The Beach and Seafront in Bognor Regis

Sand, shingle and the Bognor promenade

The beach is the defining feature of Bognor Regis, the reason the town exists as a resort and the thing that shapes daily life for residents and draws visitors from across the south-east. It stretches for miles along the coast, a mix of sand and shingle that changes character with the tides, the seasons and the weather. At low tide on a summer day, wide stretches of sand are revealed, and the beach fills with families, swimmers, dog walkers and sunbathers. In winter, the same beach is windswept and largely empty, beautiful in a different way.

The main Bognor beach runs along the Esplanade from the pier area eastwards towards Felpham. The promenade above the beach provides a level, paved surface for walking and cycling, with benches, shelters and the occasional cafe or kiosk breaking up the frontage. The Esplanade is at its busiest on warm summer weekends, but it is used year-round by walkers, joggers and people who simply want to sit and look at the sea.

The pier, or what remains of it, is a local landmark. The original Bognor pier extended much further than the current structure, which was shortened after storm damage over the years. Plans for the pier's future have been discussed repeatedly, and the structure remains a focal point of the seafront even in its reduced state.

The beach itself is a mix of sand and shingle, with the proportions varying along the frontage and changing with the tides and the weather. At low tide, particularly along the Felpham stretch, there are wide sandy areas that are excellent for children, beach games and general seaside enjoyment. Higher up the beach, the shingle predominates, and comfortable sitting requires a chair, a towel on a level spot or the philosophy that a bit of pebble-sitting never hurt anyone.

Swimming from the beach is popular in the warmer months and year-round for the cold-water community. The water deepens gradually, which makes it relatively safe for paddling and swimming close to shore. There are no lifeguards on most of the beach for most of the year, so swimmers should be aware of their own abilities and the conditions. The tides and occasional currents require respect.

The seafront has undergone various phases of improvement and development over the years. The Regis Centre, the amusement areas, the cafes and the small-scale attractions along the front provide the seaside entertainment that visitors expect without overwhelming the natural character of the beach. Bognor's seafront is not as heavily commercialised as some larger resorts, which many people consider an advantage.

The beach stretches westward through Aldwick, where it becomes quieter and less developed. This is covered in the Aldwick beach section. To the east, Felpham beach has its own character and community, covered separately. Between them, the three beaches offer miles of coastline that cater for different tastes, from the busier family beach in front of the town to the peaceful stretches at either end.

The beach is Bognor's greatest natural asset, free to use every day of the year and available to everyone regardless of income or background. It is the reason the town became a resort, the reason visitors return year after year and the reason residents choose to live here rather than somewhere cheaper inland. A town with a beach is fundamentally different from a town without one, and Bognor's beach, in all its seasonal variations, is the defining feature of the place.