12 Best Beaches in West Sussex: a guide to visiting
The sun has finally decided to appear in Sussex this year. And it’s just as well because West Sussex has some of the best beaches in the UK.
Are you looking for a family-friendly beach for a great day out? A dog-friendly beach to tire out your four-legged friend? Or a quiet location for a few relaxing hours of peace and quiet? You’re spoiled for choice along the miles of coastline in West Sussex.
In fact, there are so many fabulous West Sussex beaches, you might find it hard to choose!
So, we’ve compiled a list of the most beautiful beaches in West Sussex. We start in lovely Shoreham-by-Sea and move westwards towards the twin villages of East and West Wittering.
This West Sussex beach guide tells you the best places to visit and the top things to do. Facilities you can expect to find are included, so you can plan the perfect West Sussex beach day out.
Heading east? Check out the best beaches in East Sussex and how to visit Camber Sands.
Shoreham Beach
Shoreham-by-Sea beach lies to the west of the town’s harbour, close to where the River Adur meets the English Channel. The sloping beach is mainly shingle, with a few rocky outbreaks and a large stretch of wet sand at low tide.
Shoreham Beach is a great beach for walkers with or without dogs and the Monarch’s Way long-distance walking path running close to the beach. There are some grassy stretches and a children’s play area. The boardwalk makes a beach walk easy without wandering onto the pebbles.
This West Sussex beach is also popular with sailors, windsurfers and kite surfers. The waters are generally calm although there are bigger waves to be found in the rockier areas of the beach.
The beach at Shoreham is also a great place for nature lovers. It’s a designated Local Nature Reserve (LNR) that supports around 90 species of plant in large areas of vegetated shingle. The Adur Estuary RSPB reserve is nearby, and this salt marsh is an important roosting area for birds.
History lovers might like to visit the Scheduled Ancient Monument of Shoreham Fort at the eastern end of the beach.
Postcode: BN43 5YF
Lifeguards: No lifeguard service.
Parking: Plenty of car parking on and near the beach.
Dog Friendly: Dog walkers are allowed on the beach without restrictions.
Toilets: Public toilets available on Beach Green.
Cafe: No facilities on the beach, but there’s a good selection in Shoreham-by-Sea.
South Lancing Beach
The shingle beach at South Lancing lies between the coastal towns of Shoreham-by-Sea and Worthing. When the tide goes out, a large stretch of compact sand appears, making it a great spot for dog walkers. The facilities have been improved in recent years, so the beach at Lancing now provides serious competition for better-known beaches like nearby Shoreham Beach.
Lancing is an excellent beach for family days out, with reasonably-priced parking, a cafe and ice cream hut. There’s a children’s play area and BMX/skate park behind the beach on Lancing Beach Green, where you’ll also find occasional events like funfairs, car boot sales and markets.
South Lancing Beach is home to a local sailing club, and a popular area for kitesurfing and windsurfing, especially in winter when the waves are at their best. Designated zones on the beach help to keep swimmers and paddlers separated from the watersports enthusiasts.
Perch cafe is lovely for drinks, lunches and snacks. At the Shoreham end there’s also Widewater Lagoon to explore.
Postcode: BN15 8BQ
Lifeguards: No lifeguard service.
Parking: Limited parking available, reasonably priced.
Dog Friendly: Dogs allowed all year round.
Toilets: Public toilets are available on Lancing Beach Green.
Cafe: An ice cream hut and a café serving hot food, snacks and drinks can be found on the beach. Perch is also a great spot for food and drinks and has parking nearby.
Worthing Beach
Worthing Beach is a pretty, traditional seafront with amusement arcades, pastel-coloured beach huts and deck chairs for hire. The beach is made up of sand and shingle that slopes gently down to the sea, and when the tide goes out, various rock pools appear that are great for kids to explore.
Popular activities at Worthing Beach include fishing and the usual watersports. Careful zoning helps to keep surfers away from those who prefer to paddle, swim or just enjoy a relaxing ice cream.
The long promenade stretches for 4-5 miles and gives easy access to the beach and provides fantastic sea views. You can also take a stroll along the 300m-long Worthing Pier, which dates back to 1862 and is now home to a restaurant and the Grade II listed Pavilion Theatre.
The vibrant seaside town of Worthing also has plenty to entertain visitors, with a wide range of shops, cafes and restaurants. The town lays claim to one of the country’s oldest working cinemas, the Dome cinema, which first opened its doors in 1911. And if you visit Worthing in the last two weeks of July, you can explore the Worthing Festival and its fairground that takes over part of the promenade.
