The stunning seaside village 48 mins from Surrey with harbour walks and waterside pubs

Less than an hour’s car ride away from Surrey is a wonderful bustling seaside village you may not have heard of. Bosham was established in Roman times, not far from Chichester in West Sussex.

This totally picturesque town has some fabulous history, once home to a Danish King in 1028 and has a beautiful nature reserve and beaches. The village itself still has elements of what once was a remote mediaeval hamlet, with sea views and one of the oldest churches in Sussex.

Situated just two miles from Chichester Harbour, Bosham is right in the heart of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and is built on a peninsula jutting out into the harbour. The town has waterside walkways, and a quay you can take a stroll along to look at all the sail boats moored up.

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Just opposite Bosham sits Hayling Island, and the sandy stretch of West Wittering just below Bosham and along the coastline, which is a popular place for a beach day. In Bosham you can also find antique shops to explore, art shops at Bosham Walk and cute little cafes.

There is a public footpath leading around Thorney Island nature reserve, with a cute little beach surrounded by dunes and marram grass, where you might even spot a seal or two. For those eager to get into the water, Bosham’s nearest water sport centre is Cobnor Activity Centre where you can try sailing, kayaking and climbing.

What is it like in Bosham and how much do homes cost?

Bosham has some incredible homes, from terraced fishermen cottages in the village centre, to waterside properties and large detached estates, there are plenty to choose from but it would set you back anywhere from £775,000 for a quaint little cottage to £1,900,000 for a detached estate.

A three bedroom and one bathroom semi detached cottage on the waterfront could cost around £650,000. A sprawling five bedroom and three bathroom detached Edwardian home could cost £1,400,000, with manicured gardens and a breath taking sea view.

Things to do in Bosham

Exploring the village and strolling across the waterside walkways, and looking at the quaint historic buildings is a great way to get your bearings. The quay has a cute collection of sail boats you can look at, and it is definitely worth visiting the natural reserve, Thorney Island, with a secret beach tucked away behind the sand dunes.

There are up to 50 different little shops and cafes to choose from in Bosham Walk, ranging from crafts, clothes and antiques.

History buffs will love the Fishbourne Roman villa, where a former glorious Roman garden has been recreated. Visitors can see the preserved dolphin mosaic and ruins. The site was thought to have been built in 75 AD before it was thought to have been destroyed in a fire in 270 AD.

Those who love water sports, Cobnor Activity centre has RYA trained sailing instructors, where you can learn to sail, kayak and canoe. You can also try mountain bike courses and abseiling, archery, raft building and more.

Where to eat

If you’re looking for a waterside traditional pub with a patio and beer garden, the Anchor Bleu is the perfect place to grab a drink and sit in the sun, and maybe get some lunch too. The pub is located right on the harbour in Bosham, and has a great range of locally sourced beverages including Canute Pilsner, and the Surrey brewed Anchor Bleu Ale.

Google reviews state the pub is “one of the best” in the village, “how it should be done” with friendly staff and “proper pub food”. The only downside to the pub is that: “Very rarely any tables are free, but that shows the popularity and splendour of this place.”

One reviewer said: “Very impressed, excellent meal, Moroccan spiced lamb and crab thermidor tart, great service. We will be back.”

Another added: “One of the best pub in Bosham. It was recommended by the host of our Airbnb place. The food were nice and so were the dessert. They change menu everyday and the beers. Great view from their seas front tablets. Beer garden at the back. The service was good even it was really busy. Booking before hand is advised. Or arrive around 5:30pm to secure your walk-in tables.

“Tips are so included, so don’t forget to tip the staff if you are happy with their service. We had an enjoyable dinner here today. Parking is available nearby Bosham car park for £1 an hour. Or free street parking before reaching the beach and walking for like 5 minutes. Recommend this place to all.”

How to get there and where to park

If you’re driving from Surrey you will want to take the A3, passing through Petersfield and Waterlooville, it should take around an hour depending on where in Surrey you are. Travelling from Haslemere will take just 48 minutes to drive to Bosham. If you travel via train, it shouldn’t take much longer than an hour, for example, it only takes 1 hour 17 minutes to get there from Guildford.

For those who are driving, there are a handful of parking places to choose from, Bosham Lane will cost £2.80 for two hours, and is probably one of the best options for visitors.

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