called the 'bell hole'. Locals say you can hear the bell ringing on stormy nights! Bosham is reputed to be the site of King Canute's attempt to stop the tide. Some historians believe that Canute's young daughter was drowned in the millstream and is buried in Bosham Church.

Bosham next appears on the Bayeaux Tapestry. As King Harold's home village, it was from here that he sailed to Normandy in 1064. Bosham Church is depicted on the Tapestry along with the history of the Battle of Hastings. However, the church is thought to pre-date Harold by about 300 years making it one of the oldest in England.

Bosham has always been a prosperous village, covering over 3,000 acres it was the largest parish on the Sussex side of the harbour by the 14th century. Agriculture, fishing and boat building were its main trades. As leisure pursuits rose in popularity the boatyards changed from building fishing vessels and wooden sailing coasters to the construction of small yachts and dinghies. Although not particularly important as a port, it is believed that 'The Trippit', a raised walkway at Bosham, was built of stones from all over England and Europe that came into Bosham as ship's ballast.

During the Plague year of 1664, the people of Bosham took food to citizens of Chichester, who were confined within the City Walls. Because of this Christian charity, they were granted the right to sell items in the market in Chichester without paying for a licence.

The first sailing club on the Sussex side of the harbour was formed in 1907 at Bosham. Originally it organised regattas at both Itchenor and Bosham until Itchenor formed it's own club. By 1922 Itchenor had been deleted from the Club's rule book and that date is held as the official beginning of the Bosham Sailing Club.

Today

Today there is some farming in the area but following the closure of Combes Boatyard in 1999, there is no longer any commercial boat building at Bosham. In the main, the village is residential and a popular location for day trippers and tourists.

Things to do

* Visit the Church of the Holy Trinity
* Have a picnic on the National Trust owned Quay Meadow with wonderful views towards Chidham.
* Have tea and cake in one of Bosham's tea shops. Either Mariners at 1 The High Street with views over the creek or at The Tea Shop in Bosham Walk.
* Have a drink in the 300 year old waterside pub, the 'Anchor Bleu'. The 'Bleu' is believed to have come from the days when there were separate Admirals of the Blue Fleet and the Red Fleet.
* Visit Bosham Walk, situated in an old boathouse, this craft centre has 17 small shops on 2 floors. With flagstone floors and old wooden beams it has the feel of an old style shopping street. Artists, clock and picture restorers, handturned and carved wood and handmade British crafts can all be found.
* Watch the cars parked on the shoreline disappear as the tide comes in!

Harbour Story

Bosham is one of the places where King Canute (reigned 1016-35) is alleged to have sat on a chair, surrounded by his courtiers and ordered the tide to retreat. The concept behind this was that even he, the great King of England and Denmark, had no power over the waters of the sea.

A likely explanation for the Canute legend is that a dyke was built across the harbour just above the Quay and this area was reclaimed for farming. The Saxon word for dyke is char. One can only think that Canute’s dyke was not a very successful one and before long it was breached as a result of a hurricane or high tides, the weakness being that the dyke faced the prevailing south westerly winds.

There is another possibility that the use of the word ‘chair’ in the legend may have evolved from the Saxon name given to earthen banks which were built, to keep the sea out of fields and which were know as ‘chairs’.

A village on the road to nowhere but for this reason it has retained a unique character of its own with some fine unspoilt country and farm houses.
History

A recent excavation has shown that man made use of Chidham more than 4000 years ago. The flint scrapers discovered on the site on the western shore of the peninsula, seem to suggest that spear shafts or kiddles (fish traps) were being made here.

The present flint and rubble church only dates from the 13th century - a wooden one may have stood here before. Close by is the manor house, a large late 17th century building but of greater interest to many people is the nearby pub, the 'Old House at Home' which offers a selection of real ales.

The men of Chidham seem to have been farmers rather than fishermen or sailors, probably due to the good quality of their soil. The village seems almost oblivious to the nearness of the sea.

In 1812 an embankment wall was built across from Chidham to Bosham where use was made of an old quay. Writing of Bosham in the 1860s Charles Longcroft described how the newly enclosed land was ploughed and planted with corn. 'But one November, there came a raging tide and a gale wind, from the southwest and away went the embankment..'. In 1825 the sea returned covering the farmland and inundating new buildings. One of these is said to have been a mansion, standing at Cutmill whose stone was afterwards used to build Cutmill Cottage.
Today

Chidham village, such as it is lies on a loop-road, half-way down the peninsula. The only road leading out to Cobnor Point is a private road, so that access to and from the harbour is limited.
Things to do

* Learn to sail, canoe or a host of other activities at either the Cobnor Activities Centre or at Christian Youth Enterprises.
* Take the wheelchair path to the wonderful viewpoint almost opposite Itchenor.
* Enjoy a pint and a home cooked meal at the Old House at Home.

Harbour Story

The peninsula is not mentioned in the Domesday Book because it was part of the Manor of Bosham, rich in farming land. Recent diggings have shown that man lived there more than four thousand years ago. Remains have been found of fish traps and primitive salterns. Today it has a charming village and a popular pub, which brews its own beer.
Access
By car

free parking is available at the Amenity car park for about 12 cars. Only the entrance track is seen from the road, which then turns a corner into the parking area.
Contacts

Chichester Tourist Office 01243 775888
www.visitchichester.org
www.chidhamandhambrook.info

At one time the seventh most important port in England, Dell Quay and nearby Apuldram must still be one of the most beautiful.
History

Adjacent to Birdham lies the parish of Apuldram and the boundary that divides them passes through Chichester Marina. This was excavated in the 1960s from the marshy remains of the Apuldram Salterns, it provides berths for over 900 boats and in the largest marina on the South Coast.

The Salterns on whose site it was dug had been built by James Ayles one of the owners of Birdham Mill. Due largely to government tax policy the salterns cease to work in the 1820s after a lifespan of less then 90 years.

