As the May Bank Holiday approaches, many of us are looking for a great place to spend the long weekend. West Wittering Beach, located on the southern coast of England, is the perfect spot. With its golden sands, clear waters and beautiful views, it’s a wonderful place to relax and enjoy nature.
Here’s why West Wittering Beach should be your top choice for the May Bank Holiday.
West Wittering Beach is known for its natural beauty. It’s part of the Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and has also just been awarded the prestigious blue flag status again, making it one of the cleanest and best maintained beaches in the country. West Wittering beach itself stretches for over two miles but you can walk all the way down through East Wittering to Bracklesham Bay which is just over six miles of beautiful beach, giving plenty of space to relax, walk, or enjoy activities. It’s an amazing place for families, couples, and solo travellers alike.
1. Relax on the Sand
West Wittering Beach has plenty of space to relax. The golden sands are perfect for laying out a towel or having a picnic. The beach is so big that it never feels really crowded. Even on busy days you just need to head a little further east from the car park and you will find large stretches or almost empty beach, or head up to East Head for some more space to play beach cricket and explore the dunes. Families can enjoy playing games, building sandcastles, or just relaxing. The shallow waters are great for kids to splash around safely. Also, what better way to unwind than to relax on the beach, getting away from the busy lifestyle back home.
2. Take a Scenic Walk
If you want to be more active, take a walk along the beach or the nearby coastal paths. West Wittering beach has some of the best views along the coast. The West Wittering Beach Circular Walk is a popular route. It’s about 3.4 miles long and takes you along the beach and through the East Head sand dunes. It’s an easy walk and perfect for families. You can also explore the East Head nature reserve, where you’ll see sand dunes and lots of birds.
3. Visit East Head Nature Reserve
The East Head Nature Reserve is close to West Wittering Beach and is a must-visit. It’s a peaceful place to explore. You can see a range of wildlife, including birds and seals. There are beautiful sand dunes, salt marshes, and beach areas to enjoy. The reserve is a calm retreat and a great place for nature lovers.
4. Try Watersports
West Wittering Beach is also great for watersports. You can try surfing, windsurfing, kite surfing or paddle boarding. There are also options for sailing in Chichester Harbour. The shallow waters make it a good spot for both beginners and experienced watersports enthusiasts. On a calm day it is a great place for beginners but when the wind is high and the surf is up, it is amazing to watch the experienced windsurfers, kite surfers and surfers as they tackle the waves at high speed. There are local shops such as Shore Watersports in East Wittering where you can rent equipment and 2XS on West Wittering beach is a great place to book some lessons if you’re new to these activities and want to get a little confidence. Watersports are a great way to unwind and have a little excitement whilst away on your long bank holiday.
5. Have a Picnic or Barbecue
If you love picnics, West Wittering Beach is a great spot. You can set up a picnic on the sand or in the grassy areas nearby. Some visitors bring portable barbecues to enjoy a meal outdoors. Please note that disposable BBQs are not permitted anywhere on the West Wittering beach estate or East Head but you can use them on the pebble beach down in East Wittering and Bracklesham Bay.
There is an amazing range of independent local shops in East Wittering where you can buy fresh food for your BBQ and picnic. Don’t miss Knead for bread and cakes, quite literally the best bakery for miles and miles around. Horrocks and Munneries are fabulous for fresh vegetables and you can get amazing fresh fish from Something Fishy or Bob in his Fisherman’s Hut on the beach. Finally and most importantly, for great meat go to AS Wallace. Oh and let’s not forget some sweets for the little ones (and big kids) from Candies traditional sweet shop.
There is something about being British, when the sun comes out we all want a BBQ on the beach, are we right?
After spending the day at the beach, you’ll want to refuel. West Wittering has a range of places to eat, from casual cafés to traditional pubs. We have gone ahead and listed some of our personal favourites below for you to check out:
The Beach Café (formerly known as Billys on the Beach) is right by the beach in Bracklesham Bay, hence the name and offers a variety of meals, including fresh seafood and classic British dishes. You can enjoy your meal while gazing out to sea.
Drifters in East Wittering village is another great choice. This casual diner serves great food in a buzzy atmosphere and has a great outdoor area to enjoy a refreshing beer or cocktail after a day on the beach.
Another Wellies & Windbreaks favourite is The Boulevard. In our opinion they do the best fish and chips in the area and a fabulous English breakfast too.
Finally, a trip to Wittering isn’t complete without pancakes at The Drift Inn surf cafe.
The Witterings is such a popular holiday spot that there are lots of great places to stay. You can choose from cosy cottages, seaside homes or modern apartments. Here at Wellies & Windbreaks we offer many options, so you can enjoy a comfortable stay in this beautiful area. Whether you are looking for your family, as a couple or a solo traveller. Take a look today to enjoy the beautiful sunshine and coastline.
Whilst most houses are booked up for the bank holiday we do have a few still left for stays over the weekend and half term break. Take a look at the following and do get in touch with Wellies & Windbreaks for more details.
Samphire is a stunning beachfront home for 6 guests in 3 bedrooms. Upside down living at its best, the views from the dining table and balcony are spectacular.
Pebbles in Bracklesham is a wonderful family holiday home right on the beachfront and with an amazing outdoor beach deck that leads right to the pebbles. Sleeping 8 guests in 4 bedrooms it is perfect for a family group.
Seascape is a spectacular beachfront apartment sleeping 6 in 3 bedrooms, also in the popular area of Bracklesham Bay.
Sunny Days is a modern family bungalow sleeping 6 in 3 bedrooms, just moments from the beach in Bracklesham Bay. Pets can come too so it is great for the whole family.
Finally, if you are just a couple looking for a quiet break away Stargazer is something very special. You have the whole house to yourself…and it is stunning. The owners just make one bedroom available to guests but the whole house is yours to enjoy…and did we mention, its right on the beach front in East Wittering with stunning sea views.
