Felpham Beach

Sandy stretches, sailing club and family seaside

Felpham beach has a character all its own, distinct from both the busier Bognor seafront and the quieter Aldwick shore. It is arguably the most pleasant of the three for families, with wider sandy stretches at low tide, a village atmosphere, the sailing club adding colour and activity, and a sense of community that makes the beach feel like an extension of the village rather than a tourist attraction.

The beach runs eastward from the Bognor seafront, past the end of the built-up esplanade area and along the Felpham frontage. The transition is gradual but distinct: the commercial seafront gives way to a more residential and natural coastline, with the beach becoming sandier and the surroundings quieter. At low tide, the sand at Felpham is among the best on this stretch of coast, wide enough for games, castle building and general beach enjoyment without the crowding that the main Bognor beach can experience on peak days.

Felpham Sailing Club operates from the beach, and the sight of dinghies launching and sailing in the waters off Felpham adds life and interest to the scene. The club's boats, pulled up on the beach between outings, the slipway and the small clubhouse are all part of the beach's character. The sailing club is covered in more detail in the watersports section, but its presence on the beach is worth noting here as a feature that distinguishes Felpham from other local beaches.

The beach is popular with families throughout the summer, and the village feel makes it less overwhelming for young children than larger, busier beaches. The cafes and shops on Felpham Road are a short walk from the beach, providing easy access to ice cream, drinks and snacks without the need to pack everything for a day out. This convenience is one of the practical advantages of a village beach.

Swimming is popular at Felpham, with the beach offering good access to the sea and a gradual entry that suits confident swimmers and cautious paddlers alike. The water is the same English Channel that washes the entire Bognor frontage, and its temperature follows the same seasonal pattern: cold from November to May, tolerably cool in June and September, and at its warmest in July and August, when even pessimistic swimmers might concede that it is not too bad.

Dog walking is a year-round activity on Felpham beach, with restrictions applying during the summer season on some sections. The details of the seasonal restrictions are published by Arun District Council, and dog owners should check the current rules before heading to the beach. Outside the restricted periods, the beach is excellent for dogs, with space to run and the sea providing a natural boundary.

The shingle bank at the top of the beach, above the sandy lower section, provides a natural seating area and a viewpoint from which to watch the sailing, the swimmers and the general beach activity. The beach huts along parts of the Felpham frontage add colour and personality, each one reflecting its owner's taste in paint colours and seaside decoration.

Felpham beach is at its best on a sunny summer day with a gentle breeze, when the sand is warm, the water is sparkling and the sailing dinghies are out. But it is also worth visiting on a wild autumn day, when the waves are up and the beach is empty, and the sense of the sea's power is thrilling rather than threatening.