The medieval village of 'Apeldreham' clustered about the church and manor but there are, today, no obvious traces of villeins' cottages and feudal field-systems. There remain only one building other than the Parish Church which would have been familiar to the medieval peasants. This is the 15th century tower of Ryman's House. The manor of Apuldram was held by the Abbey of Battle for it had been granted to them by Henry I in exchange for the village of Reading. It seems possible that before relinquishing the property Henry had conferred rights on the citizens of Chichester that concerned a landing place in the parish, this bordered on a field or area of land called Dell, and the city had always held the privilege of collecting dues here. Battle Abbey retained the manor of Apuldram until the dissolution of the monasteries and may have had a private quay at the end of Smugglers Lane. The buildings of Dell Quay were built by the Lord Fitzwilliam of Cowdray in the late 1400s or early 1500s.

The early prosperity of the harbour continued into Tudor times but the port was not without its problems. In the late 1500s complaint was made not only of its distance from the city but also of the lack of facilities at Dell Quay. Further difficulties were occasionally caused by the silting of the harbour which prevented larger vessels from sailing above Itchenor. Despite such troubles Dell saw a flourishing trade in grain throughout the 1700s and amongst the mills built at that time was Tipper's windmill whose only remnant now forms part of Dell Quay House.

The small coastal barges and occasional foreign-going traders that plied the port also bore an interesting variety of other cargoes, ranging from bacon, cheese, fish and oysters to canvas, leather, lead, iron and timber. Increasingly the imports to the harbour were of coal from Sunderland carried both by local boats and barges. Latterly the quay was let to merchants dealing in cattle fodder and fertiliser and the last shipments were unloaded here in the 1930s.
Today

Yachtsmen and tourists throng this ancient landing-place and Dell Quay is probably busier than ever it was in the past. Although there is no specific village centre, there are a number of marine related businesses and boatyards. Dell Quay is also home to the Harbour Education Centre which is used throughout the year for educational field trips and also for a variety of activities for the public such as photography and painting.
Things to do

* Have a drink at the Crown & Anchor, the pub with the best views of the Harbour.
* Go crabbing or fishing from the end of the Quay.
* Join in one of the activities run at the Harbour Education Centre.
* See Dell Quay on the All About Sussex Webcam

Harbour Story

Dell Quay is the port of Chichester and also home to the Education Centre. In the early 1800s there were over a hundred ships registered here. Five hundred years earlier it was the 7th most important port in the Kingdom. Small coastal barges and local boats carried wool and grain to London and foreign ports, and brought back coal, timber and cargoes of anything needed for the City of Chichester.
Contacts

Chichester Tourist Office 01243 775888
www.visitchichester.org

Emsworth is a fishing village with a long history of connections with the sea: fishing, boat building and oystering. The village itself is picturesque with narrow streets, Georgian houses, high walled gardens, a good selection of village shops and restaurants. The pretty mill ponds are home to a variety of wildlife. A visit to this unique village is a must for all harbour lovers.
History

Emsworth is first recorded in the reign of King John, when Aguillon paid the King 'a pair of gilt spurs yearly' as rent. In 1239 Henry III granted a charter providing for a weekly market and an annual fair to be held in Emsworth on St Thomas' day. Of all the harbour communities, Emsworth seems to have grown and developed most rapidly. In the seventeen and eighteen hundreds there were five or six mills grinding in the town. Three were tide mills having vast mill ponds: Old Slipper Mill is now a block of flats, whilst Quay Mill built on the town quay now houses the Emsworth Slipper Sailing Club. The third mill, New Slipper Mill burnt down in the late 1880s after only a few years' use. In the 19th century almost every kind of trade was found in Emsworth: there were tailors, boot and shoe makers, shop keepers selling all kinds of goods, many taverns and The Crown Inn where the coaches on their way to London or south coast towns stopped to change horses. The coming of the Cosham-Chichester turnpike in 1862 and the opening of the canal to Arundel in 1823 did not pass Emsworth by; the former improved coach travel to a great extent and the latter enabled barges from Emsworth to reach the centre of Chichester to the benefit of both communities. Flour and malt were important export cargoes. By 1836 almost half of all coastal cargoes were handled at Emsworth.

At this stage Emsworth was at its height of prosperity as a small Hampshire market town with its own elementary school, doctors, lawyers, merchants and craftsmen. From 1850 onwards commercial traffic steadily declined partly due to improved inland communications and in part to the increasing size of the craft which small ports could no longer accommodate. As commerce declined at the latter end of the 19th century, so long-distance fishing took its place, yet by the 1920s this too had ceased. The last collier docked in 1929.

Emsworth grew up not just by trade but also because of the importance of the local fishery both within and without the harbour. Trade was mainly in oysters, once the poor man's meat and along with it all the trades needed to support the industry. The 19th century saw commercial rivalry when oyster fleets from the East coast began to poach on the harbour. With the local stock soon exhausted the Emsworth fishermen had to go further afield - Brittany. New oyster smacks needed to be bigger and faster. One of the biggest fleet owners was James Duncan Foster who built his own innovative boats. In 1902 Emsworth oysters were served as the first course to a banquet attended by the Dean of Winchester amongst others. He and a number of others died and it was found that the oysters were polluted with sewage. The sale of oysters were banned until the new sewage scheme was opened in 1914. After the First World War the industry got going again but never reached its previous peak.
Today

The harbour is a good reason to visit Emsworth and provides an ideal base for sailors and windsurfers of all levels. Magnificent views to the downs, Hayling Island and Thorney Island are an added bonus. In winter migrating birds use this area as a temporary home such as Brent Geese, Shelducks and Bar-tailed Godwits. The town has 11 pubs many of which are in or within easy reach of The Square with some dating back to the 18th century. Many restaurants and cafes offer variety for all tastes. The shopping area radiates out from The Square and has a feel of old rural England with its range of specialist shops and locally caught fish. Emsworth is a good base for walks around the harbour and further afield.
Things to do

* Join in one of Emsworth's festivals - the Dragon Boat Festival or Food Festival. Check with the Tourist Office for information.
* Enjoy a meal at one Emsworth's many gourmet restaurants.
* Enjoy a drink at one of its 11 pubs.
* Spend an afternoon browsing around the village shops and follow with tea at one of the pretty cafes.
* Visit the Museum.
* Take a trip on Terror, a restored Victorian oyster boat.

