Chichester - Birdham or Bosham

[Dottre]

Hi all, does anyone come from Chichester and have any knowledge orlf Birdham or Bosham. Pros and cons? Our daughter has just got a place at bishop luffa and looking to move to a village nearby. Any recommendation would be so appreciated!

All lovely, can’t really go wrong. Emsworth is also lovely, but a bit further out. Chidham and Hambrook are other options, or Chichester itself. It’s a beautiful area. Very lucky for your daughter to get in to Bishop Luffa, as I’m sure you know, that is a very sought after school!

I used to live in Bosham - I loved it! The harbour is really pretty and lovely to go on a walk around and see all the boats. There are some very nice houses by the harbour, and a couple of little shops and cafes. It can get a bit busy and touristy down there during the summer. I used to live in the newer part of Bosham - near the station which was very handy. It's easy to get into Chichester or Portsmouth, which are both great for shopping. I would definitely recommend it!

I've only driven through Birdham on my way down to the Witterings, but it looks nice too. And near the beach which is a plus point!

I’d avoid Chichester, it’s become a huge sprawling mass, still floods and the traffic is atrocious. Birdham is a pleasant village but the traffic in summer can be diabolical. Bosham is very touristy now. I think you’d do better looking at moving to a village outside these areas.

How on earth did you get into Luffa if you don't live near? People struggle when they live only a couple of miles out. It's always hugely oversubscribed.

That aside, the only thing I'd be aware of between your two is to come from Birdham you have to get over the A27 and it can get pretty busy especially at peak times. Also, in the summer the Birdham road can get absolutely gridlocked with traffic going to the beach. You won't have those issues with Bosham. Bosham is also the same side of Chichester as Luffa. Both villages are on good bus routes into Chichester; Bosham also has the train station. All the surrounding villages are lovely though.

It's a very good school by the way. Teaching is second to none in the area.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts.. are there any villages that you’d recommend?

No comment on where to live but the Anchor Bleu in Bosham is lovely for food!

Ooo good to know, I’ve been there for a drink but not food yet!

That’s really good to know, useful points to think about thank you!

Oh dear 🙈 Are there any villages you’d recommend? We are also wondering about Westergate.

I really quite like the newer part of Bosham.. so handy for the station!

I love Emsworth!! Slightly too far out for various reasons unfortunately. So hard to make these decisions!

Have you looked at Boxgrove? Also Funtington? Fishbourne is lovely too.

Fishbourne is lovely, but there’s a horrendous roundabout on to the A27, which is dreadful. Birdham is a bit too close to the Witterings which are gridlocked in summer.

I often pick out houses I’d like when we walk round Bosham harbour.

So you’d go for Bosham? Do you know much about the six villages? Or even North Mundham, Runcton?

We live just out side Chichester in a village it's lovely. Bishops Luffa is a good school. I wouldn't live too far out side as traffic can be horrendous.

Westbourne (Emsworth) is a lovely village - 20 minutes max to get to and park in central Chi. You can also take a back route into BL.

I moved there from West Wittering a few years ago and love it. A friend has recently moved from Birdham to Woodmancote and she is very happy. The traffic on & off the peninsular is dreadful, really horrendous and they are still building more houses there. It’s really suffered in the past ten years.

From our location we both prefer shopping in Petersfield and Winchester and the A3 to London is easily accessible.

Astronaut Tim Peake went to Chichester High School from Westbourne which is further than BL.

Barnham has the train station, Yapton is a very old village, Eastergate and Westergate have some nice houses. Runcton can get a bit busy and Dandara are building houses there. The farm shop is well thought of and always busy. Chichester Free School is not far away.

I suppose much depends on your budget and what sort of property you want. There are so many lovely areas around that part of the south coast, as well as the South Downs. It would also depend on facilities and public transport, if you need to use it. There are plenty of supermarkets, individual shops etc, but somewhere larger for clothes shops. Chichester had plenty of clothes shops when we first moved here, but many have gone now. There do seem to be new retail outlets opening, but the lovely building that housed Army & Navy opposite the cathedral, has been empty for seven years.

I like to be able to get a bus if I need to and have basic shops within walking distance, just in case.

Just for info, again the a27 between Emsworth and Chi is shut due to an accident.

Check very carefully for flood risks. I'd avoid anywhere south of the A259.

Both are lovely - as is Chichester. It's very pretty, the theatre is amazing and there are some awesome independents like Winter's Moon, Serendipitous & Ghost at the Feast.

Pros for Bosham are more of a village feel & trainline - especially useful when kids get older.

Pros for Birdham are proximity to swimming areas. It does get busy down that way in summer but that's because loads of people want to go to the beaches there.

Boxgrove and Westbourne are very nice if you don't want to be right on the coast. Fishbourne would be an easy walk / cycle to school.

I use the Area360 add-in for RM to quickly detect and ignore flood risk properties, e.g.

I live near Birdham, lots of plus sides and I love it BUT traffic is a killer in the summer on any day that it’s even slightly decent weather!