Chichester Harbour: East Head, Harbour Villages & the Best Walks

Chichester Harbour is a great natural harbour on the border of West Sussex and Hampshire, a maze of creeks, mudflats and salt marshes reaching inland from the sea towards Chichester. It is protected as the Chichester Harbour National Landscape.

Why Chichester Harbour Is Special

Chichester Harbour is one of the most beautiful stretches of the south coast: wide water, sailing boats, wading birds, and little harbour villages with quays and waterside inns.

At its mouth, the sand dunes of East Head and the long beach at West Wittering are among the loveliest in the South.

The History of Chichester Harbour

The harbour divides into the Emsworth Channel, the Thorney Channel and the Chichester Channel, which branches into Bosham Lake and Itchenor Reach. Around its shores lie the villages of Bosham, Dell Quay, West Itchenor, Emsworth and West Wittering, among others.

At the eastern side of the harbour entrance, East Head is a sand and shingle spit with dunes, cared for by the National Trust, a place of geographical and conservation interest that is constantly being reshaped by the sea.

Much of the harbour and its shores are protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for their birds and habitats.

What to See & the Best Walks at Chichester Harbour

Walk from the West Wittering beach car park out to the dunes of East Head, then along the beach. Take a harbour boat trip from Itchenor to see the creeks and seals.

Walk the shore path between Dell Quay, Bosham and Itchenor, and see our guide to Bosham for its Saxon church and quay.

Wildlife at Chichester Harbour

Each winter thousands of brent geese arrive from the Arctic, along with waders such as curlews and godwits. Seals can be seen on the sandbanks. Please keep to paths and keep dogs close.

Gardens, Countryside & Antiques near Chichester Harbour

Chichester is a short drive away; see our guide to Chichester, with Neptune Chichester and Winter's Moon. West Dean Gardens lie north of the city.

The ancient yews of Kingley Vale are on the Downs above; see our guide to Kingley Vale.

Chichester Harbour Through the Seasons

Spring brings migrating birds. Summer is the season for sailing and beach days at West Wittering. Autumn and winter bring the brent geese and the quietest, most atmospheric days on the harbour.

Getting to Chichester Harbour

Chichester and Bosham stations are near the harbour, with buses to the Witterings and Itchenor. The West Wittering beach car park fills early in summer.

Chichester Harbour: Questions & Answers

Where is East Head?

At the eastern side of the entrance to Chichester Harbour, next to West Wittering beach. It is cared for by the National Trust.

When can you see brent geese at Chichester Harbour?

In winter, when thousands arrive from the Arctic.

Our Advice

Our advice: Book a harbour boat trip from Itchenor, walk out to East Head at low tide, and come back in winter for the brent geese.