Birdham Pool

This is a basin rather than a big marina: fully serviced jetties around still water, a boatyard and marine trades behind, and the open harbour beyond the lock. Aquavista calls it a quiet spot, and that is fair. It suits crews who want birds, sunsets and a peaceful night more than restaurants on the doorstep.

From the harbour entrance, follow the Chichester Channel towards Chichester Lake. The approach to the Pool is a channel about 9 metres wide with mud banks on both sides. Follow the line of posts, leaving them about 4 metres to starboard.

Tide gauges on the seaward side of the channel and on the channel piles show the depth of water over the lock sill. Call the lock keeper on VHF Channel 80 before you commit. The lock is manned from three hours before to four hours after Portsmouth high water within the published hours, and runs on free flow at the top of spring tides. Aquavista gives the lock limits as 4.5 metres beam, 14.5 metres length overall and 1.9 metres draught, with 1.2 metres over the sill at the edges of the locking window.

Visitor berths are on fully serviced jetties with metered electricity and water. Call the office ahead to confirm availability, because it is closed at weekends. Once inside, the basin is calm and doesn't move with the tide, and you'll need to plan your departure around the next locking window.

Visitor and short-stay berthing are available. Call the office on 01243 512310 for current visitor prices when you book.

Aquavista lists 24-hour toilets, showers and a launderette, a customer lounge and sun deck, free Wi-Fi, free parking, refuse and recycling, and a seasonal café.

There is a boatyard with trades for most maintenance and repair, a 30-tonne crane and boat mover, covered storage, winter storage afloat and ashore for boats up to 14 metres, and an on-site boat broker.

Birdham village is close by, and Chichester city, with its cathedral and Festival Theatre, is a short drive or taxi ride away. West Wittering and East Head are nearby for beaches. Check opening hours and transport for the dates of your stay.

Crews who want a quiet, sheltered basin; owners planning yard work or winter storage up to 14 metres; anyone exploring the upper Chichester Channel.

Arrivals or departures near low water; deep-draught boats without careful tide planning; weekend arrivals hoping to sort out a berth with the office on the day.

Aquavista says Birdham Pool opened in 1937, making it one of the oldest marinas in the country, and that mix of old and new is still its character. Chichester Harbour itself was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1964 and is shared by more than 10,000 craft and 14 sailing clubs.

Chichester Marina is next door, Itchenor and Bosham are a short sail away, and Emsworth, Northney and Sparkes lie across the harbour. East Head makes a classic anchorage on the way out.

Plan around Portsmouth HW: the lock is manned from three hours before to four hours after. Call VHF 80 or 07831 466815 before entering the channel, keep the posts 4 metres to starboard, and read the sill gauges. Check your boat fits the lock (4.5 m beam, 14.5 m LOA, 1.9 m draught). Book with the office on a weekday.

The practical information in this Guide was checked against the source records below on 21 October 2026. Operational details can change.