Harbour Story

Emsworth is a shipbuilding trading port that is not as old as other villages around the Harbour. It had a large oyster fleet and its oysters were larger and more succulent than others. At one time they were cheap and popular, which brought poaching fleets from the east coast and France. When they became scarce the Emsworth smacks would go to France and bring back spats to grow near the quay in the village.

From the earliest times drains from all home round the Harbour ran down to the water, and the waste was taken by the ebb tide. Emsworth was one of the first places to join their drains together and unfortunately the untreated sewage emptied over the oyster beds.

Six years later in 1902 Emsworth oysters were served at a city banquet in Winchester. Several people died (including the Mayor and the Dean) of typhoid fever. There were other outbreaks so the sale of oysters from Chichester Harbour was banned until recently.
Access
By Road

Emsworth is on the A259 and is signed from the M27/A27 between Havant and Chichester. From the North on the A3(M), leave at junction 2 (signed Emsworth) and follow the B2149/B2148 to the town centre. There is a pay and display car parks in South Street and others to the north of the A259.
By Rail

Emsworth Station is on the South Coast line between Southampton and Brighton/London Victoria.
By Bus

Service No 700 between Portsmouth and Chichester.
By Boat

There is a deep water pontoon and a drying jetty closer to the town with access for 3.5 hours each side of high water, (neap tides).

This village, where landing is almost impossible, was once a Roman port. It is now most famous for the Roman Palace and Museum which was discovered in 1960.
History

The Chichester harbour area was held by the Atrebates, a tribe closely allied to Rome and, as we have seen, proved an ideal base from which the invading army could move westward. Over the following centuries legend had long Vespasian, the Roman commander, had a villa in the neighbourhood of Bosham. Tradition was proved to be not entirely without foundation for in 1960 the first remains were accidentally unearthed of extensive Roman buildings at Fishbourne. The earliest of these must be some of the first Roman workings in Britain and have been interpreted as storehouses of a supply depot serving the military camp. Once the work of the army was done civilian life was re-established under the rule and influence of Rome. New buildings appeared at Fishbourne and are presumed to have been owned by Cogidubnus, the wealthy governor of the region who was styled 'King of the British'. He was almost certainly a chieftain or prince of the old Atrebate tribe but his taste, both in architecture and in luxury, suggests that he may have visited Rome. Cogidubnus achieved a rank within Romano-British society equivalent of that of a Senator. The remains of his villa show it to have been unequalled by any other found in England, for it compares rather to the palaces of the emperors in Rome. To have afforded the shipment of marble and from as far afield as Turkey and Egypt and to have paid the wages of the skilled Italian craftsmen Cogidubnus must have received substantial Roman backing and been considered a very important asset.

Before the Roman withdrawal from Britain the great palace had been burnt to the ground. The fire came at a time of great unrest, and whether it was sparked off by an accident or by an uprising or pirate raid is unlikely to be known. The millennium between the coming of the Romans and the coming of the Normans was an age of darkness as far as history is concerned. Fishbourne emerges, in the survey of 1086 as 'Fiseborne', held by the French Abbey of Seez having previously been held by Tostig who was slain in battle against his brother King Harold. The name of the place, meaning a river of fish, presumably refers not to the small rife running here but to the harbour itself.

Over the years there have been at least six mills at Fishbourne, two of them windmills. The medieval village probably grew around Mill Lane but the settlement spread out along the main road in the 1700s.
Today

Fishbourne is a small village with the Roman Palace as its main feature.
Things to do

* Explore the dolphin mosaics at the Roman Palace.
* Feed the ducks at the beautiful pond.
* Join a Conservancy stream dipping or bat watching trip to Fishbourne Meadows.
* Walk through the rustling reedbeds.

Harbour Story

Over the years there have been six mills in Fishbourne, four worked by water and two windmills. Traces of them are still there, but the most famous discovery was that of the Roman Palace in 1960.

Fishbourne Roman Palace was discovered by accident during the digging of a water mains trench. After a series of excavations, it was found that the site had developed from a military base at the time of the Roman invasion in AD43 to a sumptuous Palace by the end of the first Century.
Access
By road:

Take the A286 south of Chichester and follow for about 2 miles until you see a right hand turn. Note there is no parking allowed on the Quay, you need to park in the lane and walk down.
By bus:

Services 52 and 53 from Chichester will stop at the top of the lane to Dell Quay.
By boat:

Access to the quay is 2½ hours each side of the high tide.
Contacts

Chichester Tourist Office 01243 775888
www.visitchichester.org

A winding lane with picturesque Sussex cottages and overhung with trees and flowering shrubs leads through the village of Itchenor down to the harbour. This quiet village offers the only 24 hour public launching site in the harbour and is home to Chichester Harbour Conservancy.
History

Itchenor takes its name from the Saxon chieftain Icca who first resettled the district after the collapse of Roman Britain. The parish is still officially called West Itchenor, despite the fact that the village of East Itchenor disappeared in the 15th century.

Around 1175 the then lord of Itchenor built a chapel on the manor which developed into a parish church by the end of the century. The church is dedicated to St Nicholas, the patron saint of seamen and has its own graveyard. Although only 546 acres, the parish was three small settlements: one by the church, one at Shipton Green and a later development by the shore.

During the 18th century there was a considerable amount of ship building which lasted until the end of the Napoleonic wars. A small boat building presence is recorded throughout the years but permanent boat-building and repairs re-started with Haines' yard in 1912.

In the late 18th century the 3rd Duke of Richmond built Itchenor Lodge as his yachting lodge and also a salt-water bath on the shore near where the Conservancy office now stands. His sloop the Goodwood was used to bring stone from various places for both the building of Itchenor House and Goodwood House.

