A version of this article originally appeared in Condé Nast Traveller UK.
When I was a child in England, growing up by the sea meant everything. In fact, there was very little that the salt air and a bag of vinegary chips couldn’t fix. I still have vivid memories of the beachside picnics my mother would make for us during the summer holidays, and stopping by to see my grandparents (who were always set up on the exact same bench at the end of the promenade) for some “ice cream money.” My grandfather always snuck an extra few pounds into my fist with the wink of an eye.
Then there were the extra special days, when the whole family would pack up the car with windbreakers, sandwiches, and sunscreen, and we’d head along the coast to West Wittering, a beautiful sandy beach in West Sussex that could rival Cape Cod, The Hamptons, or pretty much any New England coastal spot in the US. (I should know. I’ve visited them.)
Jutting out over the Manhood Peninsula, right at the mouth of Chichester Harbour, the golden expanse of West Wittering stretches for about half a mile and makes for the perfect weekend escape or day trip from London. But it’s not just for sun-seekers and bathers. West Wittering beach is a renowned bird-watching destination. Just along the way, at East Head, the sand dunes are home to a wide range of wildlife and vegetation. If you’re lucky, you may spot dark-bellied brent geese, who have come all the way from Arctic Siberia, or hear the distinctive calls of curlews, redshanks, and oystercatchers. At any rate, you’ll surely see a large flock of sanderlings: small, white, fluffy wading birds with grayish, downy feathers and a black bill.
What’s more, this dog-friendly beach is also a hub for surfers and watersports fanatics. Owing to its location, West Wittering can get some pretty impressive waves and offshore winds, though visitors should be mindful to stay within the marked zones. For this reason, the view of the Solent from the shoreline is not just made up of the neighboring Isle of Wight, it’s often peppered with kite-surfers, wind-surfers, paddle-boarders, and the like. In addition to all the activities, families and visitors can also tuck into a BBQ on the beach—providing that what they’re using is a portable or reusable grill and not a disposable one. There are also camping facilities nearby; that means if you are traveling from further afield, you can pitch up for an entire weekend.
