West Wittering: Beach, Nature and Heritage

For planning your trip, you can consider the beach, nature and local history of West Wittering as distinct areas of interest. Water sports are supervised at West Wittering Beach; the nearby area of East Head includes a variety of habitats, while the church, Cakeham Manor and Elmstead each have their own historical associations. You can decide which of these aspects to prioritise during your stay based on your interests.

Beach, Water and Landscape

Since 1991, 2XS has supervised the safe practice of water sports at West Wittering Beach. Another connection with the water is the West Wittering Sailing Club, which sails from Snowhill Creek. The creek lies beyond East Head at the entrance to Chichester Harbour. Water sports on the beach and sailing from the creek are therefore two distinct, clearly identified coastal activities.

In the area near West Wittering, East Head has a variety of habitats: shingle beach, sandy beach, dunes and salt marsh. East Head is also a dynamic dune area and is recognised as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It provides an important habitat for rare wildlife and rare vegetation. The landscape cannot therefore be described solely in terms of sand and dunes; shingle beach and salt marsh are also among the habitat types mentioned.

Accessible toilets are located at the entrance to the West Wittering Beach car park, at the Beach Café and near East Head. Check the latest information before your visit, as facilities may change.

Local History and the Heritage of Sir Henry Royce

The church of St Peter and St Paul in West Wittering is mentioned in the earliest records as far back as around 740. Another historic site is Cakeham Manor in West Wittering, a Grade II* listed building. These two examples represent different types of heritage: the early mention of a church and the listed status of a building.

Elmstead in West Wittering was home to Sir Henry Royce, co-founder of Rolls-Royce, from 1917 to 1933. Royce died on 22 April 1933. Every year on 22 April, the local section of the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts' Club holds a special ceremony at Elmstead to mark the anniversary of his death. The annual memorial walk runs from West Wittering Memorial Hall to Elmstead and traces the daily route between Royce’s home and his design studio. If these dates are important to your trip, check the next event dates and arrangements in advance.

Cycling to West Wittering

The Salterns Way runs from Chichester to the sandy beach at West Wittering. The one-way cycle route is 19 km long and almost flat. Two specific details are useful for planning: the route length and its almost flat profile. Plan your ride according to your own travel plans.

If you are looking for a hotel in West Wittering, you can start by deciding on the purpose of your trip and your preferred dates. If you want your stay to coincide with one of the Royce memorial events, check when the next one will take place before booking.

Discover more destinations: Storrington, Barnham, Bolney, Worthing, Southwick, East Wittering, Ford, Selsey

For the broader travel overview: West Sussex.