June Walks Giveaway: West Itchenor & West Wittering, West Sussex

This walk is reproduced from our popular walking book 'West Sussex Pub Walks'

📥 To download this walk and take it with you, click here!

West Itchenor & West Wittering, West Sussex

Distance: 7 miles

WALK HIGHLIGHTS 

The picturesque sailing village of West Itchenor sits on the eastern shores of Chichester Harbour which is designated as an Area of Wetland of International Importance as well as being an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; just two of its accolades. The area has much to offer, not just for the sailors who anchor here, but also for walkers and birdwatchers. It is home to the Chichester Harbour Conservancy that oversees the harbour as a nature reserve where sailors, walkers and wildlife co-exist peacefully. After leaving the pub, the route soon crosses level fields to meet West Wittering where a road leads you through the village to meet the coast. The way then turns and continues along a mile of golden sands before meeting and following the water’s edge of the Chichester Channel. 

RECOMMENDED PUB (in case you’re reading this in the future, when pubs are open again) 

The Ship Inn is in the heart of the village and being only 200 yards from the water’s edge is popular with sailors mooring here and walkers enjoying the New Lipchis Way long-distance path that passes close by. Very popular
at weekends so best to book in advance. 

HOW TO GET THERE & PARKING 

West Itchenor is south-west of Chichester. From the A27 bypass, follow the A286 south and at a roundabout go ahead on the B2179 before forking right on the signed Itchenor road. Sat Nav: PO20 7AH.

Park at The Ship Inn, with permission, or in the signed pay and display car park 50 yards before meeting the pub.

Map: OS Explorer OL8 Chichester, South Harting & Selsey
Grid Ref: SU799013

THE WALK 

1. From the pub, walk back along the village street, passing interesting individually designed houses. At a sharp left bend in the road turn right, pass the entrance drive to Itchenor Park Farmhouse and follow a well-trodden path signed as the Salterns Way to the rear of the village Memorial Hall.

The Salterns Way is a 12-mile (19km) cycle route from the centre of
Chichester to the beach at West Wittering.

2. The path soon meets and continues alongside arable fields. Keep to the path after crossing a concrete farm drive until it eventually meets a T-junction with a wide track known as Sheepwash Lane.

3. Turn right and continue along Sheepwash Lane until it meets with a road. Cross the road to the pavement opposite and turn right. Now follow this pavement into West Wittering village.

Pass the Memorial Hall and later, The Old House At Home pub. Ignore side roads.

4. As you begin to leave the village behind, look out for Berrybarn Lane on your right. Turn right along this private road that is alsoa public bridleway and, at its end, pass a gate and go ahead to meet the golden sands of West Wittering beach, that must be a contender for the best in southern England. 

5. Turn right and walk along the beach for about a mile. Soon after passing the last of the beach huts, look out for a tall beacon and 50 metres later climb the shingle bank to enter a car park.

6. Go ahead over a turning area and continue between posts to meet a well-trodden path between trees. This path is the New Lipchis Way long-distance path that after 3 miles brings you back to West Itchenor.

The New Lipchis Way long-distance path is 39 miles long, beginning in Liphook, Hampshire and ending here at the mouth of Chichester Harbour. The name is an amalgam of the two town names.

7. Keep ahead on the path when you meet an area of grassland with houses to your right.

8. Pass through a gate and continue through a second on your immediate left.

9. Follow the path between gardens to meet a short drive with a kissing gate at its end. Press on along the path ignoring the occasional side path to eventually pass through a boatyard to rejoin the village street with The Ship Inn to your right.

PLACES OF INTEREST NEARBY 

Fishbourne Roman Palace & Gardens is 1 mile west of Chichester off the A259 in the village of Fishbourne. The site displays the largest and most spectacular collection of in-situ floor mosaics in Britain. Also recreated here are what are thought to be the earliest Roman gardens in the country. 

← Previous Post Next Post →