48 Hours in The Witterings
Beach life in West Sussex
If West Wittering is the worst kept secret in West Sussex, then its near neighbour East Wittering, with its perfectly sized village, is almost catching up on the action. Whilst West Wittering’s sandy beaches and expansive coastline make it attractive for local day trippers, East Wittering has a loyal following of holiday makers who return year after year. Though it might take a while to arrive at your destination during the busy summer months (due to the notoriously busy Birdham Straight being the only way in and out) once you’re local you can park the car and walk or cycle around the area quite easily.
You’re never too far from the beach when you wake up in the Witterings so you will want to get in a good breakfast for a day out by the sea. The village in East Wittering is the place to go with options for everyone. Locals love the pancakes at Drift Inn Surf Café or you can grab a coffee and freshly baked croissant at Knead Bakery.
Next, you’ll want to spend a bit of time wandering through the village visiting some of the independent shops in the arcade. You can find just about anything you’re looking for locally. If you have kids, stop by Salty Dog Emporium to pick up your beach toys and then head over to Candies Sweet Shop to stock up for the day. For some colourful clothing or gift ideas, Waves is the place to go or the wonderful Artisan Shoppe which is part shop, part art gallery, hosting a range of local artists and artisans. Finally, head down to Shore Road to hit up Shore Things music shop to stock up on hard-to-find vinyls before hitting Shore surf shop, your one stop for everything you’ll need for your beach stay and beyond.
For lunch, head to Bracklesham Bay and Billy's on the Beach from some moules frites or fish tacos. Grab a take-away coffee or hot chocolate from Goat Coffee Co. and sit on the beach watching the windsurfers riding the waves.
Image: Carolyn Cobbold
Now that you’ve stocked up, you’ll want to head down to the beautiful beach. East Wittering and Bracklesham Bay are great for water sports but to take in the full beauty of the area, it’s best to head west towards the welcoming sands of West Wittering beach. After stopping for a dip at West Wittering beach, head all the way out to explore the gorgeous dog-friendly sand dunes at East Head. Stop at the beach front Ice Cream Parlour along the way to indulge in one of their many flavours including dairy-free options and even doggy ice cream and don’t forget to check out what’s the catch of the day at The Fisherman’s Hut.
Finally head back to The Beach Café for tea and cake before watching the sunset on the beach.
Top Tip: West Wittering carpark now needs to be reserved in advance. It sells out on most summer days so plan ahead to avoid disappointment. See how busy the beach is via this webcam.
Bring your appetite for your evening meal at The Lamb Inn in West Wittering, just remember to book in advance as this firm favourite gets very busy all year round or if you’re feeling tired after your full day out there’s great Italian and pizza delivery from both Rosario’s and Pecorino or if you fancy a gourmet burger, Hammett’s Kitchen in East Wittering is your spot. If you’ve still got a bit of energy to burn, first head over to The Shore Inn for a quick tipple before grabbing a table at Drifter’s with its great cocktails and inventive menu.
The sea air will have given you a great night’s sleep so you'll feel refreshed for your second day by the sea. Get a good breakfast in at The Boulevard known for its generous portions and varied menu options. If you need an extra jolt before taking on the day, the newly refurbished Ground café has coffee to go and it’s hard not to get distracted by their cakes and pastries too.
It’s time to dive into the day, quite literally, by taking advantage of the area’s biggest attraction, the sea itself. Both East and West Wittering are family friendly beaches but if you’re keen to get on the water, 2XS in West Wittering is your destination for SUP and Surfing lessons and board hire. A two-hour family surf lesson is just £45/person or you can book a 60-minute private one-to-one surf session for just £75.
If you’re feeling a little peckish after your lesson, The Landing in West Wittering has great sandwiches and cakes and top notch coffee to get you back on track. While you’re in the area, swing by The Little Art Gallery. They’re open at the weekends and weekdays on request so drop them a line if you’re planning to visit in the week.
With just a few hours left in your whirlwind visit, it’s to head for something special – a horse ride along the beach with Deborah Basley Horse Riding. Situated just 100metres from the beach, Deborah offers private and family sessions but booking in advance is absolutely essential.
Image: Steve Tattersall
There's time for one last great meal before you go and The Wittering pub is the place to go. A varied menu of locally sourced food, over the summer months their outside Coastal Cabin serves hand-stretched pizzas and house nachos and on Sundays look out for their BBQs and live music.
Crabbing at Snowhill Creek
Grab your buckets to head over to the Crabbing Pool at Snowhill Creek – don’t forget your crabbing net and save some bacon from your breakfast for the best bait.
Image: @westsussexwanderer
Enjoy peace, quiet and wildlife on a boat trip around Chichester Harbour. You may see one of the resident grey or common seals or a catch a glimpse of a passing osprey but without doubt you'll enjoy a colourful display of the many yachts and racing dinghies in the area.
Image: Chichester Harbour Conservancy
Want to do your bit?
Shore offers free beach cleaning kit to anyone on request. Over the years they’ve organised over 1,000 litter picks and removed 10 tonnes of material from the beach.
Bracklesham Blue Tits
This inclusive community group swims in Bracklesham Bay at around 7am most mornings throughout the year.
Great places to stay in The Witterings: Stubcroft Farm, Wellies & Windbreaks, The Wittering, Scotts Farm Camping
Great places to eat in The Witterings: Drift-Inn Surf Café, Knead Bakery, The Lamb Inn, Rosario's, Pecorino, Hammett's Kitchen, The Shore Inn, Drifter's, The Boulelvard, Ground, The Landing, The Wittering, Billy's on the Beach, Goat Coffee Co.
Great places to shop in The Witterings: Salty Dog Emporium, Candies Sweet Shop, Waves, Artisan Shoppe, Shore, 2XS, Little Art Gallery
By car: from Chichester the A286 and B2179 (8 miles, 13 km)
Parking for West Wittering Beach & East Head: West Wittering Beach offers two parking sessions: all day and evening. There is no hourly rate.
Parking in East Wittering: Parking is available at Marine Drive (postcode PO20 8HE) and Northern Crescent (postcode PO20 8BD). Car park charges apply year-round.
By train: the nearest train station is Chichester on the Southern Railway line; trains can be taken from London Victoria or London Bridge (one change). Both services run via Gatwick Airport.
By bus: Stagecoach buses 52 and 53 run from Chichester Railway station to The Witterings every 15 minutes. The 53 bus also stops in East Wittering and Bracklesham Bay. You can plan your trip on the Stagecoach bus app or website, which also includes ticket prices.
Distances to The Witterings
London: 94 miles (151km)
Portsmouth International Port: 27 miles (43km)
Gatwick: 55 miles (89km)
Port of Dover: 132.3 miles (212km)
