# Fishbourne: Full Reference > Local news and community guide for Fishbourne, West Sussex. A village on the edge of Chichester Harbour, famous for Fishbourne Roman Palace, with a long history stretching from the Roman invasion to the present day. ## Areas ### Old Fishbourne Old Fishbourne is the historic core of the village, lying south of the A259 between the main road and the harbour. This is where Fishbourne began, and the settlement retains a more rural, village character than the newer development to the north. The church of St Peter and St Mary stands here, as do... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/areas/old-fishbourne ### New Fishbourne New Fishbourne is the northern part of the village, encompassing the residential development built mainly from the 1950s onwards. This is where the majority of the village population lives, in the estates, closes, and crescents that expanded Fishbourne beyond its historic core. Roman Way, Clay Lane,... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/areas/new-fishbourne ### Roman Palace Area The area around Fishbourne Roman Palace forms a distinct zone within the village, centred on the museum and its grounds. The palace site lies just off Salthill Road on the western side of the village, and the museum building, car park, and gardens occupy a significant footprint. The palace draws te... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/areas/roman-palace-area ### Dell Quay Dell Quay is a tiny waterside hamlet at the head of a tidal channel of Chichester Harbour, about a mile south of Fishbourne village. It consists of a handful of houses, the Crown and Anchor pub, the Dell Quay Sailing Club, and a slipway, and has been a landing place since at least the medieval perio... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/areas/dell-quay ### Apuldram Apuldram is a tiny rural parish lying between Fishbourne and the harbour shore, one of the quietest and least populated areas in the Chichester district. The parish consists of scattered farms, a few houses, and the medieval church of St Mary the Virgin, which stands alone in the fields and is one o... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/areas/apuldram ### A259 Corridor The A259 runs through the centre of Fishbourne, dividing Old Fishbourne to the south from New Fishbourne to the north. The road corridor is the most visible and audible feature of the village, carrying constant traffic between Chichester and the western harbour villages. The section through Fishbou... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/areas/a259-corridor ### Clay Lane Area Clay Lane runs through the residential heart of New Fishbourne, connecting the village hall and the primary school to the wider street network. The area around Clay Lane is one of the most family-oriented parts of the village, with the school, the recreation ground, and the village hall all within a... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/areas/clay-lane-area ### Salthill Road Area Salthill Road runs westward from the village towards the Roman Palace and the fields beyond. The road provides access to the palace and to the residential streets in the western part of Fishbourne. The character is quieter than the A259 corridor, with a mix of older and newer properties along its le... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/areas/salthill-road-area ### Fishbourne Creek Fishbourne Creek is the tidal inlet that extends northward from Chichester Harbour towards the village. The creek and its margins form a natural area on the southern edge of Fishbourne, where the built environment gives way to mudflat, saltmarsh, and the open harbour. At high tide, the creek fills ... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/areas/fishbourne-creek ### Bosham Border The western edge of Fishbourne borders the parish of Bosham, and the transition between the two settlements is barely perceptible along the A259. The border area includes the fields and lanes between the two villages, which retain a rural character and provide pleasant walking. Bosham itself is one... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/areas/bosham-border ## Guides ### Fishbourne Roman Palace Fishbourne Roman Palace is the largest Roman residential building found in Britain and one of the most significant Roman sites in northern Europe. Discovered accidentally in 1960 by a workman digging ... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/roman-palace ### Restaurants near Fishbourne Fishbourne is a small village and does not have a large restaurant scene of its own, but its location between Chichester and the harbour means that good dining is never far away. The Bull's Head on Fi... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/restaurants ### Pubs in and around Fishbourne The Bull's Head on Fishbourne Road is Fishbourne's village pub, a traditional establishment that has served the community for generations. The pub sits on the main road through the village, between Ol... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/pubs ### Trains from Fishbourne Fishbourne has its own railway station on the Coastway West line, served by Southern Railway. The station sits on the northern edge of the village, on Fishbourne Road, and provides direct services to ... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/trains ### Buses through Fishbourne Fishbourne is served by bus routes that connect the village to Chichester and the western harbour villages. The main route passes along the A259 and provides a regular service to Chichester city centr... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/buses ### The A259 through Fishbourne The A259 is the main coast road running through Fishbourne, connecting Chichester to the east with Bosham, Emsworth, and Havant to the west. It is one of the most significant roads in the area and has... