What is the Poddle?

The Wey & Arun Canal Trust, which is working hard to restore 23 miles of navigable waterway linking the River Arun at Pallingham to the River Wey at Shalford, organises a sponsored walk each year. This is the Trust’s most important fundraising event and makes a vital contribution to pushing the restoration effort forward. 

Registration is now open (click here)

Who can do it?

Almost anyone, with the exception of the very young, infirm and pushchairs as the walk covers stiles, a few steps and some inclines. Dogs are welcome especially if sponsored!

The usual format is that lunch is provided, along with refreshment stops along the route, and at the time of writing plans for this remain in place.

Enquiries to events@weyandarun.co.uk if you have any queries or would like to receive a sponsor form.

Download a Sponsorship Form & details

Where, when, how?

The start will be at St Mary's Church Hall, Church Farm Lane, Sidlesham PO20 7RE

Arrive between 9am and 10:30 to check in, receive your Route Guide and start walking the whole route or only the morning route; the lunch stop will be at Hunston Village Hall, Selsey Road, Hunston PO20 1AW

If you only wish to walk in the morning, we will provide transport from the lunch stop back to the start. If you wish to walk only in the afternoon, come to the midpoint stop. Here you can check in and have lunch. The afternoon route follows paths back to the start.

The Route

This year’s Poddle takes in “The Hundred of Manhood”, the ancient name for the peninsula south of Chichester.

We are going to walk from St Mary’s Church Hall in Sidlesham to Hunston Village Hall where lunch will be provided, and then back to Sidlesham in the afternoon. For those who would prefer a shorter walk you can choose to walk in the morning or afternoon only. Morning and afternoon refreshment stops will be provided.

The morning walk is 6 miles and passes picturesque Sidlesham Quay and Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve before heading across country to the lunch stop at Hunston Village Hall.

The afternoon walk, also of 6 miles, continues along a short section of the former Selsey Tramway meeting the Chichester Canal at the site of a lifting bridge, the abutments of which can be seen. There is then a lovely walk along the canal, in which coots, moorhens, mallard ducks and swans proliferate, to Chichester Marina, where hundreds of yachts can be seen, and the lock at the end of the canal. The walk returns via the picturesque village of Sidlesham to the start for a well-deserved cup of tea and a cake.

If walking isn’t for you, why not ...

• Sponsor the Last Man, or just want to support the Poddle? Click to make a donation 

• Make cakes for the walkers?

• Help on the day as a marshal or on a refreshment point?

Please contact the Poddle co-ordinator for more information or to offer assistance - all help is greatly appreciated.

Walking as a member of a 'Team'

Did you know we offer 50/50 sponsorship? If you enter as a ‘Team’ and raise more than £250 sponsorship (minimum £25 each) we are happy to split funds equally with another charity or organisation of your choosing. If you or your organisation wish to take part as a team please register and complete individual sponsor forms as usual but please also complete a ‘group’ form (download here, or contact the organiser).