West Wittering Beach

The nearest sandy beach to Fishbourne

West Wittering beach is the nearest proper sandy beach to Fishbourne, located about eight miles to the south-west at the entrance to Chichester Harbour. The beach is managed by the West Wittering Estate and is one of the best beaches in southern England, with clean sand, shallow water, and views across the harbour entrance to Hayling Island.

The beach is popular with families, swimmers, windsurfers, and kitesurfers. East Head, the sand spit at the harbour entrance, is a National Trust nature reserve and provides a wilder, less crowded alternative to the main beach. The sand dunes and saltmarsh at East Head support a range of coastal wildlife.

The drive from Fishbourne takes about twenty minutes via the B2179 through Birdham and East Wittering. The beach car park is large but fills early on fine summer weekends, and the approach road can be congested at peak times. Arriving before ten on a summer Saturday is advisable.

Parking charges apply, and the beach has basic facilities including toilets and a seasonal cafe. Dogs are allowed on parts of the beach outside the peak summer months, with restrictions applying from May to September.

For Fishbourne residents, West Wittering is the default beach destination. The combination of clean sand, safe swimming, and the beautiful East Head setting makes it worth the drive, and the proximity of the beach to the village is one of the lifestyle advantages of living in the area.