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Charters - Bosham

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Chic, seaside B&B

&BThe famously gorgeous village of Bosham sits on the shores of tranquil Chichester Harbour, and is the perfect escape for world-weary urbanites. But there’s no need to forego your little luxuries in this rural idyll, not when you stay at Charters, a lovely boutique B in the heart of the village.

Just a few minutes’ walk from the waterfront and Bosham’s fantastic pub, The Anchor Bleu, Charters is a picturesque village house, that has been part-transformed into two sumptuous guest suites by its owners, Louise and Patrick. Both bedrooms have separate sitting areas, flat-screen tellies, luxurious en-suite bathrooms and some fab little touches - White Company toiletries, Scottish shortbread, fresh fruit, choccies and fluffy towels. The elegant Anchor Suite has a great light and airy feel about it, while the Sail Loft at the top of the house is more contemporary, with a huge leather bed, under-floor heating, a trendy roll-top bath and a rich red and cream colour scheme.

Breakfast is full, English and aga-fied, with lots of lovely local ingredients. Yum.

Where is it?

The little village of Bosham sits on a small peninsula at the eastern end of beautiful Chichester Harbour. It may be small in size, but it’s huge in historical terms - it was from Bosham Quay Meadow that King Harold sailed for Normandy in 1064 and both he and Bosham Church are depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry. Many believe that Harold is buried there. King Canute also had a palace at Bosham and famously attempted to turn back the tide, right at Bosham Quay. He failed and got wet.

Today, Bosham has spread and ‘New Bosham’ is distinctly modern, but ‘Old Bosham’ and the waterfront are still stunning, with thatched and fishermens’ cottages lining the narrow lanes and the big skies and huge expanse of Chichester Harbour - an official Area of Outstanding Beauty - stretching far into the distance. The village, and especially the pub, are unsurprisingly popular with sailors, with hundred of moorings for boats and yachts off Bosham Quay. If you’re not part of the sailing set, but are itching to get out on the water, Itchenor Boat Hire (www.itchenorboathire.co.uk Tel: 01243 513345) in the neighbouring harbour-side village of, well, Itchenor (you can reach Itchenor by the little Bosham ferry from May to September), hires out little motor boats - the best way to explore the wildlife, beaches, villages and gorgeous vistas of the harbour. West Wittering (www.westwitteringbeach.co.uk), 9 miles by road from Bosham at the mouth of the harbour, is the best place for long, sandy beaches - perfect for swimming and picnicking, while the harbour-side Georgian town of Emsworth, 4 miles away by road, is great for restaurants and delis.

If hiring your own boat scares you to death, there are plenty of boat trips that’ll show you the best of the harbour from the water. Solar Heritage (www.conservancy.co.uk Tel: 01243 513275) is a solar-powered catamaran that leaves from itchenor and Emsworth and is a particularly good tour for pointing out the amazing wildife in the harbour. For something a bit different, the interestingly-named Terror (Tel: 01243 513275) is the last remaining oyster boat from the Emsworth fleet, that’s been restored and adapted for public sailings. You do need to book ahead.

If the harbour isn’t enough to keep you busy, there’s plenty to see and do in this corner of West Sussex. Goodwood (www.goodwood.co.uk Tel: 01243 755000) is only 7 miles away from Bosham - home to Goodwood Racecourse with race meets throughout the year, including ‘Glorious Goodwood’ at the end of July. It also plays host to the brilliant Goodwood Revival, held at the end of September - the world’s most popular historic motor race meeting. There are races around the classic Goodwood circuit, plus everyone dresses up and has a jolly good time. Book well ahead for tickets.

The stunning town of Arundel is another star attraction in these parts, and less than half an hour from Charters. And Arundel’s star attraction? Well, you can see it for miles. Arundel Castle (www.arundelcastle.org Tel: 01903 882173) is the stuff of picture books, its turrets peeking out amongst the trees. Its foundations are Norman, but bits have been added, destroyed and renovated since then to give it its distinctive silhouette. Open to the public from March until October, the castle is still home to the (very lucky) Duke of Norfolk and his family. The 14th century Fitzalan Chapel, castle keep and stunning gardens are perfect for quick blast of history. The rest of the town is a potterer’s paradise, with little shops, delis and cafes lining Arundel’s sloping main street and narrow side alleys. The beautiful gothic cathedral (www.arundelcathedral.org) at the top of the hill almost matches the castle in grandeur, while the banks of River Arun is the ideal spot for some summer lounging about. Visit in late summer for brilliant Arundel Festival (www.arundelfestival.co.uk Tel: 0871 472 0414) - 4 days of top-flight concerts in the castle grounds. Picnics and Pimms obligatory.

Where can I eat?

The obvious place to eat, drink and generally ‘be’ in Bosham is The Anchor Bleu (Tel: 01243 573956). Right on the waterfront, with plenty of basking space outside for idyllic summer afternoons, it gets rammed in the summer, but when somewhere is so lovely (and so close to where you’re staying) it doesn’t seem to matter. Real ale and Pimms flows and their good pub grub is more than satisfying. In the winter, it turns into one of the cosiest places on the harbour.

For some great places to eat, venture around the waterfront to Emsworth - fast becoming the culinary capital of the south. Restaurant 36 on the Quay (www.36onthequay.co.uk Tel: 01243 375592) is a Michelin-starred local legend overlooking the harbour. Unsurprisingly, the food is fantastic - British-led dishes using the freshest local and seasonal produce (including lots of great seafood, naturally) are followed by jaw-dropping puddings and accompanied by a great wine list. Set menu prices mean that your choices won’t be governed by how much pocket money you’ve got to spend. For something a little more low-key in Emsworth, but equally delicious try Fat Olives (www.fatolives.co.uk Tel: 01243 377914). A really cosy and super-friendly up-scale brasserie, within spitting distance of the waterfront, Fat Olive’s menus have perfected the balance between sophistication and comfort food - a vibrant selection of British and continental dishes made with the freshest ingredients.

Real foodies should aim for Emsworth in September, when the Emsworth Food Festival (www.emsworthfoodfestival.co.uk) comes to town (the next is in 2009) - an amazing three-day extravanganza of tastes and smells. If you can’t wait that long, worry not - Emsworth Delicatessen (Tel: 01243 389181) is full of local and regional produce year-round. Perfect for picnics.

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A chic and intimate little B&B in Chichester Harbour's most famous, and picturesque, little village.