Fishbourne Meadows
On this walk, children will enjoy paddling in the river, crossing the wooden footbridges and viewing the large colony of swans that reside here in summer.
Fishbourne Meadows is a popular place to have a paddle
The Basics
Time: 40 mins each way
Distance: 2 km each way
Terrain: Flat coastal paths, meadows, boardwalks, some narrow bridges, gets muddy in winter
Pushchairs: No, terrain is rough, uneven and narrow
Dogs: Yes
Refreshments: The Crown and Anchor Pub at Dell Quay
Toilets: None
Public Transport: The 700 Coastliner stops on the A259 in Fishbourne. From there, you could walk down Mill Lane to Fishbourne Meadows and join the walk at section three below. Fishbourne train station is also a few minutes walk away; walk down Salthill Road and turn left at the A259 and join Mill Lane on your right
Parking: There are a few choices for parking, depending on where you want to start the walk. If you want to walk from Fishbourne to Dell Quay, then park at Fishbourne Church Hall (Postcode: PO19 3 XT - W3W: sculpture/jolt/robot). If you want to walk from Dell Quay to Fishbourne, there is a small amount of parking at the side of the road (Postcode: PO20 7NE W3W: likening/character/tougher). Or, you can park midway along the walk near Apuldram and walk north to Fishbourne Meadows or south to Dell Quay - on approach to Church of St Mary the Virgin, there is a small parking area (Postcode: PO20 7EG - W3W:trustees.trickles.papers)
View of Chichester Harbour National Landscape
Starting from the millpond in Fishbourne, follow boardwalks and bridges across Fishbourne meadows, where you can access the shallow river water. From here, the walk winds its way through The Chichester Harbour National Landscape to the little sailing hub of Dell Quay, where the Crown and Anchor pub is situated perfectly for waterside views and seafood refreshments.
The Route
We decided to start our walk in Fishbourne, so that the pub would be halfway along before we turned back. The church hall car park was closed for a private function, so we parked on Mill Close off Mill Lane. This meant that we could start our walk by Fishbourne Millpond. At the end of Mill Lane, we turned left through the iron kissing gate and followed the mill stream out through another gate into Fishbourne Meadows. We stopped at the two bridges photographed to play at the water. If you start at the church hall, there is a footpath behind the church that will take across a small field to the same bridges at Fishbourne Meadows.
If coming from Mill Lane, you will pass the first bridge on your left and go over the second bridge straight ahead at the end of a boardwalk. If you came from the church hall, you will need to cross the first bridge, turn left at the boardwalk and then cross the second bridge. After the bridges, go through the gate.
Follow little board walks across the marshy ground ahead of you. The water of Chichester Harbour will be to your right. After a little plank bridge takes you over a particularly wet spot, the path will veer around to the left and then go over a little wall with a drainage chute. Go over this and then drop down and go through a wooden kissing gate and onto a long section of boardwalk.
Go through another kissing gate at the end and then continue straight ahead, walking along the sea wall. The water will now be directly to your right. Continue to another kissing gate and walk through an open paddock. Go through the gate at the opposite side and then simply stick with the same path as it takes you past the sailing club and boat yard of Dell Quay and on to the Crown and Anchor. Retrace your steps home.
If you parked at the mid point at the church of St Mary the Virgin, follow the footpath away from the lane walking parallel to pony paddocks. Turn left at the churchyard and follow the path along the edge of a field. You will emerge in the paddock mentioned in section four above and can chose to turn left at the coast path for a short walk to Dell Quay or turn right for a short walk to Fishbourne.
If you park at Dell Quay, simply reverse these directions, and we suggest walking as far as Fishbourne Mill Pond before retracing your steps.
If you want to make the walk longer, you an walk up Dell Quay Road, turn right at the footpath and continue to Chichester Marina and The Boat House café.
Did you know?
Cows graze the meadows at certain times of the year. They eat some of the plants that grow strongly, making space for species that would otherwise be crowded out.
If you enjoyed this walk…
…try this one at Itchenor, which also has views of Chichester Harbour
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