The Selsey Tram Way is an approximately 18 km walk, that roughly follows the route of a disused tram line, The Selsey Tramway, that used to run from Chichester to Selsey.
The Selsey Tram ran from 1896 to 1935. It was the innovation of Colonel Stephens, who was an engineer and who also built the Kent and East Sussex Railway. The tramway was originally called The Hundred of Manhood and Selsey Tramway and then the West Sussex Railway. It had 11 stations on the way, but no railway signals or gated crossings. Parts of it got washed away by the sea but were rebuilt!
Need to know information
The walk starts from opposite the train station. It is well waymarked all the way and there are information boards on route providing lots of helpful details about the tramway and the stories that surround it.
The route finishes on East Beach at the end of Beach Road in Selsey. There is a bus stop a short distance from the beach, with buses back to Chichester every 15 minutes. If you want to walk this route over two days, break at Sidlesham. Either head back to Chichester by bus or stay overnight. The Crab and Lobster at Sidlesham Quay have accommodation but it’s a little further to walk.
Unfortunately, the route does not cover the exact route of the tram because that is just not possible. Instead, it zigs and zags its way south. Although it is well signed, I would recommend you take a map or map app with you. The route also follows section of route 288 of the National Cycle Network.
Route summary
The route is completely flat. You set off from the train station and quickly pick up the Chichester Canal path which you follow all the way to Hunston. From there, you pass Hunston church and then cross Chichester Golf Course. It’s at this point, you start to feel the air change and get the first salty breeze that hints at the sea.
From the golf course, you cross open farm land. As we approached Sidlesham Common, the path was too overgrown with rapeseed to be passable so we doubled back and walked via footpaths and across marshy farmland. This is when it helps to have a map app with you.
The smell of the sea and the freshness in the air got stronger as we headed south and we eventually emerged at Sidlesham Quay, having cut out a bit of road work. This is slightly off the official route, so to rejoin it, we walked back to Ferry House along the edge of the harbour, admiring abundant plum trees growing along the banks.
The official route from Ferry House is inland (recommended alternative below). You cross the road from the harbour and head across fields until you come to a holiday park (the Selsey Country Club) on the edge of the town. It’s a long straight walk from here to East Beach and your legs are really feeling it now.
Alternative route
From Sidlesham Quay or Ferry House, it is possible to walk to the finish of this route via the coastal path. It’s not the official route, but in my view, it’s much nicer, taking you around the harbour, via Church Norton and then along the coast, past the iconic railway carriages to the finish.
Points of interest
Chichester Canal is the first point of interest. There are information boards here, butterfly sculptures and lots of wildlife. It is also scenic and quiet as you walk along the canal path. The Poyntz bridge is a notable feature. It was a swing bridge that was built in 1820 and moved to its current position in 1982 after it broke. It’s the last remaining of 14 swing bridges on the Portsmouth and Arundel Canal.
St Leodegar’s Church at Hunston is quirky but was locked when we visited. It’s a Victorian replacement of a Medieval church.
At the golf course, there was once a siding and halt (Hoe Farm Halt) so look out for the information board here. If you go the Sidlesham Quay route, the Crab and Lobster do excellent food and stop at the harbour edge. The Romans, the Saxons and St Wilfred all landed here and this was once a busy natural harbour with waterside mills. Pagham Harbour is now an RSPB Local Nature Reserve.
This is a lovely walk, through beautifully unspoilt countryside. It feels remote at times, and wonderfully wild. It’s a long way to walk in one day but has a romantic feel with tales along the way of a time gone by.
If you’ve enjoyed this article about the Selsey Tram Way, you may also like:
