The peaceful seaside town 1 hour from Surrey overshadowed by West Wittering beach

Surrey Live

by Laura Nightingale

Published 7th June 2023

It's located on the same coastline but you can expect fewer tourists

Photograph of the back of a man sat in a beach chair, next to a sandcastle with a discarded pink bucket

When the sun comes out, many of us like to head to the beach for some seaside fun. Surrey doesn't have any beaches of its own, however there are many easily accessible by car.

One popular hotspot is West Wittering along the south coast in West Sussex. Thousands of families flock there every year to enjoy the natural and unspoilt sandy beach, as well as the wonderful views of Chichester Harbour and the South Downs beyond.

Complete with a café and toilet block, the car park to the Blue Flag beach gets packed during the summer months and if you don't arrive early or pre-book your ticket, you won't be able to secure a space.

However, just along the coast, and perhaps overshadowed by the famous West Wittering village, is another seaside neighbourhood perfect for a bucket and spade holiday.

Selsey Bill at sunrise with the reds, oranges and blues of the sky and rolling waves.

Known for its crabs and lobsters and for its varied bird life, the long stretch of shingle stretches up the east side of the headland towards Pagham Harbour Reserve, and visitors will see Selsey-Bill promenade too.

More than one mile long, there are toilets, places to eat and a car park, and it is home to Seal Bay holiday resort, ideal for a traditional British camping trip or self-catering getaway. There are caravans, luxury lodges and beach pads available to rent.

Selsey has a number of beaches including East Beach, The Bill and West Beach. They are ideal for water sports such as windsurfing, sailing and paddleboarding, and if you are lucky you may spot a seal or two bobbing away in the sea. Beyond Oval Field is perhaps considered its secret beach. It does not have any facilities, however it is sandy.

According to property website Rightmove, homes in Selsey had an overall average price of £400,612 over the last year. This compares to a whopping £875,377 in West Wittering, just along the coast.

Read the article on Surrey Live here.