A ferry has been run to Bosham since the early 19th century. Originally this was run by the Rogers family who lived in Ferryside (now the Harbour Office) and later through marriage passed to George Haines, whose family ran it until it closed in the 1950s. George Haines was the virtual harbourmaster, pilot and collector of tolls until the Chichester Corporation took over the running of the Harbour in the 1930s.

By 1927 the yachtsmen and dinghy sailors of Itchenor started their own sailing club. They acquired four small 17th century cottages which were converted to form their club house. The original buildings have since been enlarged and improved. During the last war the club was requisitioned, first by the Army and then by the Navy, when preparing for the D-Day landings.
Today

Today many of the inhabitants of Itchenor have moved to the village for sailing. Midweek and during the winter the village is quiet, the only activity taking place around the boatyards, Harbour Office and pub. However, at weekends and during the summer holidays the village comes alive with visiting sailors and tourists.
Things to do

* Admire the view from the viewing platform near the hard. Benches and a telescope are provided. In the summertime an ice cream van is usually parked near the hard.
* Have a meal at village's only pub - The Ship Inn which is open all day.
* Take a ferry ride - a seasonal ferry which takes passengers across the water to Smugglers Hard, you can then take a pleasant hours walk to Bosham or further afield. To catch the ferry walk to the end of the jetty and he will either be there or returning shortly. Do not panic sometimes he may be 15 minutes or so as he also takes mariners to and from their moored vessels.
* Enjoy a boat trip - the Harbour Water Tours run from the jetty at Itchenor, call the talking timetable on 01243 670504 or see www.chichesterharbourwatertours.co.uk. Or come aboard Solar Heritage for a trip to learn about the Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty on a solar powered boat.

Harbour Story

Itchenor had, and still has, a tradition of shipbuilding. Small ships were built in Tudor times, which were paid for by the merchants of Chichester. The biggest ship ever built was 140ft (50m) long, which carried 44 cannons. She was launched in 1785.

There is a legend that when the Vikings came into the Harbour, they rowed up to Bosham under the cover of fog. They raided the village, set fire to the wattle and daub houses and stole the church bell. When the fog lifted, the men of Itchenor saw what had happened and were waiting for the long boat when it came down the creek. In the fight, the bell sank to the bottom. Afterwards they dredged the mud, but each time the grapnel brought the bell to the surface, the rope broke and the bell sank into the mud again. What were they to do?

The bell had been consecrated, and the parson said that they must use a consecrated rope woven of hair from the tails of white oxen. All this was done and the new rope and grapnel were blessed in Bosham's now bell-less church.

They tried again. They dredged again and found the bell, but as it broke the surface of the water, the rope broke. Why? They examined the broken end of the rope to find one black devil's hair among the white. So, the bell lies forever in the Bell Hole and if you listen on a quiet evening you might hear it ring...
Access
By Boat:

Access is 24 hours. A deep water jetty has water and pump out facilities. Vessels may stay on the jetty for a maximum of 20 minutes. Six visitors moorings are available free of charge during the day or £5 per night. Each mooring will take up to 6 vessels. All vessels must pay harbour dues, please see page 56. Launching fees are payable to the Harbour Office.
By Ferry:

A seasonal ferry runs from Smugglers Hard to Itchenor and also takes passengers to and from their vessels.
By Road:

From the A27 take the A286 south of Chichester towards the Witterings. At the small roundabout, head towards West Wittering. About 1/2 mile later take a right hand turn sign posted Itchenor. Follow this lane to the harbourside.

Northney (or North Hayling village) lies in the quiet agricultural corner of north east Hayling Island. It is bordered on the harbour side by the important nature sites of North Common, Northney Marshes and Gutner Point and on the island side by fertile farmland. Known in the past as the cottage village, this unpretentious village grew around a church, St Peters Church, and four farms. One working farm remains. The other three farmhouses are now picturesque residences. Spared any major development, the village is a kaleidoscope of architecture from the twelfth century to the present day, with fine examples from the eighteenth and nineteenth century.

St Peters Church dates from 1140. Pillars stand on roughly shaped boulders, similar to those excavated in archaeological digs from a Roman Temple whose ruins lie under farmland just yards to the west of the church. The temple itself is sited over an Iron Age structure. The church's set of three bells cast in the fourteenth centry are amongst the oldest in the country. St Peters has a ghost, a sailor drowned crossing the Wadeway in stormy conditions, keen to make his way home from an especially hard action packed voyage in His Majesty's Service. His presence can be felt sitting in the back pew, enjoying the peace of the outstandingly attractive interior of St Peters. The interior is unchanged since 1250. Admire also the 150 hassocks embroidered by hand to mark the millenium, depicting badges and emblems of the military services, charitable and other organisations, and some local scenery. The grave of Princess Yourievsky, a member of the ill fated Russian royal family, who lived in North Hayling for many years can be found in the churchyard.

Although access to the foreshore is limited, there are several short, lovely walks. The limited access gives the north east shores of Hayling Island a largely undisturbed area of intertidal estuarine habitat of particular importance to migrating and wintering birdlife. Its solitude, in addition, favours many varieties of insect, butterfly and wetland plants, some immigrants from more Mediterranean climates.

Contact
www.nehra.org.uk

Prinsted village

Prinsted is now really a hamlet of the small village of Southbourne but the remaining examples of fine architecture to be found in its interesting variety of houses speaks for its former importance.
History

None of the villages receive a mention in the Domesday Book but it is likely that a mill stood at Nutbourne. This mill is recorded throughout the Middle Ages and in the 1690s a quay was built alongside it. Many of the small ketches that were able to reach the busy mill probably carried cargoes of grain, for the produce of the fertile hinterland that had sparked off the rash of harbourside mills was no longer sufficient alone to feed the thriving industry. It is likely that the mill ran off the waters of the Hambrook. This stream can still form an obstacle for those wishing to investigate the hamlet lying south of the main road for it flows quite deeply across one of the two small approach roads.

