West Wittering: Beach, Dunes and History

West Wittering combines coastal scenery with a surprising amount of history. At West Wittering Beach, water sports and the beach take centre stage, while East Head offers a different perspective on the surroundings with its dunes, varied habitats and rare wildlife. There are also historic sites in West Wittering and the legacy of Sir Henry Royce. So if you are looking for a holiday apartment, you can first consider whether your trip will focus more on days at the beach, nature watching, culture or a cycling tour.

Beach, water sports and views of Chichester Harbour

Since 1991, 2XS has supervised the safe practice of water sports at West Wittering Beach. The beach is therefore an important destination for anyone who wants to spend their time by the water actively. West Wittering Sailing Club is also part of the village’s maritime character. It sails from Snowhill Creek, which lies behind East Head at the entrance to Chichester Harbour.

For getting around the area, accessible toilets are also listed at the entrance to the West Wittering Beach car park, at the Beach Café and near East Head. Such specific facilities can play a role in planning your day, particularly if you want to move between time at the beach, nature and further exploration. You can therefore choose suitable accommodation according to the focus you want for your trip, without every holiday having to follow the same pattern.

East Head: Dunes and varied habitats

In the vicinity of West Wittering, East Head features several habitats: shingle beach, sandy beach, dunes and salt marsh. The area is a dynamic dune system and is recognised as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, or SSSI. East Head also provides an important habitat for rare wildlife and rare vegetation.

This change in landscape makes West Wittering interesting for travellers who do not see the coast solely as a place for swimming. Depending on your interests, you can focus on the beach, the dunes or the different natural habitats. For families, this provides various opportunities for conversation and observation without requiring a fixed excursion programme. A holiday apartment in West Wittering is particularly suitable for your plans if you are looking for a holiday destination where maritime impressions and nature-related interests can be combined.

Historical traces in the village

Cakeham Manor in West Wittering is a Grade II* listed building. St Peter and St Paul Church is also part of the village’s long history: it is already mentioned in the earliest records, dating to around 740. Both names give West Wittering a historical dimension that complements its coastal character. Anyone who would like to discover older buildings and local history alongside the beach and landscape can include these themes in their travel plans.

A special connection to industrial history comes through Elmstead in West Wittering. Sir Henry Royce, co-founder of Rolls-Royce, lived there from 1917 to 1933. Every year on 22 April, the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts' Club organises a commemorative walk from West Wittering Memorial Hall to Elmstead. It follows Sir Henry Royce's daily route between his home and his design studio. On the same date in Elmstead, the local branch of the club also holds a special ceremony marking the anniversary of his death on 22 April 1933.

West Wittering as a starting point for varied days out

Cyclists will also find a clearly described connection to the surrounding area: the Salterns Way is an almost level, 19 km-long easy cycle route from Chichester to the sandy beach at West Wittering. The route therefore appeals to a different holiday idea than water sports or historical exploration. When choosing your accommodation, it may be helpful to decide first on the mix of coast, nature, culture and cycling you want. This allows you to search more specifically for a holiday apartment or holiday house without limiting your trip to just one activity.

For more places to include in your travel plans, you can find Birdham, Ansty, Findon, Crawley, Lurgashall, Amberley, Coldwaltham and Merston here.

For the overarching travel overview: West Sussex.