IDYLLIC MOORINGS

Serene, tranquil, historic, Birdham Pool Marina in Chichester Harbour is a sheltered gem with space for 290 vessels. Run by Castle Marinas, it was Britain’s first marina, opened in 1937 on a tidal millpond that powered one of seven corn mills around the harbour. Today, the surrounding Sussex landscape has lost none of its beauty or atmosphere – an AONB that comprises farmland, tidal inlets, flats and saltings, which attract wildfowl and waders, with the cultural hub of Chichester a 30-minute bicycle ride along the Salterns Way. Berths at Birdham Pool cost from £3,000 a year, including use of luxury showers, laundry and a customer lounge. For practical needs there are marine trades on site, and you can relax and refuel at the Scuttlebutt Café, which has an outdoor deck looking out onto the relaxing scene. For landlubbers who hanker after harbour life, there are also six new Waterlodge houseboats for sale, from £120,000 each. To find out more, call Birdham Pool Marina on 01243 512310 or go to castlemarinas.co.uk.