What are the ingredients for a great day out by the sea? A coastal location offering a good walk, fantastic seafood and plenty of history and culture to enjoy if it rains. Alex Fisher visits the Crown & Anchor near Chichester and finds the perfect combination
WHAT’S THE BUZZ?
If you arrive at the Crown & Anchor just before sunset, you’ll likely catch the harbour in one of its quietest and most beautiful moods. Boats, both working and leisure, sit moored close to the terrace, their masts creaking gently. The water comes right up to the pub’s edge at high tide and there’s a salty breeze that lifts off the harbour. It’s a lovely place for food and a drink, tucked away just outside Chichester.
Those who visit this thriving pub at lunchtime can also enjoy a bracing walk along the riverbank before settling down to a fantastic meal. Busy and bustling, even mid-week, it’s a hidden gem and a perfect example of a great coastal pub.
WHAT’S ON THE MENU?
The kitchen focuses on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, particularly seafood caught in and around the UK. The inside menu leans towards a more classic selection, while outside on the Salt Shack terrace, things are more casual – high-quality fish and chips, burgers and ice cream
are among the options.
To start, I enjoyed the baked Shetland scallops, served with a delicious seaweed and lime butter. This was followed by a local skate wing from the specials board, full of flavour and generous in portion. For dessert, there was a rich affogato and those with bigger appetites were enjoying traditional knickerbocker glories.
There was also an excellent selection of mocktails on offer and I highly recommend their Amalfi.
WHO IS THE CHEF?
Head chef Phillip Dankwa leads the kitchen. He’s been at the Crown & Anchor for over five years and was recently awarded Young’s Head Chef of the Year. Before arriving in Chichester, he worked across a number of south coast restaurants. His approach to seafood is refreshingly no-fuss: if the crab is fresh and the mackerel has just come in, he lets it speak for itself. Phillip clearly understands how to balance a menu for both casual diners and food-focused visitors, which makes this pub work as both a local hangout and a foodie destination spot.
IS THERE A SEA VIEW?
Yes – albeit an estuary. The Crown & Anchor sits directly on Dell Quay, with its terrace just above the water. At high tide, it feels like you could dangle your feet into the harbour! From the Lower Deck and Salt Shack, you can watch yachts and fishing boats drift past just a few feet away. Inside, wide windows open onto the marina, so even on colder days you don’t lose that connection to the water. There’s something satisfying about eating crab while watching boats that likely passed it on the way in.
WHAT CAN I DO IN THE AREA?
There’s plenty to explore. The Dell Quay to Itchenor circular walk takes you along the salt marshes and shoreline and offers wide views of Chichester Harbour, with mudflats at low tide, shimmering expanses at high tide and flocks of waders and seabirds in between. It’s about a six-mile round-trip, flat and incredibly peaceful.
Just inland is Chichester itself, where the cathedral and Roman walls offer history and calm in equal measure. For something more active, the Chichester Marina is a short drive away, where you can watch boats pass through the lock or grab a coffee on the pontoons. West Wittering Beach is under 20 minutes by car – perfect for sandy walks and a post-lunch paddle. The pub is also popular with sailors mooring nearby, so don’t be surprised to see waterproof jackets and boat shoes alongside wine glasses and seafood platters.
WHAT DOES IT COST?
Starters are from £7.50, mains from around £16.50 and desserts from £7, or just £2 for a scoop of ice cream.
HOW DO I BOOK?
You can visit crownandanchorchichester.com to book online or call 01243 781712. There’s a small car park next to the pub, but it fills quickly, especially on weekends and warm evenings. If it’s full, you can park along the lane into Dell Quay, but avoid yellow lines and take care not to block access.
Where can I stay?
A Vineyard Lodge at the beautiful Tinwood Estate nearby costs from around £265 per night tinwoodestate.com.
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