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/a259 ### Cycling in and around Fishbourne Fishbourne's location on the flat coastal plain between Chichester and the harbour makes it well suited to cycling. The terrain is almost entirely flat, distances to Chichester and the harbour village... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/cycling ### Schools near Fishbourne Fishbourne Church of England Primary School on Clay Lane is the village's primary school, serving children from reception through to year six. The school has a good reputation and is popular with fami... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/schools ### Doctors and Healthcare near Fishbourne Fishbourne does not have its own GP surgery, and residents are registered with practices in Chichester. The nearest surgeries include Lavant Road Surgery, Parklands Surgery, and Cathedral Medical Grou... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/doctors ### Property in Fishbourne Fishbourne is a desirable village within the Chichester district, and property prices reflect its appeal. The combination of a village setting, proximity to Chichester, the railway station, and the ha... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/property ### Chichester Harbour Chichester Harbour is one of the finest natural harbours in southern England and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It lies immediately south and west of Fishbourne, and the village's character is... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/chichester-harbour ### Dell Quay Dell Quay is a small waterside settlement at the head of a tidal channel of Chichester Harbour, about a mile south of Fishbourne village. It consists of a handful of houses, the Crown and Anchor pub, ... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/dell-quay ### Dog Walking in Fishbourne Fishbourne is a good base for dog walking, with a mix of village paths, harbour-side routes, and open countryside within easy reach. The flat terrain of the coastal plain makes the walks accessible, a... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/dog-walking ### Sailing from Fishbourne Chichester Harbour is one of the premier sailing grounds in southern England, and Fishbourne's location on its northern shore puts the village within easy reach of some of the best small-boat sailing ... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/sailing ### Fishbourne in the Domesday Book Fishbourne appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 as two separate entries, reflecting the distinction between the settlements that would later become known as Old Fishbourne and New Fishbourne. The mano... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/domesday ### The Portsmouth and Arundel Canal The Portsmouth and Arundel Canal, opened in 1822, passed through the Fishbourne area as part of an ambitious scheme to create an inland waterway route between Portsmouth and London. The canal was inte... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/canal-history ### Flooding in Fishbourne Fishbourne's low-lying position on the coastal plain, adjacent to the tidal Chichester Harbour, means that flooding is a recurrent concern for parts of the village. The combination of high tides, heav... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/flooding ### Wildlife around Fishbourne Fishbourne's position on the edge of Chichester Harbour places it adjacent to one of the most important wildlife habitats in southern England. The harbour is designated as a Site of Special Scientific... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/wildlife ### Walks from Fishbourne Fishbourne is an excellent base for walking, with routes that range from a short stroll to the harbour shore to full-day walks on the South Downs. The flat coastal plain provides easy going underfoot,... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/walks ### Parking in Fishbourne Parking in Fishbourne is relatively straightforward compared to Chichester, but there are some things to know. The Roman Palace has its own car park for visitors, which is the largest parking facility... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/parking ### Chichester from Fishbourne Chichester is the nearest city to Fishbourne and serves as the commercial, cultural, and administrative centre for the district. The city is approximately two miles to the east, a journey of about fiv... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/chichester ### Apuldram Apuldram is a tiny rural parish lying between Fishbourne and the harbour shore, one of the quietest and least populated areas in the Chichester district. The parish consists of scattered farms, a few ... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/apuldram ### Fishbourne Village Hall Fishbourne Village Hall on Blackboy Lane is the main community venue in the village, hosting events, clubs, meetings, and private functions throughout the year. The hall is managed by a committee of v... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/village-hall ### St Peter and St Mary's Church, Fishbourne St Peter and St Mary's Church is the Church of England parish church for Fishbourne, standing on the edge of Old Fishbourne near the junction with the lane to Dell Quay. The church has served the vill... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/church ### Roman Fishbourne The Roman presence at Fishbourne predates the famous palace by several decades. Archaeological evidence shows that a military supply base was established here very shortly after the Roman invasion of ... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/roman-history ### Old Fishbourne Old Fishbourne is the original core of the village, lying south of the A259 between the main road and the harbour. The settlement here predates the newer development to the north and retains a more ru... