Bracklesham Bay

Bracklesham Bay is a bay on the southwest coast of the Manhood Peninsular. The villages of Bracklesham, East Wittering and West Wittering are on or close to the shore. The majority of the shore is shingle bank with exposed sand at low tide and forms part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) up to and including the Medmerry Nature reserve near Selsey. West Wittering is known for sandy beaches.

By car

Road access is from the A286 from Chichester to Birdham. The B2198 and B2179 then form a loop round the villages. The nearest petrol station is at Birdham. When closed the next closest are at Siddlesham and Chichester.

By bus

A high-frequency bus service operates from Chichester (the closest rail station) and Birdham up to every 15 minutes. The Stagecoach South service 52 loops via Bracklesham, East Wittering and West Wittering, the service 53 loops via the reverse route. Compass service 150 also passes through the area from Selsey very infrequently.

By bike

A cycle route, Salterns Way, goes from Chichester to West Wittering then to the sand dunes of East Head. A portion of the cycle route is along busy roads. Access to West Itchenor is also possible from a small pedestrian and cycle ferry from Old Bosham.

The service 52 bus is up to half hourly clockwise through Bracklesham, East Wittering and West Wittering on the B2179 road. The 53 bus traverses the villages counter clockwise.
A local taxi and minicab service is available, but for wheelchair-accessible vehicles it may be necessary to use Selsey or Chichester based firms.

• Earnley Butterflies Birds and Beasts

  phone: +44 7510 970709
  address: 133 Almodington Lane, Earnley, Chichester, PO20 7JR
  A butterfly house, bird aviary, animal & reptile rescue centre, gardens, various exhibitions, children play areas and a café.

• Medmerry RSPB Reserve

  phone: +44 1243 641508
  address: PO20 7NE
  A nature reserve accessible from Earnley or Siddlesham.

• National Trust East HeadShifting sand dunes, shallow waters, salt marsh and wildlife.

This area of the coast area is particularly known for Windsurfing and Kitesurfing. Other shoreline activities include scuba diving with a Valentine Tank and the submarine HMS A1 being among the noted wrecks off the shore. Diving permits are required for protected wrecks.

• Foreshore office RYA yacht training and boat slipway launches

  phone: +44 1243 672123
  Chichester district council assists with boat launches - excluding personal craft and jetskis - runs Royal Yacht Association (RYA) accredited training courses and generally manages the beach. There is a display at the Foreshore office when open.

• West Wittering BeachA sandy Blue Flag beach run by West Wittering Estate PLC with windsurf, kitesurf and swimming areas, café, other facilities and a private car park.

• Solar Heritage Boat Trip

  phone: +44 1243 513275
  Chichester Harbour, very close to Bracklesham Bay. Eco-friendly solar boat trips round Chichester Harbour are available from West Itchenor.

• Fossil Hunting on Bracklesham BayCommon finds include sharks' teeth and bivalve shells.

The main place to shop is East Wittering Village which has an interesting range of local independent shops as well as grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, and other services. Bracklesham and West Wittering also have local shops. There are surfing and kitesurfing specialist stores scattered across the area.

• Dom ristorante and pizzeria

  address: Bracklesham Lane, Bracklesham
  Italian cuisine.

• Pond Barn

  phone: +44 1243 670378
  address: Farm Rd, Bracklesham PO20 8HR

• Drifters

  phone: +44 1243 673584
  address: 59 Shore Road, East Wittering, PO20 8DY
  Informal family-run kitchen bar and restaurant serving main meals, small plated and nibbles.

• The Thatched Tavern

  phone: +44 1243 673087
  address: Church Rd, East Wittering PO20 8PU

• The Shore Inn

  phone: +44 1243 674454
  address: Shore Rd, East Wittering PO20 8DZ

The area is noted for caravan accommodation whist there is surprising little hotel and B&B accommodation for a coastal resort. The Pontins/Richardsons holiday village was closed and sold to property developers in late 2016.

Hotels and B&B

• Pebble Reach Bed and Breakfast

  phone: +44 7590 039059
  address: 16 Rowan Way

• Old House at HomeCombined B&B, restaurant, bar and beer garden

Camping and caravaning

• Stubcroft Farm Campsite

  phone: +44 1243 671469
  address: Stubcroft House Farm, Stubcroft Lane, East Wittering, PO20 8PJ
  Camping and touring caravan site with facilities and shop on a working sheep farm. Bicycle hire may be available. There is also limited B&B accommodation available.

• Post Office

  address: Co-Op Store, Kingfisher Parade, East Wittering PO20 8BL
  In the Co-op store in East Wittering.

• Witterings Library

  address: Oakfield Avenue, East Wittering, PO20 8BT
  Library with public access computers, Wi-Fi, internet access; fax and scanning service; restrictions to under 16s; various charges.

• Chichester
• Selsey
• West Itchenor for foot ferry to Bosham and Habour boat trips
• Bognor Regis