Chichester Canal

[Roger52]

I know that it's possible to walk along the tow path from the basin in Chichester down to the A286 bridge and then over the road leading to Chichester Marina, Birdham etc but is the canal itself navigable. I have a inflatable canoe/kayak and I thought it would a pleasant trip one sunny day. Get someone to drop me off at the basin and pick me up at the bridge. I know they run boat trips from the basin but have no idea how far they go.

 

[stephen_h]

You can go from Chichester to Hunston and then to the A286 ok. After that even though it was cleared
a few years ago it now looks like it is full of weed.

 

[neilf39]

I think you'll have to get out and hop across the road at a couple of points as its just a pipe going under rather than a bridge.

 

[Chi34]

I think they will sell you a day ticket at the basin.

 

[Steve Clayton]

Mainly "portage" from the entrance to Chi Marina to the final lock gate by the yacht club.
The white swans are nesting on the starboard hand on the bank opposite the public car park in the Marina. The black swan has a nest mid water maybe 150yards further in.
Never seen any canoes in this stretch - maybe disallowed?

 

[Seajet]

Maybe the houseboat types may not be chuffed by peasants going past in canoes either ? Seems a silly short stretch to bother with anyway.

John Reger's excellent book about Chichester Harbour has a good bit about the history of the canal, but not the restoration - unless this is in later editions than the one I had and gave to Dylan while he was around.

 

[Roger52]

I'm not bothered about the stretch from the road down to the marina. I know it's quite weedy and also assumed that the houseboat owners might not welcome the intrusion. Thanks for the info . I may need to inflate the canoe and paddle quickly before they try and extract money from me!

 

[Seajet]

Roger52,

please let us know how you get on, and if not too busy take some photo's please, I've often wondered about this trip myself but for a start don't have a canoe...

 

[dunedin]

Have you surveyed the route on Google Maps satellite images? Shows a boat rowing one section, but also some rather tricky looking bits

 

[harry potter]

Poor black swan used to have mate which died. Every year she builds a nest and lays a clutch of sterile eggs which do not hatch of course. It is SO sad.

 

[Steve Clayton]

Poor black swan used to have mate which died. Every year she builds a nest and lays a clutch of sterile eggs which do not hatch of course. It is SO sad.

I've often wondered whether/why it isn't possible to introduce a black cob for her? Maybe it just does't work for this breed. Time for a bit of googling.
The white pair nest is right by the road with just one solitary cone as if it may have been dumped.. No signs up saying "Take extreme care- Swans nest". It needs some protection- hay bales would help.

 

[Roger52]

I think I may take a walk along it first and see what it looks like. I've looked at the satellite pictures on Google but you can't see the supermarket trolley at that resolution!

 

[oldharry]

Chichester Canal Trust have the Navigation rights, so you must buy a permit from the Canal Centre at the Chichester basin. £6.00 a day, or £25.00 a year. Dont know what happens if you dont.... but its said to be a good cause. They should be able to tell you all you need to know about bridges etc.

http://chichestercanal.org.uk/attractions/canoeing/

 

[Roger52]

"You can canoe from the Canal Basin to B2201 without a problem. There is a small lay by there to park. From B2211 to A286, there is water in the Canal, but the depth is uncertain and there may be hidden obstacles such as tree stumps. You will also have to carry your canoe across B2201 as there is only only a culvert under the road there. The nearest car park at A286 is at the Chichester Marina."

This is the information given to me by the Trust that runs the canal so it seems that the final part down to the A286
is a non starter especially in an inflatable. I shall try it out one sunny day.