Unlike Nutbourne which now consists largely of modern houses, Prinsted has retained many of its old thatched homesteads. The big brick and stone manor house bears a panel inscribed I&SG 1663 although the foundations and some of the flint work are believed to be older. Other houses in the village show the remains of timber framing, now infilled with brick and flint rubble but which may date from the 1500s.
Things to do

* Prinsted is a good start point for walks and has the bonus teas served at the Southbourne Sea Scouts hut most weekends.
* Take a rest on one of the benches by the shoreline and admire the harbour view.

Harbour Story

Southbourne is a modern, busy town with a railway station and shops. It serves the smaller villages of Prinstead and Nutbourne who together once had four flourmills and a quay to receive cargoes of corn and export flour. In 1917 an airfield was laid out at Southbourne where American pilots were trained to fly British heavy bombers to attack Germany.
Access
By car:

Limited parking near the foreshore.
By boat:

access is 1½ hours each side of the high tide.

This is MOD property occupied by the Army. A public footpath gives access around the Island but it is strictly limited to the path.
History

The name means Island of Thorns or thornbushes. Evidence suggests that the island was used as a ritualistic burial ground. In the late Saxon times Thorney was amongst the lands held by Earl Godwine. In 1052 Godwine had cause to flee the country having rebelled against the King. It was from Thorney that he sailed and did not return until the following year.

When the Domesday survey was undertaken 34 years later, Thorney had been granted to Bishop Obsern of Exeter. He had sublet it to a man called Malger who had further sub divided the land amongst six other tenants.

Thorney was not a wealthy village, on the contrary in the 1300s the people had to be excused payment of their taxes to the King. The church was evidently largely to blame for the rector had a prior entitlement to numerous tithes.

Thorney Church dedicated to St Nicholas sits on the very edge of the island. It is generally said that the church was built in the 1100s by Bishop Warlewaste. Certainly when the church was built the water was not so near. In the 1340s many acres were lost from villages all around the harbour and even in the 1800s Thorney could be seen to be diminishing. An attempt was made to reclaim the Thorney Channel in the late 1800s and the stakes that supported the failed embankment can still be seen.

In 1870 Thorney was successfully joined to the mainland by reclamation of 178 acres which are bisected by the old channel - the Great Deep. The Royal Airforce took over Thorney in 1935 and a complex of houses, hangars and runways were built.
Today

The Island is a base for the Army so it not accessible to the public other than on the perimeter footpath.
Things to do

* Walk the 7 miles around the island for spectacular harbour views and a good place for bird watching.
* Visit the church of St Nicholas. The church and cemetery are now accessible for the public. If the church is open you are welcome to go inside. Sailors can come ashore at the jetty.

Harbour Story

Island of Thorns was once much bigger than it is now. In the late 1800s an attempt was made to reclaim the land by building an embankment across the channel but it failed. Now only the stakes mark where the sea broke through. In 1935 the RAF built an airfield that is still there - but the airfield at Dell Quay, built for WWII has been reclaimed to farmland.
Access
Only by foot

Go through the security gates and follow the footpath.

The village lies to the east of the entrance to Chichester Harbour, behind the sand spit of East Head. Summer finds the village thronged with visiting tourists drawn by the beautiful sandy beaches.
History

Since it stands at the harbour mouth it seems quite likely that the Romans founded some kind of small coastal defence here and certainly there were other fortifications in later times.

In 683AD there arrived in the South Saxon territory an exiled Bishop of York called Wilfrid. He sought refuge with King Aethelwalch at Selsey and was favourably received for his visit, which coincided with the end of a long drought.

Wilfrid subsequently won over to Christianity the people of this, the last pagan out-post in England. With Aethelwalch's encouragement Wilfrid established a Cathedral at Selsey and the Witterings within an area of land that the King granted to him for its support. The cathedral whose See William 1 transferred to Chichester, still holds the manor of West Wittering, or Cakeham. The main architecture of the manor house dates from most centuries since the sixteenth. Dominating the building is a brick tower built by Bishop Sherborne in the early 1500s, but parts of the older medieval undercroft and hall survive.

Over the years the sea has given up a strange variety of treasures, ranging from the flotsam of broken ships to their cannons and anchors and other valuable cargoes. One wonders if all the wine and brandy washed ashore can really have come from sunken vessels, for amongst the the clever deceits of the smugglers was the trick of allowing the tide to land their wares. So popular was Snowhill Creek with the free-traders that a watch-house and coastguard cottages were built to counter this trade.

Over the centuries much land has been washed away into the sea. East Winner bank was once Cockbush Common a valuable rabbit-warrant, and many other acres have been washed away likewise. The effects of coastal erosion are still felt at East Head which is under constant threat of being washed away.
Today

This small village is like many around the harbour quiet in the winter months and incredibly busy in the summer when crowds of day trippers visit the beaches. A thriving windsurfing club has grown up at West Wittering.
Things to do

* Spend a day on the sandy beach - follow the signs to the car park where you will also find a café, toilets, showers and beach goods.
* Learn to windsurf or kitesurf - contact the West Wittering Windsurfing Club on 01243 512552 or www.2xs.co.uk.
* Explore the dunes - visit the National Trust site of East Head and spend an afternoon exploring this unique habitat - look out for Sand Lizards! Access via the West Wittering Beach car park.
* Have afternoon tea or a meal on the wooden terrace at The Beach House tel: 01243 514800.
* Take a bucket and crab line and spend a pleasant hour catching crabs at the crab pool.

Harbour Story

The village lies to the east of the entrance to Chichester Harbour behind a sand spit named East Head. Probably the Romans landed on the shore behind the dunes, perhaps one end of Stane Street is there leading to London.

The old East Head was so steep and high with sand and shingle that cargoes could be landed straight onto the top. Even today West Wittering creek is a Board of Trade Harbour - although the coastguard cottages are now in private ownership.

