Guide to visiting Bosham in West Sussex

Step back in time to the peaceful old village of Bosham (pronounced 'Bozzum’), on Chichester harbour for a leisurely afternoon or day out.

EXPLORING OLD BOSHAM:

On foot, as you leave Bosham car park you’ll see Bosham Walk, with Bosham Sweets & Ice Cream at the front. Pick up an ice cream or cold drink there and head left towards the water, turning right onto the High Street. Here, you'll pass what were originally fishermen’s cottages, some with tide boards at their gate to protect them from the extreme high (spring) tides. The only clue to what was once the village store and post office is the post box in wall, which still has collections most days.  

You’ll reach the The Anchor Bleu, originally established in 1741, a traditional pub with flagstone floor, beamed ceiling, fires in winter and sea breezes from its harbourside terrace in Summer. This is a great spot for a meal or a drink, with plenty of atmosphere.

Continue on from the pub to Grade 1 listed Holy Trinity Church, an 11^th century Saxon church and the oldest known place of worship in West Sussex and one of the few buildings in England to be portrayed in the Bayeaux Tapestry. The church’s fascinating history also includes the story of King Canute, whose eight year old daughter drowned in Bosham and is buried in a Saxon coffin at the foot of the chancel steps.

Beyond the church, Quay Meadow is a pretty spot to watch the sailing dinghies and to relax on a bench with your ice cream.

Leaving the meadow, head along the water side (at low tide) past Bosham Sailing Club along Shore Road and continue around the harbour, past The Old Town Hall (c1694, now a private house). You can walk along the raised footpath (the Trippet) past a mix of mostly Victorian cottages on past the old single storey School House (built 1834 as the original National School, now a private house) at the end of the harbour, and continue round the other side of the harbour, following the road for some of the best views back of Bosham village. Tide permitting (and decent footwear) you can walk along the stony shore to Smugglers Lane and the Itchenor ferry.

Alternatively loop back and finish up at our emporium of sweet delights - Bosham Sweets & Ice Cream for a well-deserved ice cream (choose from 11 premium New Forest Ice Cream flavours and 3 Jude’s vegan options), hand-cut fudge, traditional sweets from the jar or Bosham souvenir boxes of fudge or biscuits.  Next door you’ll find Bosham Walk Arts & Craft Centre, two storeys of artisan shops, a pottery studio (Doodle & Daub) as well as more general gift shopping, with Wendy’s Tea Room at the rear for homemade cakes, lunches and cooked breakfast.    

Across the road The Hammond Gallery exhibits and sells the work of professional marine artist Ken Hammond. Next door is bijou coffee shop Pop-In, great for coffee.

If you’re keen to get on the water with your paddleboard or kayak, Bosham slipway at Quay Meadow is the main launch spot, and is managed by the Manor of Bosham (office is at the quay). This is a good location to set off from and explore part of Chichester Harbour.

For crabbing activity please bring your own line, bucket and bait as these are not generally available in the village.

If visiting with dogs please be mindful of the local swan families around the foreshore (there have been fatal attacks). Dog poo bag dispensers and bins are provided on Anchor Lane and on the Trippet. Dog ice cream and reasonably-priced bags of dog treats are available at Bosham Sweets & Ice Cream, which is a dog friendly shop.

Swans and ducks are a delight to watch around the harbour. Bird feed is available at Bosham Sweets & Ice Cream and can be a good way to enjoy the wild birds, supporting them when food is scarcer in cooler months (please don’t get too close to wild birds).

Parking and transport

Bosham car park on Anchor Lane is council-run and offers ticketed (machine or app) parking 7 days a week. (Note: be careful if parking on Shore Road as the road floods twice a day at high tide, enough to reach over the bonnet of your car!).

If arriving by bus, the number 56 bus brings you from Chichester to Bosham car park in Anchor Lane.  Alternatively, the 700 bus runs along the Main Road (A259), stopping near the small roundabout, then you can walk down Delling Lane and Bosham Lane into the old village (a 20 minute brisk walk).

Bosham train station is just north of the A259, a 25- minute walk to the harbour. The train takes 1hr 45mins from London Victoria (via Chichester).

A small ferry links Bosham Ferry Hard (at the foot of Smugglers Lane, Bosham) with Itchenor Jetty, crossing Chichester Harbour. Perfect for walkers, cyclists and visitors. The ferry crossing can be as short as 5 minutes, depending on the tide and whether it drops people at their boats.  It operates daily from May to September, weekends only from October to April.

Toilets: Recently upgraded public toilets are in the car park off Anchor Lane.