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An independent charity dedicated to young people

Welcome to Cobnor Activities Centre Trust, an independent charity nestled within the breathtaking Chichester Harbour, a National Landscape.

We offer a diverse range of outdoor activities, spanning from sailing and paddling to archery and aeroball, ensuring there’s an experience tailored for everyone. We take pride in delivering top-notch experiences aimed at enriching lives, particularly focusing on empowering young individuals with essential life skills, both on and off the water.

Join us if you seek a day of enjoyment, educational advancement, or group engagement. Our comprehensive facilities and adaptable equipment cater to various abilities and group sizes.

Our mission & vision

Cobnor Activities Centre Trust exists to deliver outdoor, residential and environmental activities, which provide learning and educational development outcomes, in particular to support young people.

Our vision is that all young people participating in these activities will be enabled and empowered to shape their character and own outlook on life.

What we do

We aim to deliver high quality activities and experiences which provide positive learning and educational development outcomes, especially for young people.  We offer a wide range of activities and courses including sailing, canoeing and kayaking, cycling skills, climbing and archery. Plus, multi-activity day or residential programmes and other challenging, teambuilding and environmental activities.

Whether you are a beginner or an instructor, there is a course or activity here for you.

For schools and educational organisations, our programmes are tailored to provide short to long term development for young people from primary up to further education, complementing their formal curriculum.

Here at CACT, we recognise the fundamental potential within every young person, to enable them to achieve their full potential. All our courses and programmes have the ability to reinforce a positive and focused attitude towards key personal and social skills.

We have residential accommodation for groups of 10-60 people from schools, colleges, universities, clubs and more; as well as a camping field. We are dedicated to outdoor education and having fun outside.

Where we are

Cobnor Activities Centre Trust is close to the border of West Sussex and Hampshire, between Chichester and Portsmouth, on the stunning Chidham peninsula. Located in Chichester Harbour, an National Landscape, we have access to the water at all states of the tide.  By water we can easily access Bosham, Itchenor, East Head beach, Hayling Island and Thorney Island. Off the water, we are close to the South Downs National Park.

Cobnor Activities Centre Trust’s history

Youth sailing at Cobnor began in the mid 1950s, thanks to Martin Beale OBE JP DL. Martin appreciated that he lived in a very beautiful area and was willing to share the uniqueness of Cobnor and Chichester Harbour with those less fortunate than himself.

In 1963 the Thames Barge, Pride of Sheppy, arrived on site and this brought the advent of residential courses at Cobnor.

In 1979 central government cut backs to local authority were a worrying time. To save the Centre from possible closure Cobnor Activities Centre Trust was formed.

Funding from West Sussex County Council ended in 2013 and the Trust became wholly independent, reliant on income from our courses and our fundraising efforts.

Our Location

Cobnor Activities Centre is close to the border of West Sussex and Hampshire, between Chichester and Portsmouth, on the Chidham peninsula. On the water, we are part of Chichester Harbour at the end of the Bosham Channel, with access to the water at all states of the tide, close to Itchenor, Each Head and West Wittering, Hayling Island and Thorney Island. Off the water, we are close to the South Downs National Park.

Tel: 01243 572791
Email: sail@cobnor.com
Cobnor Point, Chidham, West Sussex, PO18 8TE