The watch-house used by the customs men has been replaced by a row of beach huts for holidaymakers. The effect of coastal erosion is still changing the shape of East Head. The East Winner Bank was once Cockbush Common - now we fear with every high tide and southerly gale the sea will break through to the creek.
Access
By road:

Take the A286 south from Chichester and follow for about 7 miles.
By bus:

Service 53 and 52 from Chichester and Bracklesham. Check with the bus station for times.
By boat:

There is an anchorage at the north of East Head.

Walking around Chichester Harbour is always a joy. There are over 90km of public rights of way through the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Many of these paths run right along the shoreline giving fantastic views of the water. Others cut across farmland and through the picturesque harbour villages.

Below are brief descriptions of walks, the full details can be downloaded as pdf documents. We recommend using OS Explorer Map 120 (Chichester) when walking in this area. All of these walks have been taken from A Walker's Guide: Chichester Harbour which can be purchased from the Harbour Office or local tourist offices for £4.

Alternatively join one of the guided walks sponsored by Chichester Harbour Conservancy

Across the Harbour 10km / 6 miles

A one way walk across the top of the harbour channels ending in the vibrant village of Emsworth. This can be extended as a continuation of the Chichester to Bosham walk.

Chichester Marina to Dell Quay 7.5km / 4.5 miles

A figure-of-eight walk taking in one of the largest marinas in the country and the tiny village of Dell Quay which was once a busy commerical port.

Chichester to Bosham 7km / 4 miles

Starting in the heart of Chichester, this one-way walk leads through urban outskirts to the meadows at Fishbourne. The route then takes in sections of the shoreline before it reaches the ancient village of Bosham. This walk can be extended by following 'Across the Harbour'.

Start Point
Chichester Cathedral, West Street, Chichester.

By Road
There are a number of car parks in Chichester.

By Bus
Bus stops in West Street serve most of the routes into the City including the 700 Coastliner. The stops are very close to the Cathedral. The return bus from Bosham to Chichester is Service 56. This is an hourly service running Monday to Saturdays but not on Bank Holidays. Please check for up to date details.

By Rail
From Chichester station walk north towards the Cross and then turn left into West Street, the Cathedral is on your left.

Refreshments
Lots of pubs, restaurants and cafes in Chichester. In Bosham there are two teashops and a pub.

Toilets
In Tower Street, Chichester opposite the Cathedral and in Bosham car park.

Tides
The path through the reedbeds just after point 4 floods when the tide is
4.8m or higher.

Chidham Circular 8km / 5 miles

A circular walk with some of the best panoramic views of the harbour. There is always something to watch on the water, whether it is groups of young people learning to sail or birds diving for fish.

Start Point
Cobnor Farm Amenity car park.

By Road: From the A259 turn south onto Chidham Lane. Keep on this road signposted towards Chidham East. After a mile turn left into the Amenity car park. If you reach the sign
for Cobnor House you have gone too far.

Refreshments
The Old House at Home

Tides
The shoreline section to the southwest floods when the tide is 4.5m or higher. Aim to reach it two hours before or after high tide.

Emsworth to Langstone 8km / 5 miles

This walk uses shoreline paths and an inland route passing Warblington Church and an attractive area of woodland. There are plenty of benches on this route, so take time to stop and admire the view.

Start Point
The Quay, Emsworth or The Ship Langstone
(The walk directions take you from Emsworth to Langstone but it is fully described in both directions so you can start the walk just as easily from Langstone).

By Road
Emsworth - There is a pay and display car park in South Street, Emsworth. From there turn right and you will shortly reach the Quay.

Langstone - There is a free car park at The Ship which is on the left just before the bridge onto Hayling Island.

Tides
Tide times must be consulted as part of the shoreline floods when the tide is higher than 4.2m. Avoid walking at least
one hour either side of the high tide.

Itchenor Circular 6km / 4 miles

A walk encircling the harbour village of Itchenor, passing through farmland, attractive housing and along the shoreline path with splendid views of the harbour.

Extra Items of Interest
Little Egrets

These bright white birds look like small herons. They only started coming here in the 1990s, previously they spent most of their time further south in Mediterranean countries. Chichester Harbour now has the second largest colony
of Little Egrets in the UK with over 200 in 2006. In the harbour they can be seen
on marshy fields near the shoreline as well as on the intertidal area.

Itchenor Park Farm
Look out for the red brick farm bulding. This was originally the carriage house to
the country house called Itchenor Park. One of Charles II’s descendants, Charles
Lennox, Duke of Richmond, bought Itchenor Park and established a farm here. Evidence of this can be seen by the royal coat of arms on two of the farm buildings. The first you may see is dated 1783 and the second, dated 1778, is closest to the farm wall. Charles II gave Itchenor House to one of his mistresses. Charles also had other, more nautical connections with Itchenor. His Royal Yacht, Tubbs, (also reputed to be the nickname of his mistress), was based at Itchenor.

Chichester Harbour Conservancy

At the end of the walk you will pass the Harbour Office, the base for Chichester Harbour Conservancy.

The Conservancy was established in 1971. It is in the unique position of being both the harbour authority and responsible for managing the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Northney Explorer 7.5km / 4.5 miles

Having crossed the busy bridge onto Hayling Island you soon reach the tranquility of Northney. The 12th century church with its pretty courtyard makes a pleasant midway resting spot before continuing through farmland to a short stretch of the shoreline.

Start Point
The Ship pub, Langstone.

By Road
There is a free public car park at The Ship which is on the left just before the bridge onto
Hayling Island.

Refreshments
The Ship and The Royal Oak, Langstone.

Toilets
In the car park at Langstone.

Nutbourne Circular 6.5km / 4 miles

This walk starts at Chidham then crosses fields to reach the harbour shoreline. From the shoreline there are fine views across to Thorney Island. From Prinsted the walk wends its way back past a small orchard and across farmland.

Start Point
The Barleycorn pub on the corner of Cot Lane, Chidham.

By Road
Turn south off the A259 into Cot Lane. There is a small
parking area at the top of Cot Lane.

