Coastal plain walking on level, isolated footpaths to the delightful village of Sidlesham and a return stroll along inlets and headlands, with the chance for decision-making and damp feet around Pagham Harbour – just some of the inviting prospects on this walk by Eddie Start.

1 From beside the church of St Thomas a’ Becket at Pagham, walk west along the metalled track, clearing the last of the village houses and passing a caravan site. Immediately after the site it is possible to divert left a few paces and then right along the hedgerow, at the beginning of the Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve.

Follow the hedgeline for about 150 yards, rejoining the road on the right through a gap in the hedge. (The alternative is to stay on the road running parallel to the footpath.)

On arriving at a cluster of houses at Little Wellbourne, turn right on a rougher track for 100 yards and beside a paddock fence turn sharply left, towards the thatched Salt House, a visitor centre for the reserve.

Climb the short ramp to get your first view across the vastness of Pagham Harbour, a huge coastal inlet of creeks and muddy islands that is a haven for wildfowl – the visitor centre has up-to-date information on the bird population and tidal times.

Cross over the metal grating above the control gates and follow the footpath on top of the Pagham Wall, an impressive structure protecting low-lying farmland to the north.

2 In 400 yards, at a footpath sign, drop right down the north bank of the wall, crossing over a drainage stream and entering a field, over a stile. Divert quarter-left to the hedgeline, following the path northwards to the left corner. Pass left through a gate and cross a stile up a bank on the right at Honer Farm.

Take a few paces right around the farmhouse and resume a northward direction.

In 300 yards the track turns right and in 100 yards turns north again. In a further 200 yards the track takes a shorter right turn, going left after 50 yards, beside a clump of bushes that are on the left. Just after the bushes is the take-off point for a footpath that traverses a field, taking a half-right line towards a small cluster of trees on the skyline in 250 yards. (Be aware that this route may not have a footpath sign and could be covered by growing crops, but is the correct line. If you are uncertain about taking this route, continue north for 150 yards and, opposite a sign, turn left along a field edge towards the trees referred to above.)

Go left from the trees, crossing a stile on the right. Walk over a short field section to a track, beside a solitary house. Turn right along the track, veering right to draw alongside Bramber Farm. Pass the farm, soon turning left for 150 yards, and crossing a cattle grid to a path junction.

3 Go left through a gate and immediately turn right along the hedgerow, turning left at the right field corner.

At the next field corner go right on a gravel track to a sign in the opposite hedge and turn left to a three-way junction. Turn right for a few yards then left, in 200 yards turn right towards Chalder Farm.

Divert left, then right between the farm buildings continuing westward. Walk to the left and then right in tree-covered Chalder Lane between the outlying houses of Sidlesham.

At a point where the village street turns right, note the small parking area on the left, adjacent to Church Gate Cottage, turn left and enter the churchyard. Follow the footpath leftward across the church grounds, leaving through a metal kissing gate at the far left corner and coming to a crossing metalled track.

4 Turn left along the track, passing Church Farm. Follow the track for a quarter-of-a-mile and turn right onto a signed, rising path across a field. In 500 yards the path skirts left and right around New Barn and in 75 yards turns right to a minor road.

Take a few paces right, turning left through a gate and going along the right field edge to the corner. Turn left for a short distance, passing right onto an enclosed footpath that twists for several hundred yards, beneath dense shrubbery, to Sidlesham Quay. Beware of ankle-twisting rabbit holes.

At this point the expanse of Pagham Harbour opens out ahead and quayside houses line the edge of the road.

5 Turn left and in a few yards go left again along the village street, passing the Crab and Lobster pub. Continue for 250 yards and locate the footpath sign on the right.

Turn right through the bush cover following the twisting path to the shoreline in 250 yards. Turn left and follow the path at the edge of the tidal reach.

In about 250 yards, with a licensed permissive footpath sign on the bank to the left, it is decision time. If the tidal conditions are such that water is beginning to lap at the edge of the path it would be wise to take evasive action.

Climb the bank and follow the licensed path northwards for 300 yards. On coming to a public footpath turn right and head east to rejoin the coastal path.

6 If you choose to continue on the coastal path, follow its twists and turns through the long grass.

In 400 yards, as a headland appears, take the well-trodden path, going left through the grass, heading north along the harbour shoreline.

After about 200 yards cross a brick-built causeway, going left, then climbing a bank above the tidal reach. The path soon meets up with the high-water alternative path, coming from the left.

Continue for 150 yards, turning right at the next path junction to head back along Pagham Wall. Follow the outward route back through Little Wellbourne, returning along the lane to Pagham.

Distance/Time: Seven miles taking three-and-a-half hours.

By Car: Pagham is south from the A27(T) at Chichester on the B2145. Go left onto the B2166 through Runcton, follow signs for Pagham. Roadside parking close to the church in Church Lane. Start point Grid Ref. SZ884975

By Public Transport: Bus details from www.traveline.info or phone 0871 2002233

What’s underfoot: Coastal plain walking on level footpaths – gates and stiles but no hills. Check on tide times at the Salt House Visitor Centre, Pagham for stage 6. Possible with a baby backpack, not possible with a baby buggy.

Thirsty Work: The Crab and Lobster at Sidlesham Quay.

So you don’t get lost: OS Explorer 120.