West Sussex beaches compared

How to choose a West Sussex beach: a four-factor method

West Sussex beaches are not a single product. The coast from Shoreham to Selsey is almost entirely shingle, but sand is exposed at low water at many spots, and a few locations hold sand at all states of tide. The real differences are not sand versus shingle but in tide range, wind exposure, habitat, and transport access. Use these four constraints as your decision rule, not a generic “best beach” list.

Tide is the first filter. The West Sussex coast has a spring tide range of up to 6.5 metres at Littlehampton (Met Office, 2025). A beach that looks like a broad sandflat at low tide becomes a narrow shingle bank at high tide. If you want to swim, check the tide table for low water around midday so you have a safe, gently shelving entry. If you want to walk a firm strand, go two hours either side of low tide. If you want to sit on dry sand, you need a beach that holds sand above the high-tide line: West Wittering, Selsey East Beach, and parts of Worthing and Littlehampton (West Sussex County Council, 2023). Everywhere else, expect shingle above the tide line.

Wind is the second filter. The prevailing south-westerly wind makes west-facing beaches choppier and more exposed. East-facing beaches such as Selsey East Beach and parts of Bognor Regis are more sheltered. The Met Office issues a daily coastal forecast; check it before you go. A Force 4 onshore wind will make swimming unpleasant and blow sand into your face even on a “sand” beach.

Habitat is the third filter. Chichester Harbour and Pagham Harbour are not bathing beaches but intertidal wildlife reserves. They offer birdwatching, sailing, and quiet walks, not swimming. If you want a nature reserve with a visitor centre, go to Pagham Harbour (RSPB). If you want a harbour with sailing and cafes, go to Chichester Harbour. Neither is a beach for a towel and a paddle.

Transport is the fourth filter. The nearest railway station to West Wittering is Chichester, six miles away (National Rail, 2025). Bognor Regis station is 0.2 miles from the beach, Littlehampton station 0.3 miles, Worthing station 0.5 miles (National Rail, 2025). If you are arriving by train, choose Bognor, Littlehampton, or Worthing. If you are driving, West Wittering requires pre-booking its car park in summer (West Sussex County Council, 2023). If you are cycling, all main beaches have cycle parking, but capacity varies.

The four beach types

Use this table to match your day out to a beach type. All information is from West Sussex County Council (2023), Environment Agency (2024), and Keep Britain Tidy (2025).

Beach	Type	Swimming	Facilities	Dog ban (1 May, 30 Sep)	Rail access
West Wittering	Sand (low tide)	Good, lifeguard	Full: accessible boardwalk, wheelchairs, toilets, cafe	Yes, partial	6 miles from Chichester
East Wittering	Shingle/sand	Good, lifeguard	Toilets, cafe	Yes, partial	6 miles from Chichester
Selsey East Beach	Sand	Good	Toilets, cafe	Yes	8 miles from Chichester
Bognor Regis	Shingle/sand	Good, lifeguard	Toilets, cafes, pier	Yes, partial	0.2 miles from station
Littlehampton	Sand (low tide)	Good, lifeguard	Toilets, cafes, pier	Yes, partial	0.3 miles from station
Worthing	Shingle/sand	Good, lifeguard	Toilets, cafes, pier	Yes, partial	0.5 miles from station
Shoreham-by-Sea	Shingle	Fair	Toilets, cafe	Yes	0.4 miles from station
Felpham	Shingle	Fair	Toilets	Yes	1 mile from Bognor
Pagham Harbour	Mudflat/shingle	Not suitable	Visitor centre (RSPB)	No, but on-lead	3 miles from Chichester

All nine designated bathing waters in West Sussex were rated ‘Excellent’ or ‘Good’ in the 2024 classification (Environment Agency, 2024). Four beaches held Blue Flag status in the 2025 season: West Wittering, East Wittering, Selsey East Beach, and Littlehampton Coast (Keep Britain Tidy, 2025).

