Selsey West Beach (West Sussex)
- Information
Selsey West beach is on a long stretch of coast linking Selsey with Bracklesham, the beach is mainly pebbles and at high tide, all you get is a steep pebble bank, although as the tide goes out you get some hard compact sand.
The main car park is by Marine Car park, Hillfield Rd, and here you also have a small beach kiosk. This section of beach is a little narrow and has wooden groynes that can give some welcome break from the wind that can hit Selsey Bill, the southern point of the Manhood Peninsula.
As you head away from Selsey the beach gets wider and you have a large caravan park sitting behind and if you are energetic you can travel down to Bracklesham Bay.
It is often worth considering the wind direction when looking at Selsey beaches, then heading to either the East or West beach as they can offer very different conditions on the same day.
Selsey West Beach is dog friendly and allows dogs all year.
Why not check other beaches nearby as we have no beaches around Chichester, 27 beaches in West Sussex, or check our list of West Sussex Dog Friendly Beaches.
- Beach Water Quality
No water quality measurement available for Selsey West Beach.
- Tides
- 7 Day Weather Forecast
Our weather forecast for Chichester in West Sussex is split into two widgets. The first shows a timeline containing temperature, wind, sunrise/sunset and chance of rain, whilst the second shows the forecast for the week ahead including severe weather alerts when available.
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In this 'you may also like' section we attempt to answer what else can I do? Here you have a list by order of being the closest some more beaches, things to see and do, places to eat and upcoming events.
- 4th July 2019-7th July 2019The Goodwood Festival of Speed is located in the beautiful parkland surrounding Goodwood House, near Chichester in West Sussex. The Festival of Speed is motorsport’s weekend summer garden party, more than just the famous hill climb this is a celebration of world motorsport.
- The Lifeboat Inn in Selsey is a great pub by Selsey East Beach. The pub has it’s very own fishing boat and offers some of the best locally caught fish in the area. The pub offers a traditional local pub atmosphere with a good sized beer garden for those lazy summer days and evenings.
- Selsey Lifeboat station was established in the 1830s and today operates inshore and offshore lifeboats. The offshore boat is launched down a ramp from the boat house at the end of the pier. Station is accessed along a long walkway and shop is landside along with the inshore boat.
- The East Beach at Selsey in West Sussex is a pebble beach on either side of the RNLI lifeboat station. Selsey is situated on a peninsula jutting out into the English Channel about eight miles south of Chichester. A small town that retains its history, the unique Selsey community spirit and the Selsey fishing fleet. Fresh fish and crabs are for sale caught by the local fishing boats pulled up on the beach. There are many things to do including walks along the seawall, cycle routes, Selsey lifeboat station and museum, windsurfing and a diving and snorkelling centre. Facilities at the beach include free parking on the road, pub, toilets, RNLI shop and children’s play area whilst Selsey is a moderate walk away and has a wider range of restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs.
- Selsey Beach is a sand and shingle beach close to Pagham Harbour. The beach is part of Selsey Bill which is a headland stretching about three miles out into the ocean with the beach being on both sides. The most popular beach is the groyne ribbed one which has a wall at the back and is more sheltered. There are good facilities and the beaches here are popular for surfers and those who want to swim and sunbathe. Facilities include parking, no lifeguards, cafe, and toilets. There is a nature walk here where you will see many birds, plants and insects and end up at the Harbour with all the sailing boats. Selsey side of Pagham Harbour is excellent for birdwatching.
- Bracklesham Bay Beach is sandy and has a gently shelving shore making it perfect for swimming, sailing, fishing, surfing and diving or just paddling! Water sport enthusiasts love this area of the West Sussex coast as it is the perfect spot for wind surfing and kite surfing too! This beech has amazing views south west across the Solent to the Isle of Wight on a clear day. It is a great beach for fossil hunters and an important stop for migrating birds. The beach has clean water and the local village of East Wittering offers facilities like shops, restaurants and entertainment. Accommodation is easy to find as there are a few caravan sites and camping areas. Facilities include: restaurant/cafe, toilets, boating/canoeing/jet skiing/diving, parking excellent.
- East Wittering beach is a shingle shoreline at high tide but sandy at low tide! The best of both worlds really. It is a quiet spot of coast but the sailors love it as the ocean here varies from flat to down the line wave riding if the wind is right. The beach is wide here so it feels emptier than it is. Shelving gently, this south coast beach has extensive shallows for the kids to paddle in at low tide and the village of East Wittering is within walking distance with shops and other facilities. There is a good selection of accommodation here with campsites and bed and breakfasts to choose from. Facilities include toilets, parking and a walk along the beach to nearby West Wittering.
- West Wittering beach overlooks the Solent and Chichester Harbour and has the South Downs as a beautiful backdrop. This is an excellent family destination with a sandy beach and large grassy area for parking and sunbathing. There are tidal pools which are ideal for children to explore and go crabbing in. Although it is mostly a sandy beach there are patches of shingle and some sand dunes. Back in the 1950s this area of beach and grassland was purchased by locals to protect it from developers. At low tide the ocean runs out giving you about a quarter of a mile of sand backed by some amazing dunes and grassland. This beach is popular with windsurfers and kite surfers, while shallow lagoons are left on extensive sandy flats at low tide. The whole area is internationally recognised for its wildlife, birds and unique beauty. Facilities include toilets, cafe, restaurant, beach huts, deckchair hire, surfboard hire, pay parking and lifeguards in summer months.
- From March to October, windsurfing from the beach is restricted to members of the West Wittering Windsurf Club (WWWC) only. Kitesurfing is restricted to WWWC members throughout the year.
- The season runs from mid-September to the end of April only. All pilots must be members of West Wittering Buggy Club.
- The South Downs Planetarium & Science Centre is located in Chichester in West Sussex. It is run by volunteers and is a great educational aid for local residents and visitors alike. Along with a 100-seat planetarium where there are frequent presentations open to the public, you can also find a meteorite display, a learning centre and other activities for children. The planetarium is open throughout the year.
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