Greetings from the car boot (our temporary travel suite)!

Pawlock & Fetchson here - one wise old sniffer and one overly enthusiastic sidekick - with another dog friendly day out on the South Coast. This time we explored Chichester Marina, a shiny, boat-filled wonderland surrounded by peaceful paths, quacking ducks and (of course) a café that serves cake.

Arriving at Chichester Marina 🚗⚓

We parked in the Chichester Marina car park - 2 hours free, which sounded generous at first… but as you’ll soon discover, time flies when you’re having walkies. The marina sits just south of Chichester Harbour, a scenic network of waterways perfect for dog friendly walks, with plenty of spots to stop and watch the boats go by.

From the start, we were greeted by a line-up of sleek yachts, towering masts and the gentle sound of halyards tapping in the breeze. Fetchson thought every duck was a new friend. I (Pawlock) suspected otherwise.

The Marina Walk 🦆🌳

We followed the path that loops around the edge of the marina - a circular walk from the car park and back. There’s plenty to sniff: trees, reeds and the occasional waft of bacon from nearby boats.

Crossing over the lock gates was a highlight - big, shiny and full of mysterious smells. There's even a water bowl by the lock keeper’s office for thirsty explorers. Humans loved the view of boats gliding in and out, while we mostly debated who would get to chase the next duck (spoiler: neither of us).

Coffee & Cake at The Boat House Café ☕🍰

We made our way to the Boat House Café, a friendly, dog friendly spot right by the water. Humans enjoyed coffee and cake while we sat politely under the table, doing our best “we’re starving” faces. The café offers both indoor and outdoor seating, so it’s perfect whatever the weather (and in true British fashion, you’ll probably get both).

As we left, the heavens opened. Rain, sideways. Fetchson did his best “tragic soggy dog” impression, while we took shelter under a tree - just long enough to spot a beautiful rainbow arcing over the marina. Even soggy paws couldn’t spoil the view.

The Costly Lesson 💸🐾

Our stroll was so pleasant - watching the canal boats, admiring the art deco designs, chatting to other walkers - that we returned to the car park 15 minutes late. The result? Buying a parking ticket, that could have bought two tins of premium dog food! Pawlock says it’s a learning experience. Fetchson calls it “the price of adventure.”

Why Dogs (and Humans) Will Love It

• Easy, dog friendly circular walk with marina and canal views.
• The Boat House Café welcomes dogs (and serves excellent cake).
• Water bowl available for pups near the lock.
• Plenty to see - boats, ducks and big skies.
• Check the parking! 2 hours free, but time flies when you’re sniffing.

Next Time’s Pawsome Plans 🐾

Next time, we’ll follow the canal path from the marina into Chichester itself - it looks like a lovely, flat walk that’s perfect for paws of all sizes. We’ve also got our eyes (and noses) on the Boat House Restaurant for lunch or dinner. Apparently, the fish dishes are excellent… we’ll report back once we’ve begged for a bite.

Final Paw-Prints of Approval 🐾

Chichester Marina is a gem for dogs and humans alike - easy walks, friendly faces and great coffee with a view. Even a downpour (and an expensive parking ticket) couldn’t dampen our day.

Two wagging tails from us!
Pawlock & Fetchson – sniffing out the UK, one pawprint at a time. 🐶🐶