Sport & Outdoor

Lucky enough to encompass sweeping Sussex countryside and windswept coastline, Chichester and surrounding areas makes a wonderful natural playground. It’s also in one of the UK’s sunniest spots.

High-octane watersports

Adrenaline junkies and watersports enthuasists make a beeline for the beaches at West Wittering, East Wittering, Bracklesham Bay and Selsey, the neighbouring beach to East Wittering.  For beginners and the experienced alike, you’ll find plenty of options for equipment hire and expert tuition helpful in getting you out into the waves whether you’re surfing, windsurfing, kiteboarding, kayaking, SUP or even wing foiling.

A destination for sailing

In the picturesque villages of Bosham and Itchenor, perched on the shores of Chichester Harbour you’ll discover a hive of sailing activity. The area is well known as a sailing destination, largely thanks to the sheltered waters of the harbour which make it perfect for day sailing and racing, and also sailing tuition, whether learning the basics or honing your skills. Bosham Sailing Club, Itchenor Sailing Club and Cobnor Activities Centre offer a wide range of sailing courses for adults and children with Royal Yachting Association (RYA) accredited instructors.

In August, thousands of boats take to the water as part of Chichester Harbour Race Week, organised by the Chichester Harbour Federation. Chichester Harbour is one of the busiest locations for dinghy and keelboat racing in the UK, and Race Week is so well attended it’s one of the most popular open regattas in the country. Keep your eyes peeled as you explore the harbour and see if you can spot Olympic Sailors in action.

If all that activity sounds too hectic, join a skippered sail around the harbour and beyond as you relax on board. A great day out to celebration an occasion.

Guided Tours

Local operators run regular guided kayak or SUP (Stand Up Paddle board) tours around Chichester Harbour. There are a great way to get to grips with manoeuvring but also offers a different, and sometimes closer perspective of the wildlife that calls the harbour home. If you’re lucky you might encounter the local of group of harbour seals, though harbour users should ensure to give the seals plenty of space (at least 50 metres) to avoid disturbing them. 

 

Highlights

Snowdrops and Spring Flowers: National Garden Scheme, West Sussex

  • 4 minute read

National Garden Scheme : stunning snowdrops & spring flowers Each year the National Garden Scheme starts the garden visiting season with its inspirational Snowdrop and Spring Flower gardens. Hundreds of gardens sprinkled with snowdrops – these delightful harbingers of spring – and wonderful, colour…

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Sensational West Sussex Dark Skies

  • 5 minute read

Out-of-this-World Stargazing Spots in Chichester and West Sussex There are only 19 International Dark Sky Reserves in the world and the South Downs National Park is one of them. With miles of pristine rolling hills, a collection of Dark Sky Discovery Sites, its own planetarium and an annual Dark…

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Hidden Gems of West Sussex

  • 12 minute read

Beyond the Tourist Trail: Eight Hidden Gems of West Sussex From an abandoned school and the most haunted site in Sussex, to an ‘out-of-bounds’ island and a little-known James Bond set right on our doorstep, we’ve uncovered Sussex’s best-kept secrets to bring you the must-visit sites off the tourist…

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Top Ten Walks in West Sussex

  • 6 minute read

The 5 mile/8km Halnaker Windmill Trail takes in a picturesque tree tunnel or hollow way formed over thousands of years of footfall. The path, Mill Lane, follows the old Roman road between London and Chichester and eventually opens up onto Halnaker Hill. At the top, your climb is rewarded with the…

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Salterns Way

  • 2 minute read

One of the great things about visiting Chichester and the surrounding area is that the flat terrain lends itself to lots of easy cycling, and there is no better way to explore and discover the area’s beauty and sights than by bike. There are many cycle routes in the area, but today we are going to…

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Chichester Harbour - AONB becomes a National Landscape

  • 2 minute read

Chichester Harbour becomes a National Landscape Alongside all other designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) in England and Wales, Chichester Harbour is now a National Landscape. The change of name The change of name is designed to reflect the national importance of these locations and…

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Walking Routes Around Chichester Harbour for Walk All Over Cancer

  • 1 minute read

Chichester Harbour is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty making it a great place to walk and explore whilst achieving your 10,000 steps for Walk All Over Cancer 2021 Chichester Marina to Dell Quay is a fascinating walk with interesting boats and stunning coast. 1.2 mile circular walk with an…

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