11th August 2025 Chidham Shore

 

Walk 11th August 2025 Chidham shore walk PO18 8TF Pub: ‘The Old House at Home’ 01243 572477.14 people Anne S., H&J Redmond, R&F Morris, J Lambert [ guest], R.Durham, J&M Etherton, E. Tomlinson, F.Bergman, P&L Graham  leader A P. [ Backer P. Graham – thank you!]

A prompt start from the pub. was needed [10.15 am] to ensure we avoided high tide [13.45] in the shore section later!  A very hot day [31c !] but a light breeze helped to cool us. The ground and flora were very dry, owing to the pervious, rainless weeks but we had clear views over the sea [ dotted with many small dinghies in full sail from the Christian Youth Enterprises Centre] and salt marshes, and saw egrets, a cormorant and harbour seals. Huge areas of teasels as well.

We turned right at the pub and went towards the church; just before which, there is a foot path marked on the right. Followed this with views of already harvested arable fields backed by the S Downs. At a foot path sign on the left we descended to a lane, turned right and came to  Cobnor Amenity car park [ free parking]. Through the car park we went up steps to take a path on the left [a hedge on our right] towards the shore. Lovely view over Bosham with Church spire easily seen. [ See Bayeux Tapestry ! – from here Harold set off for France in 1066]. At the shore line path we turned right and kept going until we reached the Christian Youth Enterprises site where we followed the marked pathways round the site, through a dinghy park to reach a path suitable for wheelchairs. We followed this until a flight of steps led down to the shore. We turned right along the shore then, after passing the shoreline oaks we climbed back, via steps, onto the sandy track above the shore. Here we stopped for our coffee break and were able to see the seals with the help of binoculars that some had with them.  Thorney Island and the entrance to Chichester Harbour were seen along this level stretch and the odd fisherman hoping for mullet or sea bass. We continued for some time until we reached a gate through which we passed to arrive back at shore level on a narrower track above the pebbly shore. Anne S. was particularly excited to see so many tiny crabs in the water! After a short while, with a deep ditch- like stream on our right, we came to a narrow, steep but very short access which crossed a dried up section of the stream then turned right along the opposite bank to follow a signed path heading inland with a hedge on our right. The huge arable fields on our left were already harvested. The path narrowed between hedges to arrive at a road where we turned right to reach the pub. Having ordered our food before setting off and arrived at 1.15pm as expected, the meals arrived promptly and were delicious. The service was excellent, the ambience delightful and the courtyard very pretty – and busy! - as was the village and its 13C church.