Refreshments
The Barleycorn, Chidham.

Toilets
No public toilets.

Thorney Island Circular 13.5km / 8.5 miles

The ideal walk for those who love sea views. However, go prepared as there aren't any shops or refreshments stops once on the island.

Two Villages and a Ferry 16km / 10 miles

Starting in the village of Bosham, the walk cuts across the peninsula then passes through reedbeds to a traditionally managed meadow. Heading down the Fishbourne Channel the route goes through Dell Quay before arriving at Itchenor to catch the ferry across the channel.

In the heart of the beautiful South Downs is England’s leading museum of historic buildings and traditional rural life. Over 45 rescued historic buildings bring to life the homes, farms and workplaces of the south east over the past 500 years. Visit the medieval farmstead, working Tudor kitchen and 17thC watermill. Plus heavy horses, café, picnic area, shop. Dogs on leads welcome.

OPEN THROUGHOUT THE YEAR: Apr to Oct daily 10.30am-6pm, winter opening Nov to Mar, times vary, please call or see website for details Tel: 01243 811348. www.wealddown.co.uk

West Wittering Beach & East Head 6km / 4 miles

A walk along the sandy beach of West Wittering and around the sand dunes of East Head with far-reaching views across to the Isle of Wight.

West Wittering Blue Flag beach is the best natural uncommercialised sandy beach within easy reach of central London. The extensive acres of neatly mown grass are perfect for parking, a picnic/barbeque and for impromptu games.

Cars may park very close to the beach and there is plenty of space to do whatever visitors wish. Swimming is relatively safe and lifeguards are on duty May-September. First Aid facilities are provided. The beach is popular with wind and kite surfers.

The area is internationally recognised for its wild, natural beauty and wildlife. During the Autumn and Winter months, visitors can enjoy exhilarating walks and beautiful scenery. At the end of the beach is the National Trust's East Head sand-dune spit.

West Wittering to Itchenor Circular 7.5km / 4.5 miles

Starting in the pretty village of West Wittering, this walk then follows a little used lane down to the shoreline. From the shoreside path there are fine views across to Bosham and the South Downs. The second half of the walk passes through a farm and across fields to complete the circuit.

West Dean is a unique community, a creative mix of artists and craftspeople, conservators and restorers, working alongside gardeners, farmers, foresters and builders.

West Dean College is part of the Edward James Foundation, a charitable trust located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in south-east England.

Some 6 miles south of Midhurst and 6 miles north of the historic city of Chichester and 12 miles from the south coast. It is within reach of the cross-channel ferries from Portsmouth, Dover and Newhaven. There is easy road and rail access from London (65 miles) and Gatwick and Heathrow airports.

Travelling by car.
The Gardens, restaurant, garden and gift shop and Sussex Barn Gallery are all accessible via the Gardens entrance on A286 which is clearly signposted from the road. There is a free car park for cars and coaches which includes spaces for disabled visitors. West Dean College and the Conference Centre are accessible via West Dean College entrance. There is a car park with spaces for disabled visitors. If you are using a satellite navigation system key the following postcode, PO18 ORX, to find West Dean Gardens.

About Edward James

Edward James was born in 1907 into a world of privilege. He inherited the West Dean Estate on the untimely death of his father in 1912. He is perhaps best known as a passionate supporter of Surrealism, a movement that was born from the political uncertainty and upheaval between the wars. Surrealist artists escaped into a world of fantasy and irrationality. Edward was an early enthusiast of Surrealist artists and supported them by building up a collection of paintings and art objects that subsequently came to be accepted as one of the finest collections of surrealist work in private hands. He also provided practical help, supporting Salvador Dalí for about two years and allowing Magritte to stay in his London house to do some paintings.

His intellectual interest in surrealism is demonstrated by his sponsorship of "Minotaure", a lavish Surrealist magazine published in Paris. His refurbishment of his home, Monkton House, close to West Dean House, was a Surrealist dream. It included a large sofa to which Dalí gave the form and colour of Mae West's lips. Edward also collaborated with Dalí on the lobster telephone.

Edward James was also a poet and writer, producing his own works, setting up a publishing house and launching John Betjeman's first book of verse. A fan of ballet, he helped finance a series of Balanchine productions. Later in his life he created a series of surreal concrete constructions at his Mexican estate, Xilitla. The palaces, temples, pagodas and fountains, populated with exotic creatures such as flamingos and boa constrictors, are a testament to his vivid but unconventional imagination.

Edward also had a strong affinity with trees and was an avid orchid collector. He died in 1984 and it is fitting that he is buried in the arboretum where he also kept his golden pheasants. His Cumbrian slate grave stone is inscribed with the simple words Edward James, Poet 1907-1984.

Get Nose to Beak with Nature!

Have a fantastic day out seeing, feeding and learning about wetland birds. Hundreds of the world's most spectacular ducks, geese and swans reside in more than 60 beautiful acres of lakes, reed beds and ponds. WWT Arundel is home to the rarest goose in the world - the Nene, and it is the only site in the world outside of New Zealand where Blue Ducks have bred. The centre also features a large viewing gallery, lakeside restaurant,& gift shop.

WWT Arundel - the most complete year round wildlife experience in Sussex!

Beadazzle was opened in May 2002 by Dawn Scott; inspired from her travels abroad.

The shop has been a great success; with high customer demands it has grown and grown. Today's shop is now home to over 2500 jars of beads from all over the world, threads, thongs, findings, tools and books. There are also a huge array of ready made items including jewellery, kits, cushion covers and beaded picture frames. If we don't stock what you need Dawn will try to locate it for you.

Dawn has designed the shop in a friendly style where you can find everything you need easily. You can sit at the workbench to make your project or watch DVD's on different techniques. There is always a member of staff around to assist should you need any help.

beadazzle is a fun, friendly exciting shop to visit for people of all ages.

