Route
Waypoints
Fishbourne Meadows to Inland Path
NOTE: You may come across cattle grazing within Fishbourne Meadows (these were once part of the Roman harbour linked to the palace). Pass through the gate to enter the first meadow and walk diagonally right (between 2 and 3 o'clock) to reach the gate at the furthest right corner of the field. Pass though the kissing gate and walk diagonally right, following the sleepers and then continuing with a fence and stream on your right. As you reach the field corner, go ahead across a large footbridge over the stream, walk ahead for a few paces to reach the raised sleeper path and then turn right along this.
In the corner, go through the metal kissing gate and keep ahead on the stone path between properties, with the stream running on your right. Pass through the next gate and go ahead, passing The Old Mill on the left and the old millpond on your right. Beyond the millpond, the path swings left and then leads you between tall impressive reed beds, crossing three footbridges to reach a fingerpost.
Stay on the signed footpath, to the left, following an embankment with fields to your right and the reed beds within Fishbourne Channel on the left. Soon the reed beds on the left give way to salt marshes and mudflats. With the tide out, the wading birds and stranded boats are the only clues that these mud flats disappear under the sea twice a day. Behind to your left you will have a good view of the spire of Chichester Cathedral in the distance.
Further along, the path leaves the embankment and winds along the edge of the mudflats, leading you through some pretty old oak trees. Continue over a sleeper bridge and beyond this the path bears right, leading you inland.
Marks
Inland Path to Park Lane
The path leads you through a section of dense hedgerow, packed with hawthorn and blackthorn. Beyond the hedgerows, continue straight ahead on the grass track with an open crop field to the right.
At the end of the first field you will come to a T-junction, turn right and follow the grass track between two crop fields. When the crop field on the left ends, turn left and follow the fenced path with a line of tall trees running on your right. At the end of this footpath, you will come to a junction with a quiet country lane, Park Lane.
Bosham Channel to Beach Path
Simply stay on the tarmac path, following the line of the sea wall on your left. The road below this wall floods at high tide and catches out many tourists! Eventually the path leads you between houses and you will emerge to the junction with Bosham Lane, with the Old Town Hall on your left.
Go straight ahead on the small lane, leading you into the heart of the village to reach the pub, Anchor Bleu, on the left. Stay on the same lane which leads you past the village church on your right. Follow the lane over the stream and you will come to a T-junction with Quay Meadow ahead. Turn right along the lane and, just as it is about to swing right, turn left alongside a wooden gate (marked as Private Carriageway), if you look carefully you will notice the public footpath sign hidden in the privet hedge here.
Follow the gravel driveway, swinging right to pass between two properties, then bear left and follow the path down to reach the back of the beach. (NOTE: If the tide is too high to use this path, retrace your steps back to the Old Town Hall, turn left along Bosham Lane and follow it to the junction with Moreton Road, where you can pick up the main route once again).