Chichester area

Sticky Fingers

Sticky Fingers

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Well, here's the thing.

We're thinking of upping sticks and moving from N Essex, which we love and where we've been for 30 odd years, and relocating to the S coast to be near the sea and boat. Chichester area appeals a lot. We can afford a reasonable detached house and have enough left to buy a lovely boat. Want rural with a bit of land (acre or two) but not isolated, so edge of town or a big village is ideal. Max 3-5 miles to the coast. Excellent pub vital.

Where to go? Where to avoid? Any horror areas? Local knowledge welcome...!
 
Watch out for places which may flood; there were huge problems about a decade ago, said to be largely sorted but we were wary - knowing the area well.

Chichester bypass is clogged solid far too often; there are backroads if one knows them but by no means a complete anwer.

On summer weekends, traffic on and off The Witterings is solid.

Main worry is that they keep saying there will be another bypass - needs one, sadly - but never say where it will go which blights house sales over a wide area as no-one knows what the future holds.

Just inland towards Midhurst / Lodsworth / Petworth would be my top tip, lovely area, villages, & countryside.

Midhurst is great but can be v busy when Goodwood events are on.

Anywhere West of Wisborough Green is lovely, also consider Petersfield.
 
Hi,
We moved down 18 months ago, it's great with a choice of pubs, close to the sea and harbour. The traffic can get busy but we have not encountered any issues getting to the sea or Chichester. The A27 can get shut if there is a prang, no worse than further west.
Good Luck.
 
A1GSS said:
Thanks, interesting idea about Midhurst @seajet. We'll take a wander down there this summer. and see how peak traffic looks. I like being able to move around freely...
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I would suggest wandering down before the school holidays start then you will get a good fee for the year round peak traffic.
 
+1 for emsworth soutbourne westbourne rowlands castle nutbourne woodmancote bosham all within 20 minutes of the harbour.
 
The nicest parts are north of the A27 into the foothills of the Downs. Less crowded than the coast and the countryside is more pleasant (not including the waterfronts/harbours).

Having said that south of Chichester are villages such as Pagham, Runcton etc and they have "back roads" to Chichester marina or Birdham Pool without having to cross or use the busy A27.
 
Little Grebe said:
On the off chance that it effects the OP - once you are East of Havant you are in the gift of the world's worst train company, I have used them 4 times so far and on 3 of those the original train either didn't make it s far as my destination or had the stop axed to make up lost time.
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Good point service on SW Trains much better agree re Emsworth or north Hayling worth a look if you want to be close to the sea both early to get to Havant stn
 
A1GSS said:
Thanks, interesting idea about Midhurst @seajet. We'll take a wander down there this summer. and see how peak traffic looks. I like being able to move around freely...
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Bricklayers Arms, The Coal-Hole (closed now), Half Moon, Royal Oak, the Crown pub that used to be in Edinburgh Square with its Polo bar, the off-licence that I think is now Boots, and the recently opened Crafty Pint shop selling some cracking beers ( used to be Wright & Daughters - the tobbaconist). H.G. Wells used to live in M - opposite Lloyd's bank.
Did you know that Midhurst used to have 3 railway stations operating at the same time - different operators and gauges.
There's a Buddist Monastery quite close, off the Petersfield road to the right after the garden centre - very quiet, serene and thought-provoking - free to visit.
The cafe opposite the church used to be the prison and firestation - look up and you can see the old firebell.
 
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Being able to walk/cycle to the boat makes a huge difference. Birdham to Itchenor would be perfect if the budget allows. On the North end of the harbour Prinstead or Bosham are attractive, but chances of a couple of acres of land more remote unless you bank offshore. North of the A27 at the foot of the South Downs are some very pretty villages but then it would take longer to get to the boat. Might be worth looking at marinas first. How important is access at all states of the tide? Birdham Pool/Chichester Marina both on the doorstep of the thriving Chichester Yacht Club could be a starting point.
 
A1GSS said:
Midhurst looks and sounds very interesting, think we might book a cheeky weekend there :-)

Thanks
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If you do go for a weekend in Midhurst THE hotel is the SpreadEagle, old but v smart, top notch and quite reasonable considering.

Have a tour of the area, along the A272 both to E and W of Midhurst - which is itself very congested when the poxy events are on at Polo or Goodwood - though you may like the Festival of speed, ' Revival ' etc.

The A272 is a classic old road, there's even a book about it.

We used to live at Lodsworth between Midhurst & Petworth, lovely village & area.

From there if there is something on at Goodwood there are alternative routes S to Chi harbour, via Petworth ( also well worth a look ) - along the A272 to Petersfield well worth a look too, the coast is straight down the A3 from there.

I think you'll love the area, good luck !
 
Seajet said:
.....
Have a tour of the area, along the A272 both to E and W of Midhurst - which is itself very congested when the poxy events are on at Polo or Goodwood - though you may like the Festival of speed, ' Revival ' etc.

The A272 is a classic old road, there's even a book about it...........
I think you'll love the area, good luck !
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I have the book (was recommended to me here).
A272 An Ode to a Road - authors Pieter and Rieter Boogaart; fascinating stuff!
We have a relationship with Midhurst going back 3 generations; it's lost some of its charm over the last 50 years with "do not feed the ducks", some of the old style shops that were in Knockhundred Row, the recent closure of the library building and West Street now trendy restaurants and the like so the "Four Candles" hardware store is no more. (still, that's progress!)
 
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Also remember Chichester marina is not the only one, Northney has excellent facilities, no lock and almost all tide access, a lot closer to the entrance - but I'd fully admit is a bit soul-less; there are the 2 good pubs - and club - over the bridge.

Emsworth Marina is delightful, and I prefer it even with the tidal restrictions, but space is limited - last I heard they are full which doesn't surprise me.

Sparkes Marina is handy by the entrance but involves the hassle of driving the length of Hayling island - not good at peak times weekdays or sunny summer weekends - and I have no idea of Sparke's current trading status.

There are lots of good moorings in the harbour, both deep water and drying, but do check carefully if there's anywhere to leave a rigid tender and secure car parking...
 
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