Just as notable are the harbour front and seaside villages which holiday makers and homebuyers are flocking to in increasing numbers in search of a better quality of life.

Chichester Harbour is home to no less than 14 sailing clubs and as many as 12,500 craft regularly use the harbour. Living in harmony with all this activity is a thriving habitat full of wildlife. An average of 52,500 waterfowl visit each year making it the single most important site on the south coast of England for these birds!

Bosham is one of three prime areas for harbour front homes here, often selling before they even launch to the open market. The picturesque harbourside village features an historic high street, ancient Saxon church, quay meadow, Anchor Bleu public house and popular Millstream Hotel, all only 1hr 15mins from the capital by direct train from Havant. The old English village feel is reflective of its rich heritage linking to King Canute as well as a mention in the Bayeux tapestry as the oldest sailing club (1907) with its own harbour.

Thanks to its world class sailing club, Itchenor is another enormously popular sailing village host to many national events. The club has even produced a number of successful Olympic sailors. Comprised of roughly 50% holiday homes, this water lover’s paradise is always highly sought after. Key Roads include The Street and Spinny Lane, where we made a record breaking sale on the eve of Brexit for nearly £5m!

Located at the Eastern end of the harbour, Chichester Marina is one of the south coast’s premier marinas offering over 1,000 berths for all kinds of boats and yachts. Certainly houses with their own pontoon having direct access to water are the most in-demand. If you can walk out the door and put your feet in the water the potential premium could rise by up to 50%

The blue flag sandy beach of West Wittering has been a south coast favourite for many years with its views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight. East and West Stand in particular are two exclusive private roads overlooking the Solent. Architects have already cottoned on to this beauty spot and are busy here with a number of proposals soon to launch; a great indicator that the market is on the move here!

Selsey, where it is thought Christianity first set foot in the UK and formerly home to astronomer Sir Patrick Moore, is also well worth a look. West Street is undoubtedly the premier street in this traditional Crab fishing seaside village. The name is derived from the Old English meaning Seal's Island. From the Medmerry in the west, which is the RSPB's newest nature reserve, to Church Norton in the east, this stretch of coastline offers wonderful walks and off road cycling.

Pagham and Aldwick are extremely popular for traditional downsizers looking to escape to better weather - the sun officially shines more here than anywhere else in the UK. Pagham Harbour, a nature reserve of some 1,500 acres of salt marsh and tidal mudflats managed by the RSPB, is a designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Ramsar site (international designation of importance), which means you have some of the most protected views in the country.