ENJOYING A ROMANTIC EVENING WALK IN SHOREHAM-BY-SEA

We have parked the car in the pay & display car park in Shoreham Fort. 

The start of our circular walk (though unplanned) 

is in Shoreham Fort/ Shoreham Redoubt. 

The fortress was planned then built around 1850s in Shoreham Harbour,

mouth of River Adur in West Sussex as a defense 

to the invasion worries of a strengthening French army ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoreham_Redoubt) 

In hindsight, we just appreciate how the deep reds and the whites of these wild flowers 

seem to mimic the brick elements of the fortress itself. 

Its hard not to think these flowers are not so wild after all. 

These vibrant hues of pinks abound along the beachfront. 

Growing luxuriously to lush flowers amidst the pebble-laden landscape. 

The shore is lined with these pebbles or rather stones 

and in fact you can just sit down on these without any picnic towels or blankets.

You wont have to worry about sand clinging to your clothing. 

The beachfront is lined with modern houses that are more like

from South Beach rather than South East. 

The seafront has alot of room. 

You can bring your whole family and still have alot of space far from the next group. 

Are these wildflowers? or cultivated plants? 

Whatever they are, they all look happy under the sun 

with a burst of rich summer colours. 

The seafront has a lovely boardwalk 

but it can get really busy as it is shared by joggers, walkers, cyclists, 

families, and dog-walkers alike. 

Shoreham-by-Sea seafront is different from Brighton 

as its got a more natural and cosier feel to it compared to Brighton 

which has gone very commercial. 

In fact it is so hard to spot the natural flora in Brighton seafront 

save for the ones growing just outside the naturist beach. 

I don’t know the name for these delicate beauties 

but alot of them show-off their bright flowers at this time of year. 

Kite-surfers and other watersports enthusiasts 

seem to be having the time of their lives 

harnessing the power of the wind to surf gracefully on these choppy waters. 

Looks like a poppy flower or maybe not. 

Nature is such a genius artist; 

no, the artwork of a genius Creator whose power knows no bounds. 

Further inland with our walk, walking along the River Adur 

reveals beautiful riverside sceneries that reminds you of a river idyll. 

These boats lay stranded on the river bed for now

but as you shall see later on our way back on the other side, 

these boats will soon rise with the tidal waters. 

A fisherman, framed by these delicate yellow flowers 

is seen fishing in the low tidal waters of the river. 

It won’t be long til high tide again. 

The bridge in the horizon is an active railway bridge. 

We thought we could cross the river that soon 

but unfortunately (or rather fortunately) not yet. 

This is the view of the airport seen from the riverside walk. 

You can enjoy a lovely breeze along this path 

which is made more magical by the wildflowers that line it. 

You can also enjoy the view of the hills that make up the South Downs in the horizon. 

Along the riverbank is what probably looks like a ruin of a pillbox. 

It makes sense as Shoreham is fortified to defend the British 

from the threat of a French invasion. 

The wooden bridge is the Old Shoreham tollbridge 

which was probably built for horse drawn carriages during the 1700s. 

It is now mainly used by pedestrians and some cyclists 

and perhaps light vehicles are also not allowed anymore. 

It is more of a heritage structure than of utility. 

This sweet lady here was very friendly. 

She told us how it all seemed so just yesterday 

when they were doing up the bridge. 

Of course, as you shall see later on on the plaque, 

the bridge was built around 1700s, 

so its wasn’t that date that she meant:) 

Of course for documentation’s sake, here is the text transcription of this plaque: 

OLD SHOREHAM TOLLBRIDGE

Originally Built 1781

Restored 2008

by

Old Shoreham Tollbridge Community Trust & West Sussex County Council

Reopened by

HRH THE DUKE OF YORK, KG,

23rd October 2008

This is the cosy Red Lion pub, 

very inviting pub stop along the River Adur. 

We’ve eaten here once probably 3 years ago when we were doing the River Adur walk 

from somewhere further upstream. 

We didn’t know how far the river goes 

so after a tiring walk we decided that time to have a late lunch, 

order a big mixed grill platter for two and a cold beer. 

After a hearty meal in the pub we decided to walk back along River Adur. 

Fast forward to today, 

we would have loved to have some pub grub here 

but due to COVID-19 restrictions, 

the pub is still closed for business. 

The Amsterdam Inn sits just across Red Lion Pub. 

Beautiful wildflowers like this daisy are dotted along River Adur. 

They really do add to aesthetics and romantic appeal of the river walk. 

Pink wild flowers frame a beautiful riverscape. 

These boats along River Adur have risen along with the tidal waters. 

The sun glistening on the water amidst the stationary boats 

makes the look even more romantic. 

This river walk is proving really enjoyable. 

The residents of these riverside flats are definitely having the time of their lives. 

Shoreham-by-Sea is a lovely town and offers plenty of sights 

that can destress your mind. 

The walk probably took 3-4 hours circular, 

which felt less than that as its got a diversity of views. 

We thoroughly enjoyed the walk, 

only one thing missing: a good sampling of food from a traditional pub. 

As pubs and restaurants were still closed at the time of visit, 

we just had to rely on food/snacks inside our backpack.