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Pleasant visit to Bosham, near Chichester, West Sussex.

36 comments


On Wednesday the sun was shining with no rain due so we drove the 22 miles West to Bosham (pronounced Bozzum). It is on one of the small inlets of Chichester harbour.

The village has a unique feel to it due to its unusual geographical position and the tides that regularly impinges itself on the community.

Some of the homes in the High Street have small protective flood defences built into the entrances that appear like a giant step up into the cottage.

Walking down to the harbour we passed these planters…

The next photos show the harbour, young Swans (older than Cygnets, so perhaps teenagers!) and craft on the water.

Inhabited by the Romans, Bosham was the sixth most important town in Sussex in the 8th century. Legend has it that the Danish King Canute sat on a chair surrounded by his courtiers and commanded the waves to go back – they did not, an exercise which showed that even the great Canute was mortal; he got his feet wet! King Canute’s eight year old daughter was drowned in the Brook Stream and is buried in Bosham Church in a Saxon coffin at the foot of the chancel steps.

It was from Bosham that Harold II set forth in 1064 to negotiate with William of Normandy, a voyage that led to William the Conqueror’s return in 1066; Bosham features in the Bayeaux Tapestry.

At each tide the sea comes up high, flooding the rural lower road and some car parking spaces.

At this point it is always wise to look down at the water as it comes in very quickly, we just made it to the safety of the dock as it is on a higher level. The car had been moved but the folk behind us were laughing at running through the water, they hadn’t realised how fast it comes in!

This is a photo from Bosham village, taken some years ago, that shows just what can happen.

I have tried, without success, to upload an aerial view photo of Bosham but it’s not allowing me to, unless I wish to be accused of theft, so just Google aerial views of Bosham to find out more, if you wish to of course!

We walked around past the sailing club and on to the meadow area, then over the stream and on to the church.

We left to have a light lunch at a Hilliers Garden Centre a few miles away, so a good visit all round.

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Comments

 

Thanks for this lovely blog, Shirley. We visited Bosham many years ago and were tickled by the signs warning people not to park their cars, as the tide could come in very fast!

23 Aug, 2024

 

Thanks for the photos, like you, I'm fairly local to Bosham but have to drive East.

Isn't there some speculation the King Harold is buried a Bosham?
I know it's a bit like King Alfred, burial spot unknown

Maybe Harold will turn up under a car park in Chichester :-)

24 Aug, 2024

 

Grandad, it appears that some archaeologists do believe the remains of King Harold, who died at the battle of Hastings in 1066, lie in a tomb in Holy Trinity Church at Bosham in West Sussex.

24 Aug, 2024

 

Loved your blog Shirley and such a pretty village but a shame about the flooding.
And you had the sun! Yay!

24 Aug, 2024

 

That's what I call a blog...a personal experience from a day's outing showing us the Chichester inlet area.Thank you Shirley!

24 Aug, 2024

 

Sheila, did you visit when you were at The Witterings? Folk have to buy a car park permit prior to going there now as it gets so busy!

24 Aug, 2024

 

Rose, I'm so glad we went that day as the following day was cool and grey. So much rain this morning that roads were flooding locally ... :o(

24 Aug, 2024

 

Ha ha Julia, I am pleased you enjoyed this visit to Bosham. I wasn't going to compose a blog but then thought why not?!! The format has changed a little so it took a bit of getting to grips with.

24 Aug, 2024

 

No, not when we were at the Witterings Shirley, it was some years before that. No idea what we were doing there!

24 Aug, 2024

 

Ty for your blog. I have had at least 2 very pleasant visits to Bosham in the past. It’s a lovely place. I remember there was plenty of Samphire along the lower road,(tried some) quite nice. Nice cafe on the front also. Glad you had a nice day out.

24 Aug, 2024

 

A very interesting blog, Shirley! I had no idea the village even existed, let alone of its place in history! Thanks for the walk around & the history "lesson"! 🤣

24 Aug, 2024

 

What a fascinating and beautiful place Shirley. I’m off to google it right now!

25 Aug, 2024

 

It looks an attractive place to visit. I must put it on my list!

25 Aug, 2024

 

Sheila, that's so funny!

