West Sussex Coast Tourist Information

Worthing Attractions

The largest of the West Sussex Coast seaside towns, Worthing retains much of its elegant seaside heritage architecture including the spectacular seafront Baroque Edwardian Worthing Pavilion and the old Edwardian Kursaal leisure centre now the magnificent Worthing Dome Cinema. Oscar Wilde visited the town in the late 1800s and whilst here wrote 'The Importance of Being Earnest'. For theatre Worthing won't disappoint with its choice of venues including the art deco fronted Connaught Theatre, the seafront Worthing Pavilion with its unique ornate stage and the excellent sound quality at the Assembly Hall where you'll often find the Worthing Symphony Orchestra performing.

A particularly special feature of this seaside town is its stunning selection of ornamental gardens both along the Promenade and west of the Pier at Marine Gardens and at Denton Gardens and Beach House Park east of the pier. Both Marine Gardens and Beach House Park boast extensive outdoor bowls facilities as well as tennis and on-site cafes.

Worthing is a distinctly leisurely West Sussex seaside resort and families will find plenty of entertainment along the seafront at family attraction hotspots which include Worthing Pier and Amusements at Worthing Lido.

Move east of the pier for Worthing's huge swimming and leisure complex, the Worthing Aquarena which also has an adjacent outdoor paddling pool which is a very popular attraction with children during the summer months. Peter Pans Playground is also situated near the Aquarena, and east towards Lancing is more family fun at Brooklands Pleasure Park.

Littlehampton Holidays

Littlehampton is a West Sussex seaside resort with two strings to its bow - its beautiful harbour around the River Arun as it enters the sea and its award winning beach and seafront crammed with a host of family holiday attractions. Overlooking the Harbour sits the new Look & Sea! Visitor and Heritage Centre, home to the tourist information centre, a delightful cafe with alfresco harbour views and a heritage exhibition focusing on Littlehampton's historic links with the sea. Climb to the top of the Centre's viewing tower for spectacular views of Littlehampton harbour and the sea beyond.

The town is a favourite West Sussex hotspot for watersports including sailing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and yachting. An extensive marina is here alongside sailing and fishing clubs and on the western side of the Arun sits Littlehampton's golf links course, the oldest golf club in West Sussex. For a thorough journey into Littlehampton's history, including its Roman and maritime links, take time to visit the newly revamped Littlehampton Museum situated in a historic 18th century manor house in the town centre. Visit Littlehampton in late October for the award winning Seafront Bonfire Event involving a Torchlight Procession, a huge seafront bonfire and fireworks.

For family holidays at the seaside both Littlehampton and Bognor Regis are hard to beat. Littlehampton's many attractions are clustered together around the beachfront and harbour and are all within easy walking distance of each other. Families can expect a warm welcome here with attraction choice including net fishing along Arun Parade alongside the river, funfair rides and amusements at Harbour Park on the seafront and Littlehampton's Coastguards Beach is a Blue Flag Award Winner with flat level easy access.

The list of Littlehampton's family attractions continues with a miniature railway and a seafront road train, boating lakes in local parks and at Oyster Pond, a fully equipped seafront indoor sports centre, plenty of seafront crazy golf and pitch and putt, watersports galore including windsurfing and kitesurfing and a character Pier at the point where the River Arun enters the sea. Plenty then to guarantee a family fun seaside holiday in this friendly and all inclusive family holiday resort.

Bognor Regis Breaks

Officially the sunniest spot in Britain as verified by the Met Office, Bognor Regis has all the ingredients for a funpacked and budget family seaside holiday. The warm climate combined with a Blue Flag Award Winning Beach fronted by children's rides and ice cream sellers and Butlins Bognor open for Day visits and crammed with family attractions and amusements all go to make Bognor a top seaside resort for families.

Bognor's friendly pier offers more amusements and rides and this stretch of the West Sussex Coast is a hotspot for sailing with both Bognor Yacht Club and Felpham Sailing Club based along the seafront. Two leisure centres are in the town with golf available at the slightly inland Bognor Golf Club. Nightlife bustles here with a choice of family restaurants, pubs and bars and also a good sprinkling of nightclubs. The University of Chichester has a Bognor Campus here, so the town has a student vibe during semesters and a strong arts scene is here in Bognor, particularly in film with the splendid historic Picturedrome Cinema, part of the Regis Centre, and the annual acclaimed End of Pier Film Festival.

