The Festival of Harbour Walks is now in its fourth year. This year walkers can enjoy the challenge of completing 36 miles of the Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty shoreline and 11 miles around Langstone Harbour. However, it’s not all hard work, the paths take in stunning coastal scenery and the ever changing tide means that the view will constantly shift throughout the day as the tide comes in over the mudflats and saltmarsh.

Starting on the 12 May, walkers can enjoy the sand dunes of East Head before heading up the eastern shoreline of Chichester Harbour ending at Fishbourne. The following day (13 May) the walk will start at Nutbourne and cover the 13 miles back to Fishbourne via Chidham and Bosham. To complete the Chichester Harbour section on the 14 May, walkers will start at Nutbourne and follow the shoreline path around Thorney Island, through Emsworth and across Langstone Bridge.  Back at Northney they will be welcomed with a tea party to celebrate three full days of walking. The final day of the Festival (15 May), walkers can compare harbours by crossing over to Langstone Harbour and walking the 11 miles from Ferry Point, through Farlington Marshes Nature Reserve and back along the old oyster beds.

Judi Darley who will be leading the Chichester Harbour walks said, ‘I’m really looking forward to this year’s Festival. May is a lovely time to walk around our local shorelines and get the most from our Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Festival means that like-minded walkers can enjoy each others company whilst also taking time to enjoy the views and learn a little more about our two harbours.’  

Walkers can book one or more of the Festival walks. Walks are charged per day to cover transport costs and range from £5 - £10. Where possible breaks have been arranged at local sailing clubs.

Full details are available at www.conservancy.co.uk or from the Harbour Office at Itchenor please call 01243 512301.

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