Lockgate Dairy's self-catering cottages and bed and breakfast rooms are set within a large south facing landscaped garden with uninterrupted views across arable fields – where deer are frequently seen. From here, there is lots to see and do.
A brief 300m amble brings you to the excellent Monnington Equestrian Centre, where short term livery is offered, this is definitely horse riding territory.
The local area is renown for horticulture and we are fortunate to have several neighbouring growers who sell fresh vegetables and flowers from the roadside – just about as fresh and local as you can get!
Walking out very locally, then Chichester Golf Centre is well within reach from Lockgate Dairy and offers two professional 18 hole golf courses, a 9 hole golf course and crazy golf.
We are just 1.5 miles from Chichester Marina – an excellent spot for admiring sailing boats, power boats and most things nautical, for dreaming about sailing away into the sunset or for a pleasant interesting walk. Water tours take place from nearby Itchenor and these allow you to fully appreciate how delightful Chichester Harbour really is. A similar distance from Lockgate Dairy is Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve, now managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds RSPB, and an excellent place for bird watching or just enjoying a pleasant stroll along the watery fringes at Sidlesham Quay. The Earnley Butterflies, Birds and Beasts experience is also a short drive away and well worth visiting.There are many local walks (details in the self catering cottages and bed and breakfast rooms, with Ordnance Survey maps) and a good choice of local excellent quality restaurants and pubs, including the highly rated Crab & Lobster.
The area is flat and rural so perfect for biking and hiking and for those more energetic there is a cycleway to Chichester and beyond to the South Downs. One major attraction is the stunning West Wittering Beach – 4 ½ miles to the south.
Many of our guests enjoy exploring the historic cathedral city of Chichester with a wide range of shops, tea rooms and restaurants. We also have the excellent Festival Theatre, the Chichester District Museum which is centred on an ancient Roman bathhouse and the wonderful Pallant Art Gallery, too. For stargazers, then The South Downs Planetarium is a definite 'go to' and easily accessible from Lockgate Dairy.
Slightly further afield, to the West is Fishbourne Roman Palace which is of high educational value for children. Portsmouth is a further 15 minutes drive from there and offers a vast range of attractions including The Historic Dockyard where the Flagship of the Royal Navy, Lord Nelson's HMS Victory resides and in late Spring this year (2013) opens a brand new museum dedicated to a Tudor warship of the of King Henry VIII, salvaged in 1982, called Mary Rose. The eyecatching Spinnaker Tower adjacent the bussling shopping centre Gunwharf Quays.
To the East of Chichester the first attraction has to be the Tangmere Military Aviation Museum which celebrates the wartime roots of the airfield and aircraft based there. Arundel is a 'must' for it's interesting shops as well as Arundel Castle and the Arundel Wildfowl Centre. A little way beyond there is Brighton (35 miles frrom Lockgate Dairy). To the North of Chichester large swathes of solling West Sussex countryside and charming villages and hamlets are encompassed by the newly reated 'South Downs National Park', featuring Goodwood House and Goodwood Motor Racing Circuit and Airfield.