Feeling creative? Then Doodle & Daub is the place to visit. We have pottery, fabric and wood to paint, simply choose your item and create your own work of art. The price shown on the item includes use of a disposable apron, paint, brushes, stamps, glazing or varnish. We also have a special ‘item of the month’ on offer, hold parties, undertake commissions and can help you with Signature Gifts for that special occasion.

Simply Sequins Ltd. specialises in all kinds of sequins; our range has been selected with embroidery, beadwork, creative textiles, fashion and cardcraft in mind. In addition to our online shop we regularly trade at craft fairs throughout the south of England

In 2007 we supplied the cog shaped sequins that rained from the sky in the 'vodafone' advert 'Drip drip drop little April showers ...' . Other clients include some of the UKs leading greetings card manufacturers, top fashion designers, textile artists and costume departments.

Simply Sequins is managed and co-owned by Karen Veck, who started her first business - French Knot Studio - in 2004. The two businesses now complement one another, with French Knot Studio selling creative textile supplies including Texere Yarns, Valdani variegated threads, Madeira and recycled sari silk yarns.

French Knot Studio has an outlet at the Bosham Walk Arts & Crafts Centre, West Sussex. A selection of the Simply Sequins range is available at Bosham Walk.

Karen is a member of the Embroiderers' Guild and trades at guild meetings and events, Quilters Guild meetings and textile classes. She also demonstrates a variety of different techniques using Angelina Fibres at her 'Fun with Fibres' workshops. To contact Karen about trading or demonstrating at a show or event email karen@simplysequins.co.uk

* All of the sculpture on display is the unique work of either John or Chris Letts.
* A distinctive blend of contemporary and traditional figure sculpture.
* Original sculptures.
* Exclusive limited edition collection.

On the ground floor you will find an excellent permanent display of the work of John and Chris Letts, a father and son sculpture partnership. The sculptures are on exhibition to be enjoyed and are also available for purchase, with prices from £20. Designs are created of a size suitable to grace any home. Chris Letts is often at the craft centre working on his latest sculpture and is always happy to talk about his work with interested visitors.

John Letts

Birmingham born sculptor John Letts studied at Birmingham College of Art, where he developed his sculptural appreciation of the human form and over the years his work developed a distinctive style full of romance and beauty.

John's work is now exhibited all over the UK and collected by many patrons throughout the world. Commissions have included a bronze statue of the novelist George Eliot for Nuneaton town centre and a portrait head of H.R.H. Queen Elizabeth II, involving two sittings with the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

Chris Letts

Chris Letts, inherited a love of sculpture from his father John, who proved to be a great source of encouragement and inspiration. Chris studied at art college where he also developed an interest in graphics which led to a successful career in graphic design.

Today, Chris focuses his attentions to sculpture, and seeks to create work blending contemporary and traditional figure study, reflecting a strong sculptural affinity with the human form. Chris exhibits widely and his sculpture is collected by many patrons throughout the UK.

We carry a large stock of maritime and landscape originals in oils, watercolours and acrylics, by the well known artist Ken Hammond. We also sell limited edition and open prints, mounted or framed. Prices start at just £49 for an original oil painting, or talk to us about commissioning a painting of your favourite subject at only a 10% premium on a similar stock picture.

Barbara and Ken have over 50 years of teaching experience behind them. Barbara was Head of a Hearing Impaired Unit in a Junior School, whilst Ken was Head of Learning Support in a Secondary School, where he also taught geography. They have now combined their enthusiasm for photography with their love of our wonderful surroundings, to try and capture ‘moments in time’ that depict the history, culture and beauty of our environment.

Many photographs are produced as limited editions.

You will also see a range of quality art work, produced by local artists, using a range of mediums.

After moving from London to Chichester during the summer of 2003, Rosie Morgan began working at Bosham Walk. Her principle interest is in portraiture and she specialises in painting children. She has four children of her own.

“My portraits are a collaboration between parent, child and artist. It would be unreasonable to expect a child to sit for any length of time or to be totally natural and at ease with a virtual stranger. So I work from photographs preferably chosen by the parent as a characteristic representation. These are quite often snapshots that capture a fleeting moment in the life of the growing child.

I focus in on the face, working on a 15x15cm canvas – life scale; transcribing the photographic image into an oil painting. The resultant work - though a product of intense observation - is not cold photographic realism. It is a personal and empathetic response both to the face of the child and the motivation that wished to see this image preserved.”

If you would like to commission a portrait please email – or telephone

Prices:

£150.00 15x15cm oil painting

£70.00 Approx A4 size drawing

If you are interested in the best of British crafts then a visit to World
of Wood is well worth it. We pride ourselves on having an extensive range
of the finest wooden crafts on the South Coast. We also make our own range
of wooden educational jigsaws, names and other teaching aids.

With over 35 suppliers of various wooden crafts we are sure there will be
something to interest everybody, whatever their age or interests.
The majority of the items on display are one-offs, made by our talented
suppliers, who are both local makers and from all over the British Isles.
We would recommend that you make regular visits to the shop, as on every
visit you will find something different to see. This is because we visit
local and national craft fairs to find new and unusual crafts. Also our
local suppliers come to us with their latest creations.

Our range includes:-

* 'Sensuous' and imaginative woodturning
* Organisers and photograph albums
* Exclusive Bosham jigsaws - with a difference
* Needlecraft tools and accessories
* House name & number boards
* Mediaeval style pole lathe work
* Assorted boxes
* Jewellery
* Wood carvings
* 'Flying' bird mobiles

* Greetings Cards
* Automata
* Marquetry
* Dolls House miniatures
* Mirrors
* Wooden flowers
* Walking sticks
* Decorative fretwork
* Brain teasers
* Domesticware

If there is something special that you want then we will do our best to meet your requirements

World of Wood also has a large range of traditional wooden toys and games, with an age range from new born babies to teenagers, and those always young at heart.
* Educational toys and jigsaws
* Extensive range of stencils

* Name jigsaws and door name plates
* Teaching aids


Our speciality is making one off items for special needs children and adults.