The real character and friendly welcome to all in Bognor is evident in events like the International Bognor Birdman annually in early July. Human Powered flying machines compete and see who can fly the furthest jumping off the seaward end of Bognor Pier to raise money for charity, with everyone getting involved and dressing up bird style. Competitors come from far and wide and the event has made Bognor and the Pier famous! The 2.5 mile long promenade and beach are flat level with easy access, another bonus for families and visitors with mobility difficulties.

Chichester City Centre

The city of Chichester was one of the earliest centres constructed by the Romans and numerous evidence in both the city and surrounding area serves as a reminder of this heritage. Some of Chichester's Roman Walls still surround the city and Fishbourne Roman Palace on the city's outskirts is the finest Roman domestic building to be unearthed in Britain, with over 20 fine examples of Roman mosaic floors.

Chichester has thrived through many historic periods. Chichester Cathedral dates from the Norman period whilst the central Tudor Cross Meeting point marks the spot where Chichester's medieval market was once held. Chichester is a contemporary international centre for the arts boasting the acclaimed Chichester Festival Theatre and Minerva Theatre plus the outstanding Pallant House Art Gallery, a hotspot in the South for modern 20th century art. The popular stunning surfing beaches of East and West Wittering are just a short drive from the city as is seaside favourite pretty Selsey and the nature reserve at Pagham Harbour. Two of Britain's best known Racecourses are also within easy reach of Chichester - Goodwood and Fontwell, as are historic sites Petworth House and Uppark, Bignor Roman Villa and the Weald & Downland Museum at Singleton.

The Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural beauty is one of Britain's most beautiful harbours. Situated a short drive, walk, cycle or narrowboat ride south west of Chichester city centre, Chichester Harbour is a haven not only for wildlife including waders and migratory birds but also for watersports including sailing and yachting, windsurufing, kitesurfing, surfing and boat trips. Pretty harbour villages abound, each with their own distinct character like historic Bosham with its delightful choice of tearooms and arts and crafts and West Wittering with its Blue Flag family beach and choice of watersports.

The Goodwood Estate situated to the North East of Chichester with the backdrop of the South Downs is a veritable feast of Sporting facilities all situated around a historic estate and the wonderfully unique Goodwood House. Goodwood's jewel is its historic racecourse, one of the most beautiful racecourses in Britain and home to the best of European racing and racing socials - the July Glorious Goodwood meet is one of the most popular racing meets on the UK racing calendar and Goodwood continues evolving offering more race days by the year. The Weald & Downland Open Air Museum at Singleton really is a journey through the history of the South's Weald and Downs rural Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Selsey Holidays

Selsey sits just 8 miles south of Chichester and is a delightfully friendly and popular family seaside resort. The Peninsula area pushing south of Chichester to the tip of Selsey Bill is officially called the Manhood Peninsula - the name is thought to be of Saxon origin. The terrain is very flat with most of the peninsula not more than 20 feet above sea-level. The Selsey Community spirit is particularly in evidence around Selsey Festival time in August. Selsey is a hotspot for diving and snorkelling. The shallow off shore waters from the lifeboat station are crammed with marine life, reefs, corals and sponges as well as wrecks, many of which date from the World Wars. The finest fresh seafood is available here in Selsey which is a major fishing location with a busy fishing fleet.

Pretty East Beach is a popular area with families with a children's playground and family cafe situated behind the seawall. A picturesque promenade runs from East Beach towards the lifeboat station and Selsey centre which has a good selection of restaurants and fine fish and chip shops. Seafood here is fresh from the catch so expect the best fish and chips on the south coast here! Three charming beaches are at Selsey - East, West and Marine Beach with Pagham Harbour, Chichester Harbour and Chichester City Centre all within easy reach. Late July/early August is a good time to visit when both the Selsey Festival and Lifeboat week kicks off.