Separated from the bulk of Littlehampton by the River Arun and not so easily accessible as the East Beach, the West Beach is much quieter in terms of the number of visitors. There is a pay and display car park and the newly re-opened West Beach Cafe and a public convenience. To reach the west beach by
West Beach Pier - Low(ish) Tide
West Beach Pier - High Tide
West Beach Dunes
Sunset Over the Beach and Dunes
The Old Fort
Snow on the Dunes
Looking Over the Golf Course
to provide the wildlife and plants with an undisturbed environment. On the sand flats lugworm and cockles bury under the sand attracting birds such as Sanderling, Oyster Catchers and Ringed Plovers. There is also Vegetated Shingle on stretches of this beach. Vegetated shingle is quite rare throughout the world as are the plants that grow on it, these include Sea Beet, Yellow Horned Poppy and Sea Kale. Insects including rare moths use the plants to feed on and hide in. They, in their turn, attract birds such as Turnstones who search these plants and the piles of dead seaweed for insects to eat. The Ringed Plovers also lay their eggs on the shingle, so watch where you step during the breeding season.
Like all natural environments there is a delicate balance to be maintained so when you visit please keep your dogs under control, respect the protected areas, try not to walk on the plants and always take all of you litter home or place it in the bins provided and that includes dog pooh. Please DO NOT put your dogs pooh in a plastic bag and then leave it on the beach or hanging from a fence. If you can’t be bothered to dispose of it properly then don’t bag it, at least it will then rot away. Finally please don’t set fire to the dunes by the careless disposal of cigarette ends or matches (Marram Grass burns very easily) or lighting fires for barbeques, which is against local by-laws anyway. Enjoy, but be responsible.
Like all natural environments there is a delicate balance to be maintained so when you visit please keep your dogs under control, respect the protected areas, try not to walk on the plants and always take all of you litter home or place it in the bins provided and that includes dog pooh. Please DO NOT put your dogs pooh in a plastic bag and then leave it on the beach or hanging from a fence. If you can’t be bothered to dispose of it properly then don’t bag it, at least it will then rot away. Finally please don’t set fire to the dunes by the careless disposal of cigarette ends or matches (Marram Grass burns very easily) or lighting fires for barbeques, which is against local by-laws anyway. Enjoy, but be responsible.
car you have to drive out of Littlehampton and back in along Ferry Road. By bicycle or foot you cross the footbridge and head down Rope Walk. The walk down the West Bank of the Arun is a pleasant stroll as described on this site. Arriving at the beach you have the sweeping arm of the west beach pier with the beach and dunes to your right and the River Arun to your left and there are some excellent views of both the river mouth and East Beach and west along the coast to Clymping Gap. Just to the right of the cafe is a path through the dunes which take you past the remains of a Napoleonic Fort and back down to the beach.
The sand dunes are a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and one of only two dune systems in West Sussex. They are home to some rare plants as well as wildlife. Some of the dunes are fenced off to protect them from erosion from visitors and
The sand dunes are a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and one of only two dune systems in West Sussex. They are home to some rare plants as well as wildlife. Some of the dunes are fenced off to protect them from erosion from visitors and
