Coastwalk

Fishbourne → Selsey

Distance: 15.9 miles
Ascent: unknown
Duration: unknown

The sea again
« Emsworth | Bognor Regis »

After yesterday's short day at the east end of this gap, today I was back at the west end determined to get some miles under my belt.

The walk from Fishbourne to West Wittering completed my circuit of Chichester Harbour that had begun in Emsworth (or even Portsmouth if you include Langstone Harbour). It was a relief and a delight to see the open sea again.

From here the path describes a sweeping curve for seven miles or so through the Witterings, past caravan parks and holiday villages, to Selsey Bill.

Selsey is a strange town. It's yet another that's suffering from the falling cliffs, but there's something about it that makes it feel even more cut off than most forgotten seaside towns. Maybe it's that it's at the end of a long road from Chichester that serves few other settlements. Maybe it's simply overshadowed by its more famous neighbour Bognor Regis.

Whatever the reason for its curiosity, this is the home of Sir Patrick Moore and once you've made that connection, nothing else needs explaining.