Waterways > Chichester Canal
Chichester Canal
The Chichester Canal has been restored for 2.5 miles but the section from Donnington to Birdham remains to be restored.
Chichester Canal Map
Facts & Stats
4.5 miles
(7.24km)
The length of the Chichester Canal restoration.
0 locks
Restored from Basin to the Donnington crossing
The Chichester Canal has been restored for 2.5 miles from the Basin to a short length before the Donnington crossing, with a daily boat service from February to October. Charter boat trips are available throughout the year. You can also hire rowing boats and get licenses for fishing, canoes and paddleboards.
The section from Donnington to Birdham remains to be restored. The length from Birdham to Chichester Harbour is leased by Premier Marinas and is used for houseboats. The possibility of this section becoming navigable is remote in the near future.
Chichester Canal, formerly part of the Portsmouth and Arundel Canal, is owned by West Sussex County Council and the 3 miles from Birdham to the Canal Basin in Chichester city centre is leased by the Chichester Ship Canal Trust.
Waterway notes
Waterway underfunding
Hundreds of miles of waterways – along with their unique heritage and habitats – are currently starved of funding and rely on constant lobbying by us to safeguard their future.
Sustainable Boating
We want boating on canals and rivers to be more sustainable and – even though the current overall contribution to UK carbon emissions is very small – we want to help reduce emissions on the waterways.
Waterways Heritage at Risk
Britain’s canals and rivers are a unique, living heritage. But that heritage is at risk – from urban development, lack of protection, loss of skills and knowledge and climate change.
You can help Save Waterways Heritage.
Waterway restoration
Restoring the UK’s blue infrastructure – our inherited network of navigable canals and rivers – is good for people and places.
LOVE YOUR WATERWAYS
Britain's waterways are vital; together we can campaign for them now and for the future.
