Visit Nutbourne, Prinsted, Southbourne & Emsworth

Nutbourne, Prinsted, Southbourne and Emsworth can found in the north-east corner of Chichester Harbour and the area is a walker's delight. Emsworth, a seaside town with an attractive quay, is just over the county border in Hampshire but very much part of Chichester Harbour's network of settlements. 

Getting to Nutbourne, Prinsted, Southbourne and Emsworth

By Car: Via the A3 or A286 from the north and A27 from east and west.

By Rail: There are train stations in Nutbourne, Southbourne and Emsworth (as well as the neighbouring Harbour Villages of Bosham, Fishbourne) and they are on the direct Southern Railway line to London Victoria and Portsmouth. There is also a direct line between Brighton and Emsworth.

By Bus: No 700 Stagecoach Bus Route between Portsmouth and Chichester connects Nutbourne, Prinsted, Southbourne and Emsworth. The No 56 Stagecoach Bus Route runs between Chichester, Fishbourne, Bosham, Chidham, Nutbourne and Southbourne.

Things to Do in Nutbourne, Prinsted, Soutbourne and Emsworth

Prinsted has a little bay with limited parking and no toilets but it is a good starting point for a shoreline family-friendly walk. During the summer, the sea scouts run a coffee shop from their HQ - The Shoreline Coffee Shop. Throughout the year, on Mondays and Fridays, the Diddy Van van be found here serving great coffee and home bakes from 9am-1pm to the walkers, windsurfers and paddle boarders enjoying the scene. Prinsted has retained many of its old thatched homesteads and it is worth spending some time exploring the historical houses here. 

As you wander along the shoreline to nearby Thornham Marina, why not stop at The Huts for a panini, bacon roll or some soup.

Beyond lies Thorney Island which is a great spot for a stroll with views looking out over Chichester Harbour, Emsworth Channel and even out to the Channel. Park at one of Emsworth's car parks and walk from there. Thorney Island is a military base so there's no public vehicle access nor walking access to the interior but there is a footpath that takes you around the whole peninsular (9 miles). (Currently, the eastern edge of the footpath is closed so you can't complete the circular but it should be open again by spring 2025).

Thorney Island
Image: Thorney Island, @the_little_adventure_boys

Join an Emsworth history tour and find out about how a quiet fishing village grew into the the main port of Chichester Harbour with a successful oyster trade.

Don't miss the annual Orvis Salt Water Fly Fishing Festival every June in and around Chichester Harbour.

Look out for Wemsfest music events throughout the year at venues in and around Emsworth.

Take a peaceful boat trip around Chichester Harbour on the Solar Heritage from Emsworth Quay.

History of Thorney Island

Thorney Island (or Thorn Isle) is more of a peninsular today but until the 19th century it was still an island pretty much only accessible by boat.

RAF Thorney Island was built in 1938 for fighter aircraft and was involved in the Battle of Britain when it was attacked by the Luftwaffe. The station closed as an RAF airfield in 1976 however, the Royal Artillery re-opened the site in 1982.

Tide Tables for the Nutbourne Channel and Emsworth

The tide table for this area is Nutbourne Channel or Emsworth. Note: high tide means the tide is in (less beach) and low tide means it is out (more beach). Be sure to wear suitable footwear when walking around the coast, it can get muddy.


 

Places to Stay, Eat and Things to Do in Nutbourne, Prinsted, Southbourn & Emsworth