If you’re looking for lunch or dinner you can’t go far wrong with the Crab Shack which sits right by the beach on Marine Parade. There’s parking nearby and the food is excellent.
Facilities
Postcode: BN11 3NT
Lifeguards: No lifeguard service.
Parking: Plenty of paid parking, including a large multi-storey car park and disabled parking.
Dog Friendly: Dogs are allowed on the beach, but they are excluded between Heene Road and Splash Point in Worthing from 1st May to 30th September.
Toilets: Public toilets available on the beach, including a Changing Places toilet.
Cafe: Plenty of places for snacks and meals along the beach and on Worthing Pier.
Goring-by-Sea Beach
If you’re looking for a classic West Sussex beach, you should definitely head to Goring-by-Sea. There you’ll find a long expanse of shingle and pebble beach with a grassy area running behind it. This is the beach we always used to take the kids to in the summer. There’s usually an ice cream van parked up on the grassy area.
Wooden groynes mark the high tide, and a stretch of flat sand appears at mid to low tide, while cute wooden beach huts dotted along the beach add to the overall impression of a traditional British seaside resort.
Goring Beach is a popular choice for kitesurfing, with a high tide that makes it an excellent spot for beginners who want to dip their toes into a new water sport. The beach can get busy at peak times, but there’s still plenty of room for everyone. And it’s just a short walk from the beach into Goring town, where you’ll find plenty of shops, cafes and the local train station.
Unlike some of the neighbouring beaches, Goring-by-Sea has managed to resist the lure of the amusement park. You’re more likely to see fishermen launching their boats from the beach or hauling in the day’s catch. If you time your visit right, you can buy some fish to take back home with you!
Postcode: BN12 4QW
Lifeguards: No lifeguard service.
Parking: Car parks at either end of the beach, plus limited on-road parking.
Dog Friendly: Dogs are allowed on the beach. However between 1st May and 30th September, they are excluded between Heene Road and Splash Point and between the two boat launching ramps in Goring.
Toilets: Public toilets available along the beach.
Cafe: Licensed cafe and shop at the Sea Lane end of the beach.
Littlehampton Beach
The mile of sand and shingle at Littlehampton East makes it one of the top beaches in West Sussex for families. When the tide goes out, this family-friendly beach has the perfect sand for building sandcastles, and the warm shallow seas are ideal for paddling, swimming or snorkelling.
There’s also a promenade, amusement arcade, theme park, and several places to eat nearby. RNLI lifeguards patrol the beach during the summer, and the Kidcare wristband scheme helps to make Littlehampton Beach even safer for families.
Look out for East Beach Café cafe. In fact you’ll not be able to miss it. Britain’s longest bench might take a bit more seeking out.
Littlehampton is a well-established seaside resort that is regularly in the running for a Blue Flag award. It’s also a dog-friendly beach and is a popular choice for walkers and cyclists. There are strong currents off-shore, though, so do take care in the water.
And for a fun family weekend, why not combine your visit to Littlehampton East Beach with a trip to nearby Arundel Castle, which is a short drive from the beach.
Postcode: BN17 5LG
Lifeguards: Lifeguard service available.
Parking: Several paid car parks available near the beach.
Dog Friendly: Dogs are allowed on the beach, but in the summer, they are restricted to the area East of Norfolk Road. They must be kept on a lead when on the promenade.
Toilets: Public toilets are available within a few minutes walk of the beach.
Cafe: East Beach Cafe plus plenty of choice in Littlehampton.
Climping Beach
You’ll find Climping Beach halfway along the West Sussex coast between Littlehampton and Bognor Regis. Climping beach is sometimes known as Atherington Beach after its coastal hamlet location.
Climping is a small, rural beach in a secluded position off the A259, which means that tourists often overlook it. Like many of its busier neighbours, the beach at Climping/Atherington is mainly shingle until the falling tide exposes alarge stretch of wet sand. Along with the shallow waters, this makes it the perfect beach for a great day out or just for dog walking.
Unlike the larger town beaches along the South coast, Climping Beach backs onto low sand dunes, which are protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Part of this area is a nature reserve that’s open to the public. Other parts are fenced off to protect local species and prevent further erosion.
Climping Beach is an excellent location for a coastal walk, as you can head to Littlehampton in the east or towards Bognor in the west. It’s also the perfect place for kitesurfing and windsurfing, as there is a large car park with grass areas for setting up, and the beach cafe has outdoor shower facilities.
Postcode: BN17 5RN
Lifeguards: No lifeguard service.
