STRETCHING for around 140 miles on the south coast of England from Camber in the east to Chichester Harbour in the west, Sussex’s shoreline is packed with beautiful beaches.
Here pebble and shingle bays are mingled with sandy stretches, with some gaining Blue Flag status for safety and water quality, including West Wittering and Hove.
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Whether you’re looking to walk along the spectacular cliffs at Beachy Head, build sandcastles at Camber Sands, try surfing at West Witterings, or venture off the beaten track and find a quieter coastal spot, there’s a beach to suit you.
So the trickiest question on your next £9.50 Holiday will be: which beach should you visit first?
We’ve spoken to Sun readers who have visited Sussex, as well as local experts, to find out which are the county’s best beaches. Here’s what they said…
Best for families
Sun reader Nora Hinds, 69, from Hounslow, has taken multiple £9.50 Holidays in Sussex over the years, most recently staying at Parkdean Resorts Camber Sands in East Sussex.
She said: “To me, the beach at Camber Sands is the best in England. It has nice sand and wonderful dunes.
“When the kids were little they used to slide up and down the dunes, or we’d go for little rambles in the dunes.”
Parents can also rest easy knowing there are good facilities and lifeguards in the summer months.
And with five miles of Blue Flag beach to explore, you’re sure to find a corner to yourself.
Nora added: “It’s not too busy, as it doesn’t have amusement arcades that tend to attract crowds.”
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Best for wild beauty
Where the South Downs meet the sea, Cuckmere Haven, in East Sussex, features chalk cliffs, meadow and rocky foreshore.
It’s so scenic that it’s been used as a filming location in films including Harry Potter and Robin Hood.
Come here and you’ll likely spot wildlife ranging from oystercatchers and skylarks to rabbits, seahorses and butterflies.
Daniel Start, author of Wild Guide London and South England, says: “This is a wild beach, where the river meets the sea, against a backdrop of the iconic Seven Sisters.
“You can explore the myriad caves carved within them or wander upstream to swim in the lakes made from the meanders of the ancient river.”
Quieter beaches
Clare Johnson says: “If you want to find a more secluded beach, Seal Bay (in Selsey, West Sussex) has its own private beach.
“It’s pebbled, but much less busy. You can go to the far end and continue walking to a more secluded beach.
“You can go swimming or sunbathe, and you can see Spinnaker Tower and Portsmouth from there. It’s a nice place to sit and enjoy the views.”
Sue Mercer, 62, from Pagham says: “I like to walk out from Church Norton to East Beach Selsey – the coastline here feels deserted and there’s a nature reserve nearby (the RSPB Pagham Harbour).
“When you reach the coast at Selsey, you can also visit the lifeboat station.”
The Selsey Lifeboat Station is packed with history – its volunteer crews have been saving people at sea since 1861 and you can visit it six days a week (Wednesday-Monday) between 10.30am and 4pm.
Sue added: “West Bognor is also a quieter beach than the Witterings.”
If you’re holidaying in East Sussex and keen to find a beach to yourself, Georgie Radford-Brown, Assistant Guest Experience Manager at Camber Sands Holiday Park, suggests Rye Harbour.
She said: “It’s the quietest beach around. You have to walk through the Nature Reserve, and then you keep going to the beach.
“Once you get down to the beach, there aren’t many people there. You can swim in the sea, or explore the World War Two pillboxes.
“There’s also the Lime Kiln Cafe inside the nature reserve that serves local products, like Sussex crisps, cheeses and coffee.”
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Best beach for a pint
Just over the dunes of Camber Sands, The Owl is a family-friendly pub serving relaxed lunches and a great selection of locally brewed ales and lagers.
If you’re exploring further west, The Beachy Head in Eastbourne is highly rated for its Sunday roasts and proximity to the Seven Sisters and cliff walks.
Meanwhile, in West Sussex, The Wittering is a modern pub with cosy fires and striking artwork – set beside West Wittering Beach.
Best all-rounder
Located where Chichester Harbour meets the English Channel, West Wittering Beach really does have it all.
The Blue Flag, sandy beach is a family favourite and a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
It also has plenty of activities on tap, including surfing and kitesurfing with a local watersports school like 2XS, although kids will be just as happy building sandcastles and splashing in rock pools at low tide.
Backed by natural grassland and marshland and lined with colourful beach huts, West Wittering is also perfect for wildlife spotting or setting off on one of the idyllic walks nearby.
Sun reader Clare Johnson, 52, from Brighton, said: “The best beach has got to be West Wittering.
“It’s a beautiful, huge sandy beach that is great for kids. But in summer it gets busy, so you need to pre-book parking (from £2.50 in low season, from £6 in peak season).”
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