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West Wittering

West Wittering
Photo copyright Chichester Harbour Conservancy

West Wittering village lies to the east of the entrance to Chichester Harbour, behind the sand spit of East Head. Summer finds the village thronged with visiting tourists drawn by the beautiful sandy beaches.

Standing at the mouth of Chichester Harbour, it is likely that the Romans founded some kind of small coastal defence here - certainly it was considered an appropriate place to build fortifications in later centuries.

With gently sloping, clean, sugar-white sands, calm waters and a balmy microclimate, West Wittering is an uncommercial family paradise, sheltered by the Isle of Wight and the South Downs.

East Head near West Wittering is a small but significant sand and shingle spit at the entrance to Chichester Harbour. It is one of the last pieces of natural coastline in the county. It is an ideal place to walk, play and sunbathe or just admire the yachts anchored off the northern end. It is a very important place for wildlife, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Protection Area (SPA), Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Ramsar site and Local Nature Reserve (LNR).

For more information about what you can do in or near West Wittering please visit West Wittering Parish website or the Local Area Links section of this website.