Parking: Paid car parking is available at the beach.
Dog Friendly: Dogs are allowed on Climping Beach all year round.
Toilets: Public toilet available near the cafe.
Cafe: There is a cafe on the beach with outdoor seating and an outside shower. Another cafe and a pub are just a short drive back up the road from the beach.
Felpham Beach
Felpham is one of the classic British seaside resorts. Just think of sand and shingle, colourful beach huts, a promenade to stroll along and somewhere to buy an ice cream to enjoy on the beach – you get the idea!
The beach at Felpham lies on the eastern outskirts of Bognor Regis. It’s a popular beach, and parking can be tricky on summer days, but it generally tends to be visited more by locals. On the other hand, tourists are more likely to head down the South coast to Bognor.
There are plenty of facilities on and around Felpham Beach. As well as the usual paddling, rock pooling and swimming, you’ll also find a tennis club, sailing club and putting green nearby.
Bognor Regis promenade continues along the seafront to Felpham, and it’s perfect for soaking up the sun, taking a relaxing stroll or enjoying a bike ride. You’ll also find a choice of excellent cafes serving delicious meals and snacks in Felpham.
This makes Felpham our pick for one of the best beaches in West Sussex for a traditional day out by the sea!
Postcode: PO22 7EE
Facilities
Lifeguards: No lifeguard service.
Parking: On-road parking near the beach plus paid car parking about 10 minutes away on foot.
Dog Friendly: Dogs are not allowed on the beach or grass areas between Canning Road and Felpham Sailing Club from 1st May until 30th September. They must also be kept on a lead on the promenade.
Toilets: Public toilets available just off the beach, near the Boathouse Cafe.
Cafe: Two good cafes within walking distance, The Lobster Pot and the Boathouse Cafe, plus several other options in Felpham. If you’d like to spend the night in a stylish beach hut read our Beachcroft Beach Huts article.
Bognor Regis Beach
Bognor Regis has three beaches running from the east of the pier through to the west side. Of these, East Beach is the most popular, as it’s close to the town centre and Butlins resort and has plenty of visitor facilities. The West Beach is quieter and more laid back, and this chilled-out vibe increases as you get further away from the lively Bognor Regis Pier.
As with many other beaches of West Sussex, the sloping shingle bank is held in place by wooden groynes. As the tide goes out, it exposes a long stretch of flat sand that’s ideal for sandcastle building, paddling or dog walking.
Lifeguards patrol the east side of Bognor Regis Beach, and combined with the livelier atmosphere and better facilities, this makes East Beach the more family-friendly beach in Bognor.
There is also the Grade II listed Bognor Regis pier, which was originally around 300m long when it opened in 1865. Fires and storm damage led to part of the pier being demolished, and it now stands at about 107m long. Entry to the pier is free of charge, and you’ll find an amusement arcade, bar and nightclub there.
Postcode: PO22 7AP (East Beach) and PO21 2QX (West Beach)
Facilities
Lifeguards: Lifeguard service is available on East Beach only.
Parking: Plenty of paid parking available all along the beach and in town.
Dog Friendly: Dogs are banned from West Beach between 1st April and 30th September. Dogs are prohibited from East Beach west of Gloucester Road from 1st May until 30th September.
Toilets: Several public toilets are available on East Beach, as well as by the entrance to the pier and in West Park Gardens.
Cafe: Lots of options for food and drink on the beachfront and in Bognor Regis.
Pagham Beach
If you want to avoid the crowds at popular beaches like Bognor Regis or West Wittering, Pagham Beach is perfect. This shingle beach is a little further west of Bognor Regis and lies on a stretch of the Sussex coast with a reputation as one of the UK’s sunniest spots.
This lovely beach is perfect for a peaceful stroll or swim, and there are enough facilities to make your day out run smoothly. Rare flora is found in parts of the beach where there are protected areas.
But Pagham Beach never feels over-commercialised. The little amusement arcade has old-fashioned one-armed bandits rather than the latest computer games!
Close to the little village of Pagham, you’ll find Pagham nature reserve, which offers lovely walks around the harbour. This small reserve’s wetlands and main lagoon are excellent spots for bird-watching and also for watching the sunset.
The 7th-century Pagham church, which is dedicated to St Thomas à Becket, will appeal to history lovers.
If you’re interested in wellness check out Meadow Therapies for sound baths, Reiki and reflexology.
Altogether, Pagham Beach is one of the best beaches in West Sussex for a tranquil day out away from the crowds.
Postcode: PO21 4SU
Lifeguards: No lifeguard service.
