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Walking the Chichester Canal
Route facts
Waterways:
Chichester Canal »
Distance: 4.97 miles / 8 km
Duration: Two/three hours
Difficulty: Easy
Starts at: Cutfield Bridge Birdham Road bus available from Chichester Canal Basin
Ends at: Chichester Canal Basin
The Chichester Canal started life as part of the Portsmouth & Arundel Canal - and an essential component in the water route from London to Portsmouth and the South Coast. This walk explores the canal from Chichester Canal to the Channel.\
Getting there
Parking: Car parks are available in Chichester.
Public transport: Bus numbers 52 and 53 run from Chichester Bus Station past the canal bridge on Birdham Road, where you should alight.
Waypoints
Alight from the bus. From here, you can walk back to Chichester directly along the canal, but we suggest you first take a look at the last mile of canal to the Chichester Channel. For this, cross the road and take the footpath to the right-hand side of the canal. Continue down towards Chichester Marina, along a public footpath.
Easting: 483126, Northing: 101007
The walk passes Manhood End Lock, with a swing-bridge close by. This was called Casher, after a canal shareholder. Below the lock, the canal gets progressively less weeded, and the first of several houseboats are encountered. To your right are countless yachts in the yacht basin. The next bridge is Egremont: beyond, the path reaches Salterns Sea Lock, which bars the way to both boat and walker.
Easting: 482676, Northing: 101154
When ready, return to the main road by the bus stop, cross and take the towpath on the right-hand side of the canal. At Selsey Road, Crosbie Bridge is also infilled with the canal culverted - posing a major headache to the would-be canal restorers.
Easting: 486495, Northing: 102215
As you reach Hunston, the canal turns sharply left. Follow the path ahead and turn left for 75 yards. You have now crossed the original main line that headed towards Arundel. Turn left again across a fixed bridge, and rejoin the towpath, now on the left side. Anywhere here, you may encounter the Chichester Ship Canal Trust's bright green trip-boat Egremont, busy carrying passengers.
Easting: 486495, Northing: 102215
