Marina recommendation near East Head

[PEJ]

If I wanted to go to East Head (West Wittering) but didn't want to go back home that night what marina would the panel suggest I go to.

I can see on google maps that Sparkes marina is just across from it but also that further up there are two marinas but google does not tell me what the names are. One of them looks huge.

I would like peaceful and quiet but with a child freindly pub or restaurant nearby.

And before the raggies say why not stay at anchor at East Head, wifey does not do anchoring. Must have shore power.

 

[fireball]

Chichester Harbour - you've got Sparkes as you've already identified, Northney - top end of Emsworth Channel or Chichester Marina.
www.conservancy.co.uk will give you more info on them.

For eateries - dunno about Sparkes, Northney - there is a hotel/restaurant just off the site - not sure how good it is, but over the bridge there is the Ship which is excellent.
Chichester - there is somewhere onsite, Not sure if Chichester Yacht Club accept visitors for their food (but it is good) and just offsite there are a few eateries close by - but probably a taxi ride if the kids are small.

 

[AdeOlly]

The huge one you can see is Premier's Chichester Marina, the smaller one up the Sweare Deep is MDL's Northney Marina. The latter does not have a lock to contend with but does have lots of friendly forumites

Edit - beaten to the Enter key by Fireball

 

[Whitelighter]

You have correctly identified Sparkes on Hayling Island as one option. The other option further into the harbour is Chichester Marina (the big one) with the smaller one being Birdham Pool but this really isnt suitable for visitors.

I dont know where you berth, but Sparkes is operated by MDL and Chichester by Premier. If your home berth is with either of these then the availability of free nights might be the instant decider.

If it isnt, there are pros and cons in each. Sparkes is a nice place, but a bit remote with only an onsite restaurant and no-where for kids to play/explore safely. There is a good crowd there though, including a number of forumites but the Marina is very small - with narrow fairways and tight berths. its not a problem, but can be a challenge in certain conditions.

Chichester is completely different and is a huge marina. Fair number of forumites here too. I would head for Chichester with kids becasue there is more open space, plus there is an on-site pub/restaurant, loads of green space and the bluebell woods to the north to explore, as well as a very welcoming yacht club for visiting crews which is very pleasant for dinner or drinks a Short walk (1/2 mile?) outside the marina is a pub that does a very good range of food including pizzas. The main negative of Chichester is it is locked access, which is accessible for most of the day, but can be touch and go at low water springs. Plus it further (45 minutes) from the sea. But, becasue of that if you dont have free nights then it is cheaper than Sparkes and overnighting gets you cost price diesel the same as contract berth holders so could be a good plce to top up.

Short answer: either are good places to stop, but given no time constraints I would head for Chichester.

 

[Poignard]

If the tides are right you could do worse than Emsworth Yacht Harbour. It's a short walk into Emsworth, which has plenty of places to eat, drink and shop

 

[PEJ]

Thanks

Thanks for the replies.

I am an MDL'er so I guess Sparkes is the obvious choice.

 

[[2068]]

It's a bit harsh to say that there's nowhere for kids to play safely near Sparkes.

The field behind the car park is suitable for a rough kick-about with a football, and if you go out of the Marina, First Left, Left at the end, you'll be heading towards Eaststoke corner, the lifeboat station, Hayling Island Sailing Club, the beach, etc. Strong currents, so not a good place to give kids their first swimming lesson (they'll either land up on Thorney Island or the Isle of Wight).

There's a small local store about 15mins walk away for basic provisions. Fish and chips a bit further along. Any further, you'll be wanting sponsorship.

 

[Whitelighter]

yeah, ok, so maybe saying there was no where to play with kids was a bit harsh. But, compared to the acres of green space at Chi with a very quiet ambiance and loads of space Sparkes is at a disadvantage.

I did say though both were a good choice