West Wittering Beach - 10 Things to Know Before Visiting

Beaches

About West Wittering Beach

West Wittering Beach is a beautiful, sandy beach located on the coast of West Sussex in England. The beach is well-known for its stunning views, clear water, and wide range of activities. Visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, and more. There are also plenty of restaurants and cafes nearby for grabbing a bite.

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Hotels to stay near West Wittering Beach

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Things to Do at West Wittering Beach

West Wittering Beach is a stunning stretch of coastline. With its gentle waves and sandy shores, it's the perfect place to relax and take in the natural beauty of the area. Here are a few of the many things you can do at West Wittering Beach:

  • Soak up the sun: With its southern exposure, West Wittering Beach is great to catch some rays. Grab your sunscreen and beach towel and enjoy a leisurely day by the water.
  • Go for a swim: The water at West Wittering Beach is clean and safe for swimming, making it a great spot for a refreshing dip. Just be sure to heed the lifeguard's warnings and stay within your depth.
  • Explore the tide pools: At low tide, the rocky areas around West Wittering Beach are exposed, revealing a variety of tidal pools. These provide an excellent opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the local marine life. Just be careful not to disturb delicate creatures or ecosystems.
  • Take a walk: The beach is flanked by two nature reserves - East Head and West Head - so there are plenty of opportunities to explore.

Activities Around

History of West Wittering Beach

The beach is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The sand dunes at West Wittering are some of the most important in Europe for their rare species of flora and fauna. 

The beach is situated in the lee of the Isle of Wight, sheltered from the prevailing southwest winds, and as a result, the water is usually calm and clean. 

The beach has been a popular tourist destination for many years and was even featured in the 1967 film version of ‘The Battleship Potemkin’.

Best Time to Visit West Wittering Beach

The best time to visit West Wittering Beach is between May and September when the weather is warm and the water is calm. During these months, there are also a number of events and festivals taking place at the beach.

Tips for Visiting West Wittering Beach

  1. Don't forget your sunscreen and water! The sun can be quite strong at the beach, so make sure to apply sunscreen before spending time in the sun.
  2. Bring a beach towel or blanket to sit on.
  3. Make sure to wear appropriate footwear. The sand can be hot during summer months, so wearing flip flops or other light shoes is recommended.
  4. Lastly, enjoy your time at the beach! Relax, take in the scenery, and create some amazing memories at West Wittering Beach.
  5. Walk along the coastline. There are some beautiful views to be enjoyed, and you may even spot some wildlife.

Interesting Facts and Trivias About West Wittering Beach

  1. The beach is situated on the Chichester Harbour, which is a protected Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 
  2. The beach is well-known for its windsurfing and kitesurfing conditions. 
  3. The beach is managed by the National Trust, and has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to its rare habitats and wildlife.
  4. It is considered to be one of the best beaches in the UK for swimming due to its clean water and gently sloping shoreline. 

How Much Time Did Visitors Spend at West Wittering Beach

Every year, thousands of people visit the beach to enjoy its beautiful scenery and amenities. The average visitor spends about four hours at the beach. This includes the time spent enjoying activities such as swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking. Visitors tend to spend less time at the beach during the winter months when the weather is colder.

How to Reach West Wittering Beach

This serene stretch of sand is located in the county of West Sussex, just a short distance from the city of Chichester. Visitors can reach the beach by car, train, or bus. The easiest way to get there by car is to take the A286 from Chichester; the journey takes about 20 minutes. 

Those travelling by train can take a direct service from London Victoria station to Chichester, and then catch a connecting bus to the beach. The whole journey takes around two hours. 

Entrance Fee of West Wittering Beach

he entrance fee of West Wittering Beach in West Sussex is £6 for adults and £3 for children. However, the fee changes per season,  you can get more details from here: https://www.westwitteringestate.co.uk/how-to-book

Opening Hours of West Wittering Beach

West Wittering Beach is open every day from 9am to 5pm. During the summer months (July and August), the beach is open until 8pm.

Attractions Near West Wittering Beach

Chichester Harbour

Chichester Harbour

3.38km from West Wittering Beach

Chichester Harbour is one of the most popular recreational area. The SSSI is part of Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty[3] and Solent Maritime Special Area of Conservation. It is also part of Chichester and Langstone Harbours Ramsar site, Special Protection Area[6] and Nature Conservation Review site, Grade I. Part of it is a Geological Conservation Review site and two areas are Local Nature Reserves.

Thorney Island

Thorney Island

4.6km from West Wittering Beach

Thorney Island is a peninsula which juts out into Chichester Harbour, driving a wedge between the Emsworth Channel and Thorney Channel. It was bet known for its military airbase, but before the airbase was built there was a small but thriving village here. A coastal public footpath, part of the Sussex Border Path encircles the island, but public access to the south of the island is limited to the footpath and the church of St Nicholas at West Thorney.

Hayling Island Beach

Hayling Island Beach

5.28km from West Wittering Beach

Hayling Island has over 3 miles of beaches along the seafront facing the Solent and many more miles of shore around the Harbours of Langstone and Chichester. The three main beaches of the Island have won both the European Blue Flag and the Keep Britain Tidy Group – Seaside Award Flag for cleanliness and management.

Funland Amusement Parks

Funland Amusement Parks

5.73km from West Wittering Beach

Funland Amusement Park offers a variety of attractions indoors and out, so whatever the weather, rain or shine, there is always plenty to do.The park is a typical funfair-styled park with the rides mainly being travelling rides from various independent funfair operators, with some rides sourced from other amusement parks.

Langstone Harbour

Langstone Harbour

7.96km from West Wittering Beach

Langstone Harbour is a thriving port with facilities for commercial aggregate import as well as recreational boating including sailing, sport fishing and so more. The Harbour is a haven for charter fishing boats and commercial fishermen. Recreational activities such as yachting, dinghy sailing, motor cruising, wind-surfing, water skiing, jet skiing and canoeing are all well established.

RSPB Pagham Harbour LNR

RSPB Pagham Harbour LNR

8.63km from West Wittering Beach

Pagham Harbour is a glorious and peaceful nature reserve, one of the few undeveloped stretches of the Sussex coast. This sheltered inlet is an internationally important wetland site for wildlife. Watch black-tailed godwits and little egrets by day, then linger when skies are clear for an amazing sunset.

Discover More Attractions in West Sussex, Home of West Wittering Beach

West Sussex

West Sussex

78 attractions

West Sussex is a county in South East England on the English Channel coast. The county has a long history of human settlement dating back to the Lower Paleolithic era. West Sussex has a range of scenery, including Wealden, downland, and coastal.

Location of West Wittering Beach

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