Ready to soak up the sun this summer? Then look no further than the stunning county of West Sussex, home to some of the most beautiful beaches, including the picturesque white sands of West Wittering, one of the UK’s top trending beaches in 2022.
Whether you’re looking for a tranquil spot to enjoy a picnic by the sea, an ideal place to ride a paddleboard, or maybe just somewhere your four-legged friends can get their paws wet, West Sussex has it all in abundance!
We’ve put together a list of some of our favourite beaches in West Sussex, all within a 30-minute drive from our tranquil seaside holiday park, Medmerry, and provided you with everything you need to find the right beach for you in 2023.
West Wittering Beach
Located at the mouth of Chichester Harbour and offering an unrivalled, unspoilt sandy beach that families have been visiting for generations, West Wittering Beach is becoming one of the most famous beaches in the country. Recognised as a Blue Flag site, it has excellent water quality perfect for paddling and is popular with wind and kite surfers, and it’s internationally recognised for its vast range of wildlife.
With its natural beauty aside, West Wittering Beach offers excellent facilities including a dog-friendly Beach Café, toilets, showers and drinking water stations, and multiple first aid points and lifeguards from mid-May to mid-September. Its car park fills up quickly during peak times due to its popularity, so booking in advance is highly recommended to ensure your space!
Those bringing their four-legged friends should note that from the 1st of May to mid-September dogs aren’t allowed in the Blue Flag bathing zone (if in doubt, look for signs at the entrances to the beach) but they are welcome elsewhere, and from mid-September to April, your pooches are free to explore the whole beach!
There are plenty of activities for you to get up to during your visit, and if you’re a fan of water-based activities like surfing, windsurfing and kite-surfing, 2XS has supervised the safe enjoyment of Watersports on West Wittering Beach since 1991 and offers board hire, tuition and annual membership, as well as rescue service.
You’ll find disabled parking located by the entrance barriers, as well as disabled toilets, and due to the limited access to the beach, you can borrow a beach wheelchair from the estate office for a £20 fully-refundable deposit.
West Wittering Beach is a truly stunning stretch of coastline, perfect for beach lovers, and just a 14-minute drive (4.4 miles) from our holiday park, Medmerry.
East Wittering Beach
East Wittering Beach is just 2 miles from its popular neighbour, West Wittering, and offers a tranquil coastline with wonderful views, more typical of England’s south coast with its shelving shingle and wooden groynes, but at low tide, you’ll find sand that’s perfect for building sand castles! It’s also entirely dog-friendly from October-April, so your pups are free to explore the beach without restrictions during these months, but please note that dogs are not allowed in designated areas between May-September.
This beach is ideal for those looking for a quieter location that’s easy to access, with plenty of paid parking available nearby, as well as free parking on residential roads and public toilets at the Marine Drive Car Park.
Spending the day at East Wittering, you’re just a short walk from a variety of seaside cafes and restaurants, as well as local greengrocers, butchers and shops, so there’s no need to pack lunch!
East Wittering Beach is a fantastic option for those looking for a quiet day by the sea and is just an 8-minute drive (2.2 miles) from our holiday park, Medmerry.
Bracklesham Bay
With stunning views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight on a clear day, this mostly shingle beach is a fantastic family option for a day by the sea and has direct access to our peaceful seaside holiday park, Medmerry.
There’s so much for you to do at Bracklesham Bay, whether you fancy a swim or you’re a watersports enthusiast looking to windsurf, kitesurf and SUP to your heart’s content, this beach is a perfect spot! And if you’re looking to hire some kit or would like some expert advice, Surfs SUP Watersports are on-hand for any queries.
Maybe you want to do something that requires less energy, well Bracklesham Bay has served as one of the most easily accessible locations along the southern coast for finding fossils, with visitors finding anything from shark teeth to corals, It’s definitely a fun and educational way to entertain the family.
Paid parking is available nearby including disabled spaces, and you’ll find an array of great local cafes and restaurants, including the fantastic Billy’s On The Beach, which serves the best produce from local butchers, fishmongers and greengrocers, and boasts stunning sea views. It’s a hit with the locals and the wider community, so it’s well worth a visit! West Sussex is home to some of the most beautiful and picturesque beaches in the UK, and the trio of West Wittering, East Wittering, and Bracklesham Bay are certainly among the best.
West Sussex is home to some of the most beautiful and picturesque beaches in the UK, and the trio of West Wittering, East Wittering, and Bracklesham Bay are certainly among the best.
Each beach offers something unique and special, from the golden sand dunes and pristine waters of West Wittering to the charming seaside town and local amenities of Bracklesham Bay. Whether you’re looking for a family day out, a romantic getaway, or simply a peaceful spot to relax and unwind, these three beaches are certainly worth a visit, so pack your bags, grab your sunscreen, and head down to West Sussex to discover the beauty of these stunning coastal gems for yourself.