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/old-fishbourne ### New Fishbourne New Fishbourne is the name given to the part of the village that lies north of the A259, encompassing the residential areas developed mainly in the twentieth century. This is where the majority of Fis... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/new-fishbourne ### Shopping in and near Fishbourne Fishbourne is a small village and has very limited retail of its own. There is no village shop in the traditional sense, and residents rely on Chichester for most of their shopping needs. This is one ... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/shopping ### Broadband in Fishbourne Broadband provision in Fishbourne has improved significantly in recent years, with fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC) available across most of the village and full-fibre (FTTP) connections being rolled out p... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/broadband ### Fishbourne Recreation Ground The recreation ground on Clay Lane is Fishbourne's main public open space, providing a playing field, a children's play area, and general amenity space for the village. The ground is maintained by the... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/recreation-ground ### Fishbourne Parish Council Fishbourne Parish Council is the most local tier of government serving the village. The council is responsible for managing parish assets including the recreation ground and village hall, representing... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/parish-council ### Fishbourne Conservation Area Parts of Fishbourne, particularly Old Fishbourne and the area around the church, are within a designated conservation area. This provides additional planning protection to preserve the character and a... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/conservation-area ### Fishbourne Road Fishbourne Road is the principal street running through the village, connecting the A259 in the south to the Roman Palace area and the northern residential streets. It is the spine of the village, car... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/fishbourne-road ### The South Downs from Fishbourne The South Downs rise to the north of Fishbourne, forming a dramatic chalk escarpment that is visible from the village on clear days. The South Downs National Park boundary runs close to Fishbourne, an... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/south-downs ### Gardening in Fishbourne Fishbourne sits on the fertile coastal plain between the South Downs and the sea, and the growing conditions are among the best in England. The mild maritime climate, the long growing season, and the ... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/gardening ### Crime and Safety in Fishbourne Fishbourne is a low-crime area, reflecting its rural village character and the generally low crime rates across the Chichester district. Sussex Police data consistently shows the district as one of th... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/crime-safety ### Harbour Birdwatching from Fishbourne Chichester Harbour is one of the most important sites for birdwatching in southern England, and Fishbourne provides easy access to several of the best viewing points. The harbour holds internationally... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/wildlife-harbour ### Archaeology around Fishbourne The Roman Palace is the headline archaeological site, but Fishbourne and the surrounding area are rich in evidence of human activity stretching back thousands of years. The coastal plain between the S... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/archaeology ### Christmas in Fishbourne Christmas in Fishbourne centres on the church, the village hall, and the traditions that small village communities maintain. St Peter and St Mary's Church holds carol services and a Christmas morning ... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/christmas ### Weather in Fishbourne Fishbourne benefits from the mild maritime climate of the south coast, with warmer winters and cooler summers than areas further inland. The village sits on the low-lying coastal plain, sheltered from... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/weather ### Bosham from Fishbourne Bosham is Fishbourne's nearest harbour village, lying about two miles to the west along the A259. It is one of the most picturesque villages in Sussex, with a Saxon church, a tidal quayside, and a his... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/bosham-neighbour ### West Wittering Beach West Wittering beach is the nearest proper sandy beach to Fishbourne, located about eight miles to the south-west at the entrance to Chichester Harbour. The beach is managed by the West Wittering Esta... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/west-wittering ### Goodwood from Fishbourne Goodwood is one of the most significant estates in southern England and lies about five miles north of Fishbourne, on the South Downs above Chichester. The estate is the seat of the Duke of Richmond a... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/goodwood ### Council Tax in Fishbourne Council tax in Fishbourne is collected by Chichester District Council and funds the services provided by the district council, West Sussex County Council, Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, and the... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/council-tax ### Waste and Recycling in Fishbourne Waste collection in Fishbourne is managed by Chichester District Council, which operates an alternate weekly collection service. One week, the general waste bin is collected; the following week, recyc... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/waste-recycling ### Medieval Fishbourne After the Roman period, Fishbourne reverted to a modest agricultural and fishing settlement on the harbour shore. The great palace was forgotten, buried beneath the fields, and the village's medieval ... