Birdham Pool Marina photos

Birdham Pool Marina, UK South Coast

Birdham Pool Marina, UK South Coast

Birdham Pool marina was originally developed in the late 1930's from one of the last working tidal mill pools in Sussex . The Old Mill building still stands with the lock beside it. The picturesque setting and quiet friendliness is unique to the 'Pool' which was probably the first purpose built marina in England. The 'Pool' is situated six miles from the entrance to Chichester Harbour on the southern edge of the area known as Chichester Lake. 

The marina provides good shelter and facilities.

The historic city of Chichester is a 10-minute taxi ride away, with its popular mix of first-rate restaurants and shops. Two miles from the marina, Birdham village has a convenience store and post office.

Birdham Pool Marina is operated by Castle Marinas

The Approach

After the successful dredging works to the channel approaching Birdham Pool Marina, which has significantly increased the access, a charlet has been designed to provide guidance on the approach.

Tidal gauges have been installed to the seaward side of the lock and the first of the channel piles showing the height of water over the lock sill.

The Entrance

Birdham Pool is on the southern edge of Chichester lake and is a non tidal basin except at high water springs when the lock is operated on free flow at the top of the tide. Normally, entrance and exit via the lock is available three and a half hours either side of Portsmouth high water.

Birdham Pool can accommodate upto 265 vessels and berthing is mostly between piles, bow or stern to the shore or jetties . There is a range of larger pontoon berths which can accommodate vessels between 14 and 16.5 metres.

The duty Lock Keeper can be contacted on 07831 466815 during the normal operational times and VHF Channel 80 for locking instructions.

Further locking Information