Aldwick Beach

A quieter stretch of coast west of Bognor

Aldwick beach is the quieter, less developed stretch of coastline to the west of Bognor Regis, and it provides a markedly different beach experience from the busier frontage in front of the town centre. Where the main Bognor beach has the pier, the promenade, the cafes and the summer crowds, Aldwick beach has space, peace and a sense of being slightly apart from the resort atmosphere.

The beach runs westward from the end of the Bognor seafront development, passing the Aldwick Bay Estate and continuing towards Pagham. The character changes as you move west: the beach becomes less frequented, the buildings behind it are residential rather than commercial, and the feeling shifts from seaside resort to something closer to a natural coastline. On a weekday outside the summer holidays, you can walk along Aldwick beach and see very few other people.

The beach itself is predominantly shingle, with some sand exposed at lower tides. The shingle is coarser than on the main Bognor beach, and comfortable sitting requires a towel, a mat or a philosophical approach to pebbles. Beach huts line parts of the frontage, providing storage for regular visitors and contributing a splash of colour to the scene. The huts are privately owned or rented and are in steady demand, reflecting the appeal of having a permanent base on a stretch of coast that you know and love.

Swimming from Aldwick beach is popular with residents who prefer a quieter spot than the main beach. The water quality is generally good, and the beach shelves gently into the sea. There are no lifeguards, and swimmers should be aware of their own abilities and the conditions. The cold-water swimming community uses this stretch of coast regularly, particularly in the early morning when the beach is at its most peaceful.

Dog walking is one of the primary uses of Aldwick beach year-round. The space, the sea and the relative freedom from crowds make it ideal for dogs, and the morning and evening dog-walking sessions are social occasions as much as exercise for the animals. Dog owners get to know each other over time, and the beach becomes a community in its own right.

The sea defences along the Aldwick frontage are a constant concern. Coastal erosion and flooding are real risks on this stretch of coast, and the groynes, sea walls and other defences require ongoing maintenance and occasional replacement. The debate about the long-term management of the coastline, and who should pay for it, is a recurring theme in local politics.

Access to the beach is from various points along the Aldwick frontage, with steps and slopes down from the coastal path and the residential streets behind. Parking is limited, with no large car parks close to the beach. Most visitors walk from their homes or park in the residential streets, where parking restrictions are generally light.

Aldwick beach is at its best in the early morning and the evening, when the light on the water is at its most beautiful and the beach is at its quietest. The sunsets to the west, looking out towards Selsey and the harbour, can be spectacular, and watching the evening light from the beach or the coastal path is one of the pleasures of living in Aldwick.