Walks from Fishbourne

Circular walks, harbour paths, and countryside routes

Fishbourne is an excellent base for walking, with routes that range from a short stroll to the harbour shore to full-day walks on the South Downs. The flat coastal plain provides easy going underfoot, and the network of public footpaths and quiet lanes gives walkers plenty of options.

The most popular short walk from the village heads south to Dell Quay, following the lane through flat farmland to the waterfront. The round trip is about three miles and can be extended by following the harbour shore path towards Apuldram or eastward towards Chichester Marina. The walk is suitable for all abilities and is particularly pleasant on a fine evening when the harbour is full at high tide.

A longer circuit takes in Old Fishbourne, the harbour shore, Apuldram, and the Chichester Canal, returning via the lanes to the north of the village. This walk is about five miles and provides a good mix of harbour views, farmland, and canal-side walking.

The harbour shoreline path west of Dell Quay leads towards Bosham, passing through saltmarsh and along sea walls with views across the harbour to Thorney Island and Hayling Island. This section can be muddy at high tide and is best walked at low water when the path is clear and the mudflats are alive with feeding birds.

For longer walks, the South Downs are accessible within a short drive. The climb onto the downs from Lavant or West Dean takes walkers to the ridge path with views across the coastal plain to the harbour and the sea beyond. The Trundle, an Iron Age hillfort above Goodwood, is a popular destination and can be reached from Fishbourne via a seven-mile circuit.