11/05/25 - The Ship Inn, West Itchenor

Millionaires Row

AA 1001 Great Family Walks - one of my favourite reference books. Today, I am accompanied by a couple more of my Great Family. Mrs M and myself joined by the two aging students. One who will be closer to his thirties than his twenties next weekend.

National Rail working OK on a Saturday - a pick up at Chichester and a short drive to to the previously unvisited West Itchenor.

The guide promises;

Chichester Harbour's plentiful wildlife and colourful yachting activity form the backdrop to this waterside walk. 

 

They could have added gawking at properties that wouldn't be out of place on Grand Designs. Some serious houses overlooking the coast - the old, the new and several plots inbetween. If you are looking for a builder in West Sussex, they are all in Itchenor. It's enough to have the two younger members of our walking party wondering how far a university education will help during future mortgage applications.

Meet the Ramblers

The walk is a little beauty - follow the estuary west, head inland and past a church where post wedding photo shoot is taking place and back along the coast to civilisation. The question "who lives in houses like this?" is attempted to be answered at the pub.

Heading to the open sea

Signposting is perfect.

Footpath to the Pub

Amongst this property opulence, the Ship Inn manages to retain a nice "down to earth" feel. Not as ridiculously posh or as gastro as the location - and its likely customer base of seafaring yachters - would suggest.

Pub Ahoy! Its The Ship Inn

Listed on the CAMRA Pub Heritage site for its "fielded panelling, parquet floors and original fireplaces". I guessed correctly at its 1930s origins. A pub has been here since C16th and was previously known as the Noah's Ark. Of course, there were smugglers. No such thing as a coastal pub without smugglers. 

After complimenting the landlady on her pretty pub, I ask after the residents of the fine properties. "Anyone famous?" is met with Kate Winslett and an old fella from Game of Thrones. We couldn't deduce who that might be but an added clue is that he never uses the pub except as a car park to walk his dog. Sounds like the sort of thing Littlefinger would do, but maybe too young, so I am going for Varys.

Except he doesn't look like a dog walker.

Beer-wise - our party went Long Man Best Bitter on Cask, Long Man on Keg and a couple of Lagers with different quantity of additions dictating the quality. Shandy gets Fosters, Dash of Lime gets Birra Moretti. 

Long Man Best Bitter - Cellar Cool

Walk Details

Distance - 3.5 Miles

Geocaches - 1

Walk Inspiration - AA 1001 Great Family Walks - Walk #224