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/history-medieval ### Modern Fishbourne Fishbourne's modern history is the story of a small agricultural village gradually drawn into the orbit of Chichester and transformed by the railway, the motor car, and suburban development. The rail... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/history-modern ### Fishbourne Creek Fishbourne Creek is the narrow tidal inlet that extends northward from Chichester Harbour towards the village. At high tide, the creek fills with water and connects Fishbourne directly to the harbour ... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/fishbourne-creek ### Supermarkets near Fishbourne Fishbourne does not have its own supermarket, and residents shop in Chichester for groceries. The short distance to the city means that supermarket shopping is straightforward, with several major stor... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/supermarkets ### Moving to Fishbourne Fishbourne is an attractive village for anyone looking to live in the Chichester area, offering a combination of rural setting, harbour proximity, good transport links, and easy access to the city. Fo... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/moving-to-fishbourne ### Salterns Way Salterns Way is a waymarked walking and cycling route that runs from Chichester to East Head at West Wittering, passing through the harbour landscape that lies south of Fishbourne. The route follows q... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/salterns-way ### Energy and Sustainability in Fishbourne Energy efficiency and sustainability are growing concerns for Fishbourne residents, as they are across the country. The village's housing stock ranges from well-insulated modern builds to older proper... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/energy-sustainability ### Dentists near Fishbourne Fishbourne has no dental surgery of its own, and residents use practices in Chichester. The availability of NHS dental places has been a problem across the south of England for years, and the Chichest... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/dentists ### Vets near Fishbourne Fishbourne does not have its own veterinary surgery, but Chichester has several practices that serve the village and the wider district. The proximity to the city means that veterinary care is readily... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/vets ### Historic Floods in Fishbourne Fishbourne's low-lying position on the coastal plain, adjacent to the tidal harbour, means that flooding has been a recurring feature of the village's history. The most significant flood events typica... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/flooding-history ### The Mosaics of Fishbourne Roman Palace The mosaics of Fishbourne Roman Palace are among the finest surviving examples of Roman decorative art in Britain. The north wing of the palace, now protected under a modern museum building, contains ... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/fishbourne-palace-mosaics ### The Roman Garden at Fishbourne The formal garden at Fishbourne Roman Palace is the earliest known garden in Britain and has been replanted to give visitors an impression of the original Roman design. Excavation revealed a pattern o... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/roman-gardens ### Chichester Harbour AONB Chichester Harbour was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1964, recognising the exceptional quality of its landscape and its importance for wildlife, recreation, and the historic char... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/aonb ### Post Office and Mail Services near Fishbourne Fishbourne does not have its own Post Office, and residents use the branches in Chichester for posting parcels, buying stamps, and accessing the full range of Post Office services. The nearest Post Of... URL: https://www.fishbourne.news/guide/post-office ## History - undefined: Roman military supply base established at Fishbourne - undefined: Fishbourne Roman Palace built - undefined: Palace destroyed by fire - undefined: Fishbourne recorded in the Domesday Book - undefined: Parish church established at Fishbourne - undefined: Dell Quay active as port for Chichester - undefined: Portsmouth and Arundel Canal opens - undefined: Fishbourne railway station opens - undefined: Roman Palace accidentally discovered - undefined: Chichester Harbour designated AONB - undefined: Fishbourne Roman Palace museum opens to the public - undefined: Great Storm damages the Fishbourne area - undefined: A27 Chichester bypass opens - undefined: Winter flooding affects the coastal plain - undefined: South Downs National Park designated - undefined: Roman garden replanted at the palace ## Streets - Main Road (A259) - Salthill Road - Clay Lane - Blackboy Lane - Roman Way - Dell Quay Road - Appledram Lane - Fishbourne Road - Deeside Avenue - Mosse Gardens - Harbour Way - Mill Lane - Station Approach - Old Park Lane - Westward Road - Queens Close - Nelson Road - Chichester Canal Path - Park Lane - St Peter's Close - Funtington Road - Fishbourne Road East - Clay Pit Lane - Harbour Meadow Path ## Places - Fishbourne Roman Palace (Heritage) - The Bull's Head (Pub) - Fishbourne Railway Station (Transport) - St Peter and St Mary's Church (Heritage) - Fishbourne Village Hall (Community) - Dell Quay (Landmark) - Crown and Anchor (Pub) - Fishbourne Church of England Primary School (Education) - Fishbourne Recreation Ground (Park) - Dell Quay Sailing Club (Sport) - Apuldram Centre (Community) - St Mary the Virgin, Apuldram (Heritage) - Chichester Canal Basin (Landmark) - Fishbourne Park and Ride (Transport) - Fishbourne Creek (Nature) - Salterns Way (Fishbourne section) (Leisure)