Chichester Harbour

Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty encompasses approximately 7,400 hectares of coastal waters, mudflats, salt marshes, and surrounding landscapes in West Sussex, southern England. This sheltered natural harbor system supports internationally important populations of overwintering waders and waterfowl, with tens of thousands of birds including dunlin, redshank, brent geese, and black-tailed godwits feeding on the productive mudflats during migration periods. The complex mosaic of habitats includes extensive intertidal mudflats that are exposed at low tide, salt marshes where specialized plants thrive in saline conditions, and eelgrass beds providing nursery grounds for fish. Traditional sailing and maritime heritage remain central to the harbor's character, with historic villages, wooden boat building, and oyster farming continuing practices that date back centuries. The designated AONB protects not only ecological values but also the scenic beauty and cultural landscapes that make Chichester Harbour distinctive, balancing conservation with continued recreational use by sailors, birdwatchers, and walkers who treasure this accessible coastal environment.