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Birdham Pool
Birdham Pool is a countryside walk near Birdham, West Sussex. It scores 57 out of 100 for off-lead dog walking (OK).
| Off the lead? | No rules found: check the signs |
|---|---|
| Where | Countryside walk near Birdham, West Sussex |
| Size | About 290 acres (118 ha) |
| Water for a swim | There's a lake, a river and a canal, but dogs are asked to keep out of the water. |
| Parking | There are several car parks on or near it. |
| Livestock | None known |
| Ground | Expect mud after rain: the ground is mostly clay soil that holds water. |
| Shade | 9% woodland |
| Suggested loop | 3.0 miles, about 80 minutes |
What it's like
A large countryside walk of about 290 acres, with 6.6 miles of paths. There's a lake, a river and a canal, but dogs are asked to keep out of the water. Expect mud after rain: the ground is mostly clay soil that holds water. It's mostly open, with little shade on a hot day. A public road runs through it, so take care near the road. There are several car parks on or near it.
Dogs
We couldn't find any published rules about dogs here. That doesn't mean there aren't any, so check the signs when you arrive.
You're responsible for your dog. Before you let it off the lead, read the signs at the entrance, look out for livestock and roads, and make sure it will come back when called.
Watch out for
- Harbour mudflats are soft and the tide comes in fast. Keep your dog off the mud and check tide times.
- Ground-nesting birds breed here from March to September. Keep your dog to the main paths then.
- Canal operator says dogs should be discouraged from entering the water; harbour waters generally unsuitable…
Parking
- Car park · Directions
- Car park · Directions
- Car park · Directions
- Car park · Directions
Suggested loop
A 3.0-mile loop from the car park with about 60 m of climbing , about 80 minutes at a dog's pace, almost all of it inside the site. About 1250 m of it is on lanes or drives that cars use.
Shown dashed on the map above. Drawn by computer from OpenStreetMap paths. We haven't walked it: paths can be missing, private, closed or overgrown.
Pubs and cafés nearby
- The Boat House Cafe · Café · · 0.3 mi from the car park · Directions
From OpenStreetMap. Dog policies only show where someone has mapped them, and they change. Run one of these? Get listed
Questions
Can dogs go off the lead at Birdham Pool?
We couldn't find any published rules about dogs here. That doesn't mean there aren't any, so check the signs when you arrive.
Is there parking at Birdham Pool?
There are several car parks on or near it.
Can dogs swim at Birdham Pool?
There's a lake, a river and a canal, but dogs are asked to keep out of the water.
Are there cows or sheep at Birdham Pool?
We don't know of any grazing livestock, but check the signs and fields when you arrive.
Is Birdham Pool muddy?
Expect mud after rain: the ground is mostly clay soil that holds water.
How long is a walk at Birdham Pool?
Our suggested loop is about 3.0 miles (4.8 km) from the car park and takes about 80 minutes at a dog's pace, with about 60 m of climbing.
Where this comes from
Birdham Pool is an optional extension of the 1.7 km Chichester Marina easy-access route. The canal trust requires leads on the towpath and discourages water entry. Applies to the canal, not confirmed for the pool itself.
Researched online in November 2026. Nobody from Find Dog Walks has checked this place in person. Mud and shade are estimated from geology and woodland maps.
Something wrong? Open it on the map and use "Report a problem with this page", or email [email protected].
Nearby walks
More walks near Bracklesham, Chichester, or all of West Sussex.