Chichester Harbour Conservancy

Art and Photography

Boatyard Photography

Wed 1 April
2pm / 2 hours
Weaving with Natural Materials
Discover how to weave with natural materials from the shoreline and woodland. We will walk along the shoreline to hunt for suitable items to create an unusual piece of woven art.
Fee: £3 per person
BOOKING ESSENTIAL on 01243 513275
Meet: Harbour Learning Zone, Dell Quay, PO20 7EE. Roadside parking

Sat 18 April
10am / 2 hours
Boatyard Photography
Be inspired by the boatyard and shoreline as we explore new ways of taking photos with our digital cameras. With local artist and photographer Barry Williams. Bring your own camera (check that you have enough battery power and memory cards for the session), outdoor gear and footwear for muddy conditions. There will be a follow up session on Saturday 16 May at 10am / 1½ hours
Fee: £8 per person
BOOKING ESSENTIAL on 01243 513275
Meet: Paynes Boatyard, Thornham Lane, Thorney Island, PO10 8DD. Free parking by kind permission

Sun 19 April
10am / 5 hours
Painting with Collage
Sue Ogilvy, artist and Conservancy teacher will lead this workshop. Starting with a look at artists who use collage in their pictures. We will then experiment with different collage techniques to build up ideas for the sketch book. Following a walk along the shoreline to make a series of sketches a final piece will be developed using painting and collage. Basic material will be provided but you might like to bring your own equipment and materials. Please bring a packed lunch and outdoor clothes.
Fee: £20 to include refreshments and basic materials
Friends of Chichester Harbour: £18 If you would like to join please click here: How to join
BOOKING ESSENTIAL on 01243 513275
Meet: Harbour Learning Zone, Dell Quay, PO20 7EE. Roadside parking

Family Activities

Tues 7 April
11am / 2½ hours
Model Boats
Join model maker Simon Cowper in this fun workshop building your own model boat using simple materials and techniques. At the end of the session discover how well she sails in a launch and recovery session supervised by our Patrol Officers in their Patrol RIB.
Fee: £12 per model (max of 3 people working on each model)
BOOKING ESSENTIAL on 01243 513275
Meet: Harbour Learning Zone, Dell Quay, PO20 7EE. Roadside parking

Wed 8 April
11am / 2½ hours
Introduction to Fishing
Hear about fishing in Chichester Harbour and learn how to fish from local fisherman Ganesh Kings. Ganesh will give a talk and demonstration followed by optional fishing from the quay. Bring a fishing rod if you would like to have a go (though we may be able to borrow one or two for the day, please ask when booking). Dress for the weather and bring a packed lunch.
Fee: £5 to include bait
BOOKING ESSENTIAL on 01243 513275
Meet: Harbour Learning Zone, Dell Quay, PO20 7EE. Roadside parking

Thurs 9 April
11.15 am / 1½ hours
Duck Race
NEW! We provide your ducks (we recommend one per person) and you can paint or decorate them and then take part in the first ever duck race along the stream in Fishbourne Meadows. Dress for the outdoors and bring money for the pub afterwards if you wish.
Fee: £2 per entry for 1 duck, decorating and race entry (our ducks are weighted for racing and will stay upright)
BOOKING ESSENTIAL on 01243 513275
Meet: The Bull’s Head Pub, Mill Lane, Fishbourne, PO19 3JP. Free parking in pub car park by kind permission

Walks and Talks

Fri 10 April
10am / 2hours
Harbour Creekies Walk: Itchenor
Get into the Chichester Harbour countryside on our monthly gentle Harbour Creekies walks aimed at those wanting to explore the countryside and breathe in the fresh air with like-minded company. Today we will walk 6km (3½ miles) around the harbour village and of Itchenor.
Fee: £1 on the day
Friends of Chichester Harbour: Free. If you would like to join please click here: How to join
Meet: Harbour Office, Itchenor PO20 7AW
Parking in pay and display car park

