Days out
Pagham Harbour Local Nature Reserve
PaghamOpenSee opening timesPagham Harbour is a glorious and peaceful nature reserve, one of the few undeveloped stretches of the Sussex coast. Watch Black-tailed Godwits and Little Egrets by day, then linger when skies are clear for an amazing sunset.
About
⚠ Visitor Centre accessible. However due to flood damage, the 30 minute loop is currently not wheelchair friendly ⚠
This sheltered inlet is an internationally important wetland site for wildlife, featuring saltmarsh and mudflats, lagoons, reedbeds, farmland and shingle beach. Follow our trails around the reserve, venturing past the old Sidlesham tramway, along the pebbly beach, and even to our neighbouring reserve, Medmerry.
One of the highlights of summer at Pagham is our tern colony on Tern Island. Take a seat at Church Norton and look out across the harbour to the flurry of activity over the island. The sound of chattering terns drifts across the languid waters mingled with the harsher squawks of the Black-headed Gulls. Common, Sandwich and Little Terns all nest on the island and it is a delight to watch these elegant seabirds fishing in the harbour, hovering briefly before diving into the water for small fish.
If you stand on Pagham Harbour's North Wall at dusk on a winter's evening, you may be lucky enough to experience a true winter wildlife spectacle as hundreds of Dark-bellied Brent Geese and Wigeon pass overhead to graze in the fields north of the reserve. The sound of beating wings can be heard over their honks and whistles, as their sheer numbers add to the darkening gloom.
Download our trail maps to help you plan your visit:
At a glance
Visitor Centre:
14 car parking spaces including 2 accessible parking spaces. Level tarmac surface. Level, surfaced path with lighting to visitor centre.
Additional parking for 25 untarmacked car parking spaces.
No formal drop-off point. No lighting in car park. No height restriction barrier.
- Cars up to 4 hours: £2
- Cars over 4 hours: £3
- Coaches, motorhomes, minibuses: £12
- Blue badge holders, RSPB members, Sussex Wildlife Trust members: FREE (place badges/membership cards on the dashboard).
Church Norton (very limited capacity):
- Cars up to 4 hours: £2
- Cars over 4 hours: £3
- Visitors to the church, Blue badge holders, RSPB members: FREE (place badges/membership cards on the dashboard)
Minibuses and motorhomes please park at our Visitor Centre car park.
Payment can be made using the PayByPhone mobile phone app or by calling PayByPhone direct.
Accessible toilet open daily 9am - 5pm.
It is located in a separate block just next to our visitor centre and accessed by a ramp. It also has changing facilities.
Accessible toilet open daily 9am - 5pm.
It is located in a separate block just next to our visitor centre. It also has changing facilities.
Shorter loop of 0.75 mile, about 30 minutes on level path. Trails may become muddy and waterlogged.
Shorter loop of 0.75 mile, about 30 minutes on level path. Trails may become muddy and waterlogged. Wheelchair friendly.
Toilets open daily 9am - 5pm.
They are located in a separate block just next to the visitor centre.
BBQs are a fire risk, endangering other people and the precious wildlife and habitats here. They are not permitted here at any time.
Dogs under close, effective control at all times are welcome on the public footpaths and bridleways around the nature reserve.
Please keep to the designated rights of way only and clean up after your dog.
Discovery Trail through the Discovery Zone is not a public footpath, so sorry, no dogs are permitted here other than assistance dogs.
Dogs are welcome in the dog-friendly exercise area on Slipe Field and Yeoman’s Field.
A dog water bowl is available outside the visitor centre.
Assistance dogs are welcome on all parts of the reserve.
See what’s here
Contact Pagham Harbour Local Nature Reserve
pagham.harbour@rspb.org.uk Pagham Harbour Local Nature Reserve, Chichester, West Sussex, PO20 7NE 01243 641508