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Virtual Field Trips

Dell Quay to Chichester Marina

9. The Canal

Canals are man-made waterways, often joined to a river. They were built to transport heavy and bulky goods before there were railways and good roads.

Shortcut across the main lock to rejoin the walk at the other side of the marina.

View of the Canal

This canal was built to provide an inland waterway between London and Portsmouth.

It was opened in 1823 but was closed again in 1892.

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Swans

Where the canal joins the harbour there is a lock gate. The gates are made of wood and metal and they were operated by hand. They are no longer used but the turning wheel mechanism is still there. The lock was necessary as the level of water in the canal was much higher than the level in the harbour. It could only take one boat at a time. Today swans enjoy a shower from the outflow!

Moorhens on the Canal

The water in the canal is fresh water and where it runs alongside the marina it provides homes and nesting sites for a number of freshwater ducks. These include coots, moorhens, mallards and swans. Water lilies cover stretches of water and willows line the banks.

Houseboats

It is such a beautiful place to live that there are a number of houseboats lining the banks. These are floating homes but they do not sail anywhere.

Raft

Many of the houseboats on the far side of the canal have an interesting way of reaching their boats. It would be a long way to walk if they had to go to the nearest bridge so they have a raft to transport people and goods to the other side. It is moved by a rope strung across the canal. If you stand on the raft and pull on the rope, it moves you across the canal. The ducks think it is made for them to sleep on!

Raft

Swing Bridge

Further along the canal there is a swing bridge. This could be opened to allow sailing boats through on their way between Chichester and Portsmouth.

Barge

There is still water in the canal between the harbour and Chichester. Today there are no barges carrying goods but there is a pleasure barge that runs cruises from the canal basin in Chichester.