Birdham Pool was originally developed in the late 1930s 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. It is a non-tidal basin except at high water springs when the lock is operated on free flow at the top of the tide.
Lock Times 2020
1st January – 28th March 07:00 – 18:00 (7 days a week)
29th March – 24th October 06:00 – 22:00 (7 days a week)
25th October – 31st December 07:00 – 18:00 (7 days a week)
CLOSED 25th & 26th DECEMBER
The lock is manned 3 hours before Portsmouth high water and 4 hours after Portsmouth high water within the locking hours above.
Lock contact numbers
- Mobile: 07831 466815
- Landline: 01243 511482
- Channel: 80
Birdham Pool’s berthing facility is mostly between piles, bow or stern to the shore or jetties. There is a range of larger pontoon berths which can accommodate vessels of up to 14.5 metres.
Electricity on pontoons