Parking: Paid car parking available near the beach.
Dog Friendly: Dogs are allowed on the beach all year round but should be kept on a lead when on public footpaths and bridleways to avoid disturbing sensitive wildlife.
Toilets: No public toilets nearby, facilities available in Pagham.
Cafe: Beach cafe and shop plus other options in Pagham.
Bracklesham Bay
Bracklesham Bay shares its name with the small village that lies behind it, and is less than 10 miles from the Sussex town of Chichester. It’s mainly a shingle beach that gets gradually sandier as you move down towards the water’s edge. A large area of wet sand is exposed by the falling tide but disappears once the tide comes back in.
This West Sussex beach has gorgeous views of Nab Tower lighthouse, the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth and across the English Channel to the Isle of Wight. It’s a popular site for fossil hunting and bird watching, and you may even be able to spot seals here.
Bracklesham Bay Beach is an excellent location for windsurfing, kitesurfing and Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP), with a watersports school and shop selling equipment. It’s also a popular scuba diving location, and if you go diving at Bracklesham Bay, you may be able to spot the remains of a tank used in preparations for D-Day in 1944.
Basic facilities including a restaurant are available on the beachfront, with a wider range of shops and restaurants in the village centre.
Postcode: PO20 8JS
Lifeguards: No lifeguard service.
Parking: Car parking is available, including disabled parking.
Dog Friendly: From 1st May until 30th September, dogs must be kept on a lead between the two groynes on either side of Billy’s on the Beach. No restrictions otherwise.
Toilets: Public toilets available by the beach.
Cafe: Billy’s on the Beach restaurant on the beachfront, plus further options in Bracklesham Bay village.
East Wittering Beach
A wide, sloping shingle beach, wooden groynes and sand flats exposed at low tide make East Wittering typical of many West Sussex beaches. It’s the sort of beach that’s the perfect place for a family day out filled with ball games and sandcastle building.
East Wittering Beach lies around two miles from West Wittering Beach, near the mouth of Chichester Harbour, and is a little quieter than its bigger neighbour. Things tend to pick up at the height of summer, but this wide expanse of beach never feels crowded.
East Wittering is a family-friendly beach which is also popular with paddle boarders and surfers. All are well-accommodated with a number of surf shops nearby. And the gentle sloping and lack of rocks and rips make this West Sussex beach ideal for beginner surfers or anyone who isn’t very confident on a board.
There are a few good spots to eat in the nearby village, and this beach generally has a laid-back vibe that’s very appealing!
Postcode: PO20 8QR
Lifeguards: No lifeguard service.
Parking: A small car park available by the beach plus more in town.
Dog Friendly: Dogs are allowed on the beach all year but are banned from certain areas between the end of May and September.
Toilets: Public toilets are available about 10 minutes from the beach on foot.
Cafe: Various pubs and cafes to choose from in East Wittering.
West Wittering Beach
Just down the coast from East Wittering, you’ll find its twin village of West Wittering, which has a long stretch of golden sandy beach dotted with colourful beach huts. This is one of the most popular beaches of West Sussex, thanks to its wide sands and warm, shallow waters that are perfect for young children to play in. It’s our choice of the best sandy beaches in West Sussex.
This West Sussex beach is also a popular spot for kayaking, paddleboarding, surfing and other watersports, and you can book lessons with a local watersports school. Kitesurfing is restricted to local club members throughout the year, and windsurfing is limited to club members between March and October. Showers are available on the beach, along with a cafe selling delicious refreshments.
The Witterings has plenty to explore, from the dunes at East Head to the high street at East Wittering village. There are pristine beaches and excellent water sports facilities on nearby Hayling Island. It’s been a popular seaside resort since the 1930s for good reason. Or simply enjoy a picnic and the breathtaking views of the South Downs National Park as the sun sets.
If you’re planning to visit West Wittering Beach in summer, or a sunny Spring weekend, it’s best to pre-book car parking before you travel.
Postcode: PO20 8AU
Facilities
Lifeguards: Lifeguard service available.
Parking: 5000 pay car parking spaces available, including disabled parking. Pre-book at https://www.westwitteringestate.co.uk/
Dog Friendly: Dogs are allowed here but dog-free zones are in place between May and September.
Toilets: Toilets and shower facilities available at the beach.
Cafe: Beach cafe and restaurant on West Wittering Beach, plus more options down the coast in East Wittering.
So that’s our pick of the best beaches in West Sussex. Did we miss out your favourite? Which West Sussex beach would you add to the list?
