West Sussex: South Downs Park, Bognor Regis, West Wittering
West Sussex is England’s sunniest county, and is home to many faded seaside resorts (Bognor Regis, Worthing, Littlehampton), which with a bit of love and vision, have all the makings of returning them to the popular holiday destinations that they used to be.
100 years ago, Bognor was the resort of choice for royalty, today it’s more known for Butlins holiday camp and lots of litter.
This county also reaches inland by a long way, from the upmarket villages right up to Gatwick Airport, not far from London. Many pilots live in the affluent town of Horsham, as they have salaries high enough to live there!
If walking in nature, always follow the Countryside Code, to keep dogs and barnyard friends safe. If visiting the nearby coast, read our post on keeping dogs safe by the seaside.
Roman Walls and Amphitheatre
The Roman walls tracing Chichester’s heart are impossible to miss, rising in solid stretches along busy pavements and quiet paths. Built around 1800 years ago, they are among the best-preserved in southern England.
The walls were first laid in local stone and thick rubble, an impressive feat for the builders. Today, about 80% of the original route still circles the city centre—a rare sight anywhere in Britain.
Chichester Harbour itself changed pace along with the city. Once alive with cargo ships, it now draws more sailors than traders. Today, the harbour is one of England’s main leisure sailing spots. Read our post for sustainable sailors!
South Downs National Park
This is England’s newest National Park, which is basically a way of saying that nobody can build on it. Home to chalk downs and sweeping views across the county, this park extends to Winchester in Hampshire (west) and to Eastbourne in East Sussex (east).
Spring brings wildflowers and birdsong, and the beech woods glow with copper hues, when autumn arrives. Many villages (like Amberley) lie nestled in the valleys, with old pubs and hidden churches giving a real example of old England.
This park is an International Dark Sky Reserve, free from light pollution. This attracts many wildlife species from butterflies to skylarks and shy deer (who hide in ancient woodlands). Barn owls can safely hunt at dusk, and local nature reserves help to protect rare bats, dormice and orchids.
The South Downs Way is a 100-mile national trail that runs across the heart of the park. It’s well-marked and open to walkers, taking you through open hills, secret valleys and quiet forests.
Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve
This is a haven for walkers and birdwatchers, who watch migrating birds arrive from across Europe, each spring and autumn. At low tide, mudflats stretch out to the sea, ideal for England’s wading birds and native geese.
Pulborough Brooks is a nearby RSPB reserve, that sits in the floodplain of the River Arun, trails winding through wet meadows and ancient oaks. This is popular for nightingales and endangered lapwings, who arrive in spring. And in winter, you’ll see flocks of wild geese and ducks.
West Wittering Beach
This sandy beach is loved by locals and visitors, who look out to the blue-green sea, and paddle in tidal pools at low water. Also popular with wild swimmers, the beach stretches for miles towards the Solent.
The dunes and saltmarshes are home to rare wildlife, so never walk on sand dunes (keep to designated paths). Keep dogs away from nesting birds and seals (there are seasonal dog restrictions, so check before travel).
Often called ‘the poshest village in Sussex’, West Wittering is a short (bumpy) bus ride from Chichester. Nicholas Lyndhurst went to school here (he ‘learned’ the Peckham accent to play Rodney Trotter).
Nearby Selsey boasts the cleanest waters in England, with views over the English channel. It was home to TV astronomer Sir Patrick Moore.
Arundel Cathedral (and surrounding wetlands)
Even if you’re not religious, you’ll be impressed by Arundel Cathedral. The Gothic architecture blends beautifully with the River Arun, where you can spot it ‘peeking from behind the trees’. Built in the 19th century, the cathedral is known for its choir performances.
The nearby castle is controversial, due to the owner breeding pheasants for shooting, and setting snares that have trapped other wildlife, and domestic dogs. Yet as a Roman Catholic, he is the ‘most senior representative’ for his faith at Vatican City. God knows what Saint Francis of Assisi would think?
The Guardian reports that in his time of sitting in the House of Lords (21 years), the Duke has made no speeches, asked no written questions, and voted just 12 times (7 to protect hunting innocent animals).
If you prefer a quieter afternoon, just outside Arundel is a wetland centre, a haven for ducks, kingfishers and otters. Boardwalks wind through reed beds, lakes and meadows.
