Chichester Harbour
We are located in Chichester Harbour, which offers miles of sheltered tidal water and is set within a superb rural landscape. This makes it great for wildlife and ideal for those who enjoy water sports and land-based activities. Find out more about Chichester Harbour Conservancy
Our position on the South Coast gives us easy connections to major cities including: Chichester, Portsmouth, Southampton, Brighton and London by rail. We also have easy access to Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight by boat, as they are just across the Solent from the Activities Centre.
Chichester and Portsmouth are the main cities placed at either side of Cobnor. Each have plentiful amenities and their own wonderful histories, with many visitor attractions for both educational and leisure purposes.
Local amenities and attractions
Our residential facilities are ideal for groups wanting to explore the local area and can be used as a base throughout the year.
There is so much to see and do in and around Chichester, with its beautiful harbour, Roman history and easy access to the South Downs. We are also close to Portsmouth with its Historic Dockyards, Spinnaker Tower and many museums.
Here are just some of the local attractions that may interest you when visiting the Activities Centre and if you would like any more advice or recommendations, our staff will be happy to help:
Chichester
Bosham Church and Quay - Bosham Church is one of the earliest churches in Sussex and it was depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry as it was from Bosham that Earl Harold, later King Harold, set sail on his ill-fated trip to Normandy in 1064.
There is also a long held tradition that early in the 11th century King Canute’s young daughter was drowned in the millstream and was buried in the church.
The quay is a beautiful addition to Chichester Harbour, which is popular with wildlife and sailors alike.
Chichester Cathedral - The spire of Chichester Cathedral, rising above its green copper roof, can be seen for many miles across the flat meadows of West Sussex and is a landmark for sailors, Chichester being the only English cathedral that is visible from the sea.
For 900 years Chichester Cathedral has welcomed visitors through its doors. It contains two rare medieval sculptures, and many modern art works including tapestries, stained glass and sculpture.
Come the spring, the Peregrine Falcons that nest in the Cathedral Tower can be viewed soaring across the skyline and by the viewing cameras that are set up by the RSPB in the Tea Rooms.
Chichester Festival Theatre – At Chichester Festival Theatre you will find shows to suit all tastes and age groups, from Westend hits such as Blues Brothers and Calendar Girls to classics such as Wuthering Heights and The Cherry Orchard. Make sure to book in advance to ensure great seats or check at the box office for last minute seats.
Chichester Harbour Conservancy Education Centre - The Chichester Harbour Conservancy Education Service aims to help everyone understand what is special about the harbour, what lives here, who uses the harbour and why we need to look after it. The education centre at Dell Quay is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
East Head and Witterings - East Head is a sand and shingle spit located at the mouth of Chichester Harbour. It was formed by the process of longshore drift, but its present shape and direction have been affected by sea defences that have been interrupting this process for nearly 200 years. This make it a perfect study for geography field trips.
Fishbourne Roman Palace - Fishbourne Roman Palace was discovered accidently in 1960. The discovery led to nine seasons of excavations that showed the site had developed from a military base at the time of the Roman invasion in AD43 to a sumptuous Palace by the end of the first century. Between 1995 and 2002, new excavations by the Sussex Archaeological Society revealed exciting new insights into this development of this site, and especially the area in front of the Palace.
This story is told in an entertaining audio-visual programme and also in the site museum, with the addition of fascinating artefacts from the excavations along with plans, reconstruction drawings and models. The remains of the North Wing of the Palace are enclosed within a cover building for their protection and for the comfort of the visitors. Here can be seen the largest collection of in-situ mosaics in Britain including the famous Cupid on a Dolphin mosaic.
Goodwood Motor Circuit - Formerly one of Britain’s leading racing venues, the motor circuit was the scene of legendary historical battles between great heroes from Moss to Stewart and is available for hire today.
This is also the venue for Goodwood Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival Meeting. The Festival of Speed is the world’s biggest and most diverse celebration of the history of motor sport and car culture, occurring one July weekend each year. Goodwood’s Revival is the most popular historic yearly motor race meeting and the only event of its kind to be staged in the romantic time capsule of the Fifties and Sixties.
Goodwood Golf - Two outstanding golf courses on the 12,000 acre Goodwood Estate stretch over the breathtaking Sussex Downs and Goodwood’s Park Course is a pay and play golf course.
Goodwood Horse Racing - Goodwood is a breathtaking backdrop for some of the very finest flat racing. Glorious Goodwood is the racing highlight of the year.
Goodwood Sculpture Park – at Goodwood Sculpture Park you can walk around sculptures outdoors by emerging and established contemporary sculptors like Tony Cragg and Antony Gormley and admire the beautiful surrounding countryside.
Halnaker Windmill - Halnaker Windmill is a tower mill which stands on Halnaker Hill, northeast of Chichester. The Mill is reached by a public footpath from the north end of Halnaker, where a track follows the line of Stane Street (a Roman Road that links Chichester to London) before turning west to the hilltop.
The windmill was built in 1750 by the Duke of Richmond and Gordon as the main flour mill on the Goodwood estate. She is one of the oldest surviving windmills in Sussex and was painted by Turner.
