6/12/2025 13:30 - 15:30
WHERE:
Viewing Platform, Harbour Office
The Street, Itchenor, PO20 7AW
Are you looking to invest in a new pair of Binoculars and explore the new technology that Thermal Imaging can offer the birdwatcher? Join us on this special showcase trip aboard Chichester Harbour Conservancy's Solar Heritage for a Birdwatching trip around Chichester Harbour. Tickets are £26.00 with 25 places available - Hit the Book A Place button to get onboard!
Binoculars are a special investment to bring many rewarding years of viewing and a trip aboard Solar Heritage provides a wonderful and unique way to test out new products and make the right choice for you. Find out about the latest technology and get general advice about choosing and using binoculars and thermal spotters. Karl from Swarovski Optik will be joining us with the full range of the NL Pure binoculars and the amazing Bird Identification AX Visio Smart binoculars. Harry from HIKMICRO will be onboard to showcase a range of Thermal Imaging Monoculars and Multi Spectrum Binoculars. This new technology has to be seen to be believed.
Products will be available to try in the whole price range from £300 to £4000 and attendees will receive Discount Vouchers for purchases made in the Chichester store following the trip.
This special trip aboard Solar Heritage provides the perfect environment for trying and testing new binoculars: tens of thousands of wading birds and waterfowl spend the winter months in Chichester Harbour. The boat virtually-silently glides through the water allowing passengers a quiet and peaceful way to observe the birds with minimal disturbance. The boat is open-sided with superb panoramic harbour views. There is a large, stable deck and freedom to move around once the trip is underway. Local nature expert, Robin, will be on board to point out and identify key species of interest and tell you more. This trip will be up to 2 hours duration.
Points to note:
-Dress very warmly with layers, coats and hats/gloves. You are welcome to bring your own flask of warm drink or refreshments, we just ask for no glass drinking glasses please in case of breakages.
-The boat is fitted with a passenger lift and is wheelchair-accessible. The deck is stable, level and spacious. If you require the use of the lift please select the appropriate ticket when booking or contact the harbour office on 01243 512301 or by emailing activities@conservancy.co.uk (monitored during office hours, Monday-Friday 9am-5pm excluding bank holidays).
-Sorry no dogs except assistance dogs.
-There is a small toilet on board (apologies this is not wheelchair accessible).
-Lifejackets are available but are not required to be worn.
Parking
Parking is available in the Itchenor public car park which is pay on exit via card/contactless at the machine in the centre of the car park (alternatively, parking can be paid for up to 48 hours after departure via the QR code on the signs in the car park or via our website www.conservancy.co.uk) - see further details on the signs in the car park. Post code for the car park is PO20 7AE. what3words: parkway.mountain.plugs. All vehicles must be paid for in the car park which is Automatic Number Plate Recognition, including blue badge holders. Free disabled parking is available on The Street for blue badge holders including on single/double yellow being aware of loading areas/entrances. You need to ensure you have your blue badge and clock with start time on display. Please be aware that blue badges entitle you to park for three hours and the trip is up to three hours duration plus we ask you to be ready to board 15 minutes before. Parking on The Street is monitored by Chichester District Council.
Meeting Instructions
Please walk down to the harbour and wait on the raised viewing platform near the benches fifteen minutes before the departure time. Please do not wait on the road area/jetty for your own safety. Please note it is a five minute walk from the car park to the waiting area. If you are bringing someone with mobility difficuties, please feel free to drop them at the waiting area outside the harbour office and then go back to park (for blue badge holders see 'parking' above). Your crew member will come up to meet you fifteen minutes before the trip time to lead you to the boat to start boarding. Please ensure everyone in your party is present, this is a scheduled trip and needs to depart at the scheduled time. If you miss your trip we cannot offer a refund. Please check the traffic before you leave and allow plenty of time for travel and parking.
Other Information
Please note that outdoor events and boat trips are weather-dependent. If you have booked, we aim to let you know by email in good time if a trip is cancelled. You will receive a full refund. Winds are our primary concern and the skipper makes the final call on whether winds are within safe operational levels/whether the trip will go ahead. Please ensure you include your email address during booking and check your emails the night before and before leaving home in case of cancellations. We encourage you to book at least 24 hours before if you are interested as unfortunately we may need to cancel trips if there have been insufficient bookings to cover costs. If you haven't booked, we encourage you to check via Ticketsource that the event is still going ahead before you travel. On-the-day tickets are available if there are spaces (pay on board cash or card).
For further information and answers to frequently asked questions, please see our website: www.boattripschichesterharbour.co.uk
We look forward to welcoming you aboard.
Event Details
Starts at 1:30PM
Location
Viewing Platform, Harbour Office, Chichester, PO20 7AW