Fri 10 April
7.30pm
Friends of Chichester Harbour Event (Event Code E4) Wildlife of Langstone Harbour
With Captain Nigel Jardine, Langstone’s Manager and Harbour Manager. Langstone Harbour is an important wildlife haven and supports much waterborne leisure activity whilst still being an important commercial harbour for aggregates and fishing. Captain Jardine will tell us how management of Langstone Harbour is different to Chichester Harbour. Doors open at 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start.
BOOKING ESSENTIAL through Friends of Chichester Harbour - contact membership@friendsch.org to join or book through eventsadmin@friendsch.org
Meet: The Stables, Eames Farm, Thorney Road, Thorney Island PO10 8DE. Roadside parking

Thurs 23 April
10am / 6 hours
Bumblebee ID
The Bumblebee Conservation Trust (BBCT) will lead a one day identification workshop in conjunction with Chichester Harbour Conservancy. The purpose of the day is to train attendees on how to identify bumblebees and record them through the BBCT’s volunteer Bee Walk programme. Please bring stout footwear and a packed lunch.
Fee: £6 (includes £3 donation to BBCT)
BOOKING ESSENTIAL on 01243 513275
Meet: The Stables, Eames Farm, Thorney Road, Thorney Island PO10 8DE. Roadside parking

Sat 25 April
9.30am / 2½ hours
Harbour Hares Walk: Chidham
Monthly fast paced walk in the Chichester Harbour area. Today we will cover 8km (5 miles) walking the Chidham peninsula shoreline taking in three splendid views: Nutbourne Bay, the main Harbour channel, and Bosham. The paths may be muddy and some are well worn. Bring a snack for elevenses.
Fee: £3 on the day
Friends of Chichester Harbour: Free. If you would like to join please click here: How to join
Meet: Cobnor Amenity Car Park. Take Chidham Lane to its southerly point and the entrance to the car park is at the point where the road turns to the right

2pm / 2 hours
Wild Food in Spring
With the guidance of local enthusiast Karen Berry, we will explore the Harbour shoreline and hedgerows at Dell Quay, looking for and identifying edible plants, fruits and seeds.
Fee: £8 to include refreshments
BOOKING ESSENTIAL on 01243 513275
Meet: Harbour Learning Zone, Dell Quay, PO20 7EE. Roadside parking

Sun 26 April
2pm / 2 hours
Pebbles on the Beach
In the company of local geology expert David Bone, we will explore the beaches around Dell Quay to search out unusual stones and learn how they were formed. No previous knowledge is needed. We will be walking on the beach, so be prepared for wet, muddy and uneven ground.
Fee: £4 on the day
Meet: Harbour Learning Zone, Dell Quay, PO20 7EE. Roadside parking

Boat Trips

Sat 4 April
11am / 1½ hours
EGG HUNT FOR FAMILIES on Solar Heritage
Have fun enjoying a boat trip and taking part in a Harbour Easter egg treasure hunt. Chocolate egg prizes for all.
Fee: £9 adults / £4 children.
BOOKING ESSENTIAL ON 01243 513275

Sun 5 April
11am / 1½ hours
HARBOUR DISCOVERY on Solar Heritage
Come onboard our solar-powered boat to enjoy views of Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. With general commentary
Tickets: £8.50 adults / £3.50 children up to 16 years
Friends of Chichester Harbour: £7.50 adults / £2.50 children - please quote membership number when booking. If you would like to join please click here: How to join
BOOKING ESSENTIAL on 01243 513275

Mon 6 April
2pm / 1½ hours
HARBOUR DISCOVERY on Solar Heritage – see details above

Appledram

From this small parish, rich in history, residents and visitors alike enjoy magnificent views from Dell Quay, once the port for Chichester, out over the waters of the harbour with bobbing boats and abundant wildlife or, by turning north, espy across the rich low-lying farmland the “always present cathedral spire”, according to naturalist W.H. Hudson a century ago, with... Read More»

Birdham

A small village on the shore of Chichester Harbour and on the western side of the Manhood Peninsula Birdham is mainly known for its two locked marinas. One of these, Birdham Pool is thought to be the oldest marina in the country. The other, Chichester Marina, is one of the largest marinas in the country. Between Birdham Pool and... Read More»

West Wittering

West Wittering village lies to the east of the entrance to Chichester Harbour, behind the sand spit of East Head. Summer finds the village thronged with visiting tourists drawn by the beautiful sandy beaches. Standing at the mouth of Chichester Harbour, it is likely that the Romans founded some kind of small coastal defence here - certainly it was considered... Read More»