Harbour tours - A boat cruise with Chichester Harbour Water Tours on Wingate or Wingate II enables you to see much of the unspoilt area from the water, including Sandy Point Hayling Island, East Head, Emsworth, Thorny Island, Bosham, and Dell Quay.
You will be able to see some of the 12,000 resident boats and a wide variety of habitats including sand dunes, mudflats, shingle banks and woodlands, all valuable retreats for sea birds and other interesting wildlife species.
The Solar Heritage, on the other hand, is a solar powered catamaran. Take a trip through this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with an experienced guide to help you learn about the environment of Chichester Harbour. On-board the engines are virtually silent as you glide along with plenty of time to admire the view and get up close to many of the birds and habitats that make this place so special.
Kingley Vale - The Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve is near Chichester and is part of the South Downs. It covers an area of 140 hectares and is part of the wider Site of Special Scientific Interest Kingley Vale.
It has an information centre, a nature trail and a number of Bronze Age Round barrows are visible as mounds on Bow Hill. There is a large area of grass downland and shrub land with a number of yew trees dating back 2000 years. From the top of the Vale there are outstanding views over Sussex and the South Coast.
Pallant House Gallery - Situated in the centre of Chichester, Pallant House Gallery holds one of the best collections of 20th century British art in the country.
The collection includes important works by amongst others; Andrews, Auerbach, Blake, Caulfield, Freud, Hamilton, Hodgkin, Nicholson, Moore, Paolozzi. Piper, Sickert and Sutherland.
Pallant House Gallery is much more than an art gallery. It tells the story of a number of individuals, all passionate collectors of art who generously donated their lifetimes’ labours to the Gallery for the benefit of the public.
There is an extensive exhibition programme and a lively events, education and outreach programme.
Petworth House and Park – Petworth’s magnificent country home holds the National Trust's largest art collection, including numerous works by Turner; Petworth itself was immortalised in his paintings. The house also offers fascinating servants' quarters with a 'state of the art' Victorian kitchen.
The majestic 700-acre park is one of the finest unspoilt examples of an English landscape park designed by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown. It is also home to the largest and oldest herd of fallow deer in England.
Selsey Lifeboat Station and Boathouse– Today's lifeboat station operates an all weather Tyne class lifeboat and a D class inshore lifeboat. Over its 145-year history, the crew have been presented with 10 awards for gallantry.
The lifeboat station welcomes visitors, so come along and see the lifeboat and learn about the crew. While the Boathouse’s regular opening hours are 10.00-12.00hrs and 14.00-16.00hrs it cannot be guaranteed that the boathouse will always be open during these hours but please call 01243 601866 for confirmation.
South Down’s Planetarium – The South Downs Planetarium in Chichester is one of the largest planetaria in the British Isles. We have better weather here than anywhere else in Britain. But the skies are very often cloudy, even here, and usually clouds roll up at the wrong moment, making observers miss some unusual and important celestial event. In the planetarium, we can have clouds or not, as we wish!
The function of the planetarium is twofold. First, it is an educational aid. This may conjure up the impression of something dull and old-fashioned, but this is not so, because of the second major function: entertainment. The South Down’s planetarium is a lot of fun and a real experience!
Uppark - This tranquil 18th-century house is a National Trust property elevated upon the South Downs. It’s renowned for its Grand Tour Collection, impressive Georgian doll's-house and intimate 19th-century 'Picturesque' gardens. Uppark is the perfect spot for a picnic or a woodland walk and offers magnificent panoramic views to the sea.
Weald and Downland Open Air Museum - Set in 50 acres of beautiful Sussex countryside, The Weald and Downland is a very special place to wander amongst a fascinating collection of nearly 50 historic buildings dating from the 13th to the 19th century. Many of these historic buildings have period gardens, together with farm animals, woodland walks and a picturesque lake.
Children will enjoy the freedom to roam in safety and gain hands-on experience of the Museum’s buildings, gardens and animals, see: www.wealddown-schools.org.uk for details on educational visits. Special seasonal events are also held here throughout the year.
Westgate Leisure Centre – If you’re still shouting for wet and dry activities after some time down at Cobnor Activities Centre then try Westgate Leisure Centre.
The complex contains three pools: main pool, leisure pool and a toddlers' pool. It also has an indoor sports hall, a skatepark and facilities for badminton, volleyball, aerobics, 5-a-side football, uni-hockey, short tennis, squash, bowls, yoga, pilates, aqua gym, aikido, circuit training.
Do you just want to chill out? Try the Westgate Health Suite consisting of steam room, saunas, spas and relaxation areas.
Portsmouth & Southsea
Blue Reef Aquarium – The Blue Reef Aquarium in Southsea, Portsmouth, was voted Visitor Attraction of the Year by Tourism South East.
Situated on Clarence Esplanade, between the two piers overlooking the busy Solent, Blue Reef Aquarium is a great visit whatever the weather.
Be amazed by sealife in over 40 living displays, ranging from local marine species to the hundreds of tropical fish in the gigantic ocean display complete with underwater tunnel.
Our innovative indoor freshwater display offers spacious naturally themed surroundings for a family of Asian short claw otters while also providing amazing views of these stunning creatures.
