Old Fishbourne

The historic heart of the village south of the A259

Old Fishbourne is the original core of the village, lying south of the A259 between the main road and the harbour. The settlement here predates the newer development to the north and retains a more rural, village character with narrow lanes, older properties, and proximity to the water.

The church of St Peter and St Mary stands in Old Fishbourne, as does a cluster of period houses and cottages that give this part of the village its character. The lane from Old Fishbourne leads south towards Dell Quay and the harbour shore, and the footpaths from here connect to the wider network around Chichester Harbour.

Old Fishbourne was historically a small agricultural and fishing settlement, taking advantage of both the harbour's resources and the productive farmland of the coastal plain. The name Fishbourne itself suggests the importance of the fishing connection, derived from Old English elements meaning a stream where fish were caught.

The distinction between Old Fishbourne and New Fishbourne is recorded in the Domesday Book, which lists them as separate entries. New Fishbourne, to the north and west, developed later and now forms the larger part of the modern village. But Old Fishbourne retains a sense of being the original settlement, the place where the village started, and the part of Fishbourne that is most connected to the harbour and the land.

Property in Old Fishbourne is sought after, with the period character, the quiet lanes, and the harbour proximity all contributing to its desirability. The area is within the conservation area and subject to planning protections that preserve its character.