Swimming and safety

RNLI lifeguards patrol at West Wittering, Bognor Regis, Littlehampton, and Worthing from May to September (RNLI, 2025). At other beaches, swim only at your own risk. The sea temperature in August averages 16-18 °C (Met Office, 2025). Spring tides create strong currents, especially around the harbour mouths. Never swim alone, and always check the tide table for the day.

Facilities and access

West Wittering is the only beach with full accessible facilities: beach wheelchairs, an accessible boardwalk, and accessible toilets (West Sussex County Council, 2023). All other main beaches have standard public toilets and cafes, but availability varies. Toilets at smaller beaches such as Felpham may be locked outside the summer season. Check the local council website before you travel.

Dogs are banned on many West Sussex beaches between 1 May and 30 September under local byelaws enforced by Arun District Council (2025). The ban zones vary: some beaches allow dogs on leads on the promenade but not on the sand; others ban them entirely. Check the specific dog restriction map for the beach you plan to visit. Pagham Harbour allows dogs on leads year-round.

South Downs

The South Downs National Park does not include the beaches. The South Downs Way runs from Winchester to Eastbourne along the chalk ridge, not the coast (South Downs National Park Authority, 2024). However, the Downs provide a backdrop and a walking option for a combined day: walk a section of the South Downs Way in the morning, then head to the coast for the afternoon. The best combined days are from Chichester (walk up to the Trundle or Kingley Vale, then drive or bus to West Wittering) or from Worthing (walk up to Cissbury Ring, then to the beach).

Chichester

Chichester is the gateway to West Wittering, East Wittering, and Selsey. The city has a cathedral, a market cross, and a good range of shops and cafes. The nearest railway station is Chichester, with direct trains from London Victoria (about 1 hour 40 minutes) and Brighton (about 1 hour). From Chichester, take the Coastliner bus (route 51 or 52) to the beaches. Driving to West Wittering in summer requires pre-booking the car park.

Arundel

Arundel is inland, not on the coast. Its nearest beach is Littlehampton, 3 miles away. Arundel Castle and the WWT Arundel Wetland Centre are the main attractions. If you are visiting Arundel, you can combine it with a trip to Littlehampton beach. Littlehampton station is on the same railway line as Arundel (one stop east). The beach has a pier, a sandflat at low tide, and lifeguards in summer.

Worthing

Worthing is a seaside town with a Victorian pier, a long shingle beach with sand at low tide, and a station 0.5 miles from the beach (National Rail, 2025). It has lifeguards in summer and a full range of facilities. The beach is less crowded than West Wittering and easier to reach by train. Worthing is also the best base for combining a beach day with a walk on the Downs: Cissbury Ring is 3 miles north.

Crawley

Crawley is inland and has no beach. Its nearest coast is Shoreham-by-Sea, about 15 miles south. Crawley is a transport hub with good rail and road links to the coast. If you are staying in Crawley, take the train to Worthing (about 30 minutes) or drive to Shoreham. Crawley is not a coastal destination but a practical base for exploring the wider area.

What to do before you go

1. Check the tide table for your chosen beach. Use the Met Office or a dedicated tide predictor.
2. Check the Met Office coastal forecast for wind and sea state.
3. Check the dog restriction map for the specific beach if you are bringing a dog.
4. Check the car park situation: West Wittering requires pre-booking in summer; other beaches are pay-and-display.
5. Check the RNLI lifeguard service for the date (May, September only).
6. Check the Environment Agency’s bathing water quality classification for the current year.
7. Check the train timetable for engineering works if travelling on a Sunday.

Common mistakes

• Assuming “sand” means dry sand all day: West Wittering and Littlehampton have sand at low tide but shingle at high tide.
• Going to Pagham Harbour expecting a swimming beach: it is a nature reserve.
• Ignoring the tide: a 6.5-metre range means the beach changes completely in six hours.
• Taking a dog to a beach with a summer ban: the fines are real and enforced by the local council.
• Relying on a mobile phone for directions: many coastal areas have poor signal.