D-Day Museum – Portsmouth’s D-Day Museum is Britain’s only museum dedicated solely to covering all aspects of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France, on 6th June 1944. D-Day was a turning point in the Second World War, and a moment when the course of world events depended on the Allied troops taking part.
The Museum's unique and dramatic film show uses archive film to create a moving experience that captures the wartime atmosphere. Extensive displays of personal memorabilia, maps, uniforms, vehicles and other historic artefacts complete your visit to the D-Day Museum.
Historic Dockyards and Action Stations – Don’t miss a visit to the world famous historic ships at the home of the Royal Navy. Go aboard HMS Victory, HMS Warrior 1860 and see the Mary Rose for the best day out in the South of England.
Portsmouth Harbour’s leading attraction also includes the Royal Naval Museum, Action Stations and harbour tours.
The Historic Dockyard is a great place to experience 800 years of naval history surrounded by working docks and historic buildings, and is fund for all the family.
PlayZone – PlayZone in Portsmouth is the biggest indoor play area and entertainment centre on the south coast.
It's the play area that's bursting with kids play parties, fun things for rainy days, children's sleepovers, laser gun shooting games, party ideas, teen party activities and young toddler activities.
This makes it a great venue for your children's party, fun team-building activities, an evening out or special occasion.
Pyramids Leisure Centre – With a wide range of leisure facilities and activities that are suitable for everybody, whatever their age or ability, the Pyramids have something for everyone!
Whether you want to improve your health and fitness, try a new activity or simply want to spend an your leisure time in the tropical pool or wave pool, their friendly and helpful team are dedicated to ensuring that each and every visit is great.
Spinnaker Tower – Soaring 170 metres above Portsmouth Harbour and the Solent, the Spinnaker Tower is taller than the London Eye, Blackpool Tower and Big Ben and has already established itself as a national icon for Britain.
A world class visitor attraction, the much-admired, elegant viewing Tower stands proud over one of the most fascinating seascapes in the world. Situated on the waterfront at Gunwharf Quays, it offers amazing 350º panoramic views of Portsmouth Harbour, the South coast and the Isle of Wight, with views stretching out for up to 23 miles – breathtaking by day and a glittering sea of lights by night.
Other
Arundel Castle –There are nearly 1,000 years of history at this great castle, situated in magnificent grounds overlooking the River Arun, West Sussex, and built at the end of the 11th century by Roger de Montgomery, Earl of Arundel.
The oldest feature is the motte, an artificial mound, over 100 feet high from the dry moat, and constructed in 1068: followed by the gatehouse in 1070.
Under his will, King Henry I (1068-1135) settled the Castle and lands in dower on his second wife, Adeliza of Louvain. Three years after his death she married William d'Albini II, who built the stone shell keep on the motte. King Henry II (1133-89), who built much of the oldest part of the stone Castle, in 1155 confirmed William d'Albini II as Earl of Arundel, with the Honour and Castle of Arundel.
Arundel Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust - Set in ancient woodlands in the middle of the South Downs; adjacent to the River Arun and overlooked by the historic Arundel Castle skyline, the centre also attracts many wild birds to the lakes, reed beds and woodland areas on the site.
Free Safaris on quiet, electric boats are offered everyday, weather permitting. Gliding along the waterways of the Wetlands Discovery area you can discover the joys of seeing wild flora & fauna in their natural environment. Unfortunately, due to the high child to adult ratio this attraction is not offered to school groups.
Butlins, Bognor Regis – Bognor Regis is still one of the nation's favourite places to visit. And no wonder - this glittering location boasts miles of award-winning beach! At Butlins you can find Splash Waterworld, complete with twisty flumes and a sub-tropical climate, wave machines bubble pools and rapids. There’s also a free funfair with white knuckle rides for the hardy and the classic carousel for the rest of us.
Hayling Island Lifeboat Station – Hayling Island Lifeboat Station is situated on the South East corner of the Island, known locally as Sandy Point. It overlooks the entrance to Chichester Harbour which enables quick access to the whole of Chichester Harbour, the harbour bar and the adjacent sands and shingle banks which are known as the East and West Pole Sands. The Lifeboat Station welcomes educational groups by appointment.
Pagham Harbour and Lagoon - Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve is an internationally important site for nature conservation, featuring plant and animal habitats of global rarity. Rare plants include Southern Marsh Orchid and rare birds include the Little Tern, Ruff and Pintail.
The Reserve covers 1500 acres, about half of which is salt marsh and mudflats, while the rest comprises farmland, copses, lagoons, reed beds and shingle beaches.
Royal Navy Submarine Museum, Gosport - Let former submariners walk you through where they would work, eat and sleep onboard HMS Alliance. Peer into the only surviving X-craft to have seen action during WW2 and climb inside the Royal Navy's first submarine Holland 1.
Trace the history of submarine development, from Alexander the Great, to Holland I, to the giant nuclear powered Vanguard class of the present day peace keepers.
With hands on learning fun and a great Cafe (Harbour Stations) overlooking Portsmouth Harbour, harbour tours (peak season only), a visit to the Submarine Museum is a great day out.
