Barnham to Bognor Biggity-Bam

A day starting in Barnham and heading south to Bognor Regis for lunch on the beach. On the way we’ll see rolling farmland, streams, examples of past and modern architecture before taking in the sights of a seaside resort. Our return journey will see more features such has pleasant parks, the remains of a canal and a historic church.

This plan and walk will form the lovely Stewart Allen's assessment event as he endeavours to become a Lowland and Hill Walk Leader for OutdoorLads. Your support for Stewart is sought.

The Sights:

Barnham: A village were old meets new. There are plenty of older buildings some going back centuries and new houses, which in fairness do blend in. The village was originally listed in the Domesday book with just 24 households. The area is dotted with massive greenhouses growing an array of vegetables and salad items. If you shop at the major supermarkets then the chances are an item has come from here. The Church of St Mary the Virgin is a lovely hidden gem dating back to 1086. We will be able to look around the grounds and view the inside.

Bognor Regis: Famous seaside resort. You will probably have heard of Butlins there. It is also famous for the ‘Bird Man’ competition that used to take place on the pier. The town took on the ‘Regis’ part after the town petitioned King George. This was following his stay in the town following illness.

Barnham Canal: Who’d have thought these rolling fields would hold the remains of a canal. Sadly, it never made any money and the birth of the railway soon put the final nail in the coffin. 

Swimming:

This walk does not include swimming as the group's insurance policy does not cover it. You may wish to swim but you do so at your own risk.

The route:

We leave Barnham Station and walk along Yapton Road before turning on to farmland and pleasant fields. Every so often we get to enjoy farm buildings or an array of clearly expensive houses. This landscape accompanies us to the outskirts of Bognor Regis. Here we see a variety of seaside properties from various time periods. Once reaching the seafront we enjoy a nice stroll along the seafront. The famous Butlins Park is clearly visible on the skyline for much of this section, together with the Pier. The pier of course offering memories of the Bird Man competitions of the past. After lunch we head back inland passing a pleasant arcade of shops and travelling through Hotham Park. This park is dedicated to and was established by Sir Richard Hotham the founder of Bognor Regis. Further inland still we meet a busy part of town with an array of big out of town shops. It is then a trip over the railway crossing and a walk by an airfield before crossing a golf course. More flat and pleasant footpaths await us as we continue before reaching an historic part of Barnham. We get to visit the local church which dates from 1086 and see the remains of a canal. Finally, a gentle stroll takes us back to Barnham station.

Dogs: 

I love having dogs on my walks. I just ask that owners please ensure they are kept on a lead as appropriate, especially around livestock and when near busy roads. Please, also remember that not everyone is a dog lover.

Don’t Waste That Space!

Walks get filled up quite quickly, so please only sign up if you know you are free to attend. Plans do sometimes change, but remember to free up your space so someone else can take part.

New Members:

If this is your first event or you are new to OutdoorLads we’d love to see you. Please message me (Gavin) if you have any questions.

(All photos taken by the aspiring leader and permission is given for OutdoorLads to reuse them.)