Josie, the cafe you're thinking of is still there and was doing a roaring trade when we looked in.

David, every day's a school day!

Karen, I hope you found the fabulous aerial view photo I tried to put on as it really shows how the village sits by the water.

Thanks Angelat, there are some lovely places to visit in that area.

25 Aug, 2024

 

I found a webpage with aerial views of Bosham:

https://www.sussexlive.co.uk/news/sussex-news/bosham-picturesque-west-sussex-village-4969611

25 Aug, 2024

 

Yes, that's the one GoY wouldn't let me upload!

25 Aug, 2024

 

I love this kind of blogs about interesting places I will never have a chance to visit, Shirley_tulip.
Thank you for posting it.

25 Aug, 2024

 

I looked on google maps Shirley, and when you see the position you do wonder how daft they were to build a village there!

26 Aug, 2024

 

Thanks Klahanie, I am so pleased you enjoyed this blog.

Karen, I believe it is all linked to the Romans fishing and taking their catch along the road to Fishbourne. You'll need to Google Fishbourne Roman Villa for a far better explanation than I can give! .... :o)

26 Aug, 2024

 

A very interesting blog Shirley, I enjoy hearing about local history, and it's such a pretty place too ...
I'm glad you didn't get cut off by the tide, it can be frightening when it comes in so quickly (I know from experience lol)

27 Aug, 2024

 

Oh Hywel, that sounds like a scary time for you! Thanks for looking in to my blog ... :o)

27 Aug, 2024

 

what a smashing blog. I love history and how tides etc affect human settlements. Brilliant photos too.

28 Aug, 2024

 

I will Shirley! Thank you x

28 Aug, 2024

 

Thanks Eileen ... :o)

Karen, I think we went on a school outing to the Roman Villa but don't have a clear memory of it!

30 Aug, 2024

 

I also visited the Fishbourne Roman villa with friends many years ago - just remember all the magnificent mosaics made from red brick 🙂.

31 Aug, 2024

 

Sheila, perhaps I should return, with my almost 12 year old Granddaughter!

2 Sep, 2024

 

The car park permit sounds terrible Shirley. We were so lucky when we stayed in West Wittering about seven years ago that we could WALK down to the beach! Lovely memory of tiny granddaughters and Steve giving them rides on his paddle board 🙂.

4 Sep, 2024

 

Sheila, we were very surprised to find that you can Pre-Book your car parking session for a specific amount of time (the “Booking Period”) at the Car Park online. Upon making the booking, you will receive a unique booking reference number and a booking confirmation (with a bar code). When using the Car Park, you must follow the instructions on the booking confirmation issued to you and/or the instructions displayed and in force at the Car Park or on our website. You should be aware that you will be required to pay any additional charge due as a result of your vehicle’s actual time in the Car Park exceeding the Booking Period (and any credit surcharge) by credit/debit card prior to exiting the Car Park or online at ... within 48 hours of exiting. The Estate, its land, car park and beach is private property, owned and managed by West Wittering Estate PLC.

How times have changed since we used to visit that lovely beach!!

5 Sep, 2024

 

Good good grief Shirley, you’d be worried that the powers that be would be in hiding with guns at the ready! Parking at Wittering not for the faint hearted!

5 Sep, 2024

 

I know, it's just shocking, but shows what a very popular beach it is. We wouldn't dream of going there any longer.

5 Sep, 2024

 

I had to do that once when visiting Edinburgh for my daughter’s Hen do. It was a close call as there was only one space left in the car park when I arrived, but it worked.

7 Sep, 2024

 

Karen, I remember that Hen do photo and/or blog! Didn't you take the 'ghost tour' around or am I mistaken?

7 Sep, 2024

 

Not quite..we did a Harry Potter theme game room and then went to dinner at the Witchery all dressed as Witches! It was epic!

8 Sep, 2024

 

Karen, not quite what I was thinking of!!

9 Sep, 2024

 

Not far off!

9 Sep, 2024

 

I don't know how I missed this Shirley but what an interesting place, such history! King Canute losing his daughter to the waves, what a tragedy. I too love history especially of our coastal villages and towns always watching Ben Robinson when he's on.
It's a wonder some cad hasn't written STOP WITTERING!!

13 Sep, 2024

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