West Sussex: Waterways and Heritage

The restored Chichester Canal runs alongside a towpath between Chichester and Birdham. You can take a boat trip there or walk along the canal. Elsewhere, too, water and nature shape the experience of travelling in West Sussex: protected wetlands, landscapes with diverse habitats, and opportunities to explore the area on foot, by bike or from a boat.

Nature between canal, harbour and wetland

Rare invertebrates, bitterns, warblers and wild waterfowl live at Burton Mill Pond in the Burton Mill and Chingford Ponds Local Nature Reserve. Fairmile Bottom Local Nature Reserve is also designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Its habitats include chalk grassland and yew and beech woodland. Together, the two reserves represent different natural environments: wetland species by the pond on the one hand, and open chalk grassland and woodland on the other.

Pagham Harbour Local Nature Reserve is an internationally important wetland. Its landscape includes salt marshes, mudflats, lagoons, reed beds, farmland and a shingle beach. If you are interested in the variety of a wetland, you will find several different habitats here within the same protected area.

Chichester Harbour also brings together nature and water sports. It is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Waterfowl, waders and seals find a habitat there. The sheltered waters are also home to numerous sailing clubs and schools, as well as sailing courses. Depending on your interests, you can focus on wildlife or activities on the water.

History in buildings and landscapes

Chichester Cathedral has been at the heart of life in Chichester for more than nine centuries. It welcomes visitors and pilgrims wishing to discover its significant religious heritage. For help planning your journey, the cathedral is about half a mile from the railway station and takes an average of ten minutes to reach on foot.

The remains of Bramber Castle stand on a high natural hill overlooking the River Adur. Its location commands a passage through the South Downs. Petworth House offers another way to explore history: the magnificent house dates from the 17th century and is home to one of the most important art collections owned by the National Trust. It is set in a 700-acre deer park. A 3-mile (4.8 km) walk takes you through this parkland, with its ancient trees, fallow deer and views towards the South Downs.

At the Weald & Downland Living Museum, rural life over a period of 1,000 years is brought to life through more than 50 rescued historic buildings. At Halnaker Windmill, a Grade 2 listed building, a Second World War observation post and Neolithic earthworks are also linked to the site. These places reveal different aspects of history: religious heritage, castle ruins, a historic house with an art collection, and buildings from everyday rural life.

Getting around: cycling route, walking trail and special experiences

The Wetlands Discovery Boat Safari at WWT Arundel is a guided electric boat trip through waterways, wet meadows and reed beds. As schedules may vary by season, check the latest times before your visit. For cyclists, Salterns Way offers a largely traffic-free, entirely flat 12-mile (19 km) route between Chichester and West Wittering Beach. Bill Way, by contrast, is a signposted one-way route: it runs for about 8 miles from the centre of Chichester to RSPB Pagham Harbour. The details given for the two routes make it possible to compare their length, course and type of route.

If you are planning a longer walk, consider the South Downs Way, a multi-day walking trail with wide panoramic views. For a trip planned around events, Goodwood Estate is home to the Festival of Speed, Goodwood Revival and Glorious Goodwood. Dates vary from year to year, so check the dates for your intended travel year. Goodwood also combines a tour of the State Apartments with a traditional afternoon tea made with organic ingredients from Goodwood Home Farm. Booking arrangements for this tour and tea experience may vary, so it is worth checking in advance as you plan.

Discover more destinations

Pagham, Worthing, Storrington, Steyning, Slinfold, Selsey, Rusper, Pulborough, Petworth, Lancing, Midhurst, Horsham, Henfield, Haywards Heath, East Grinstead, Crawley, Chichester, Shoreham-By-Sea, Hassocks, Hurstpierpoint, Fernhurst, Ford, Thakeham, Burgess Hill, Lindfield, Balcombe, Arundel, Funtington, Trotton, Rake, Wiston, Hunston, West Chiltington, Barnham, Amberley, Wisborough Green, West Wittering, Rustington, Rudgwick, Merston, East Wittering, Birdham, Stedham, Coldwaltham, Madehurst, Plaistow, Billingshurst, Lurgashall, Westbourne, Lyminster, Lower Beeding, Boxgrove, Yapton, Faygate, Ardingly, Findon, Walberton, Southwick, Bolney, Bognor Regis, Ansty, Angmering, Albourne, Littlehampton, Kirdford, Partridge Green, Ferring

For the regional travel overview: South East England.