Frequently Asked Questions about Selsey

Common questions answered

Answers to the most common questions about Selsey, West Sussex.

Where is Selsey?

Selsey is a coastal town at the southern tip of the Manhood Peninsula in West Sussex, approximately eight miles south of Chichester. The town is almost surrounded by water, with the English Channel to the south, Pagham Harbour to the east and the Medmerry coastal area to the west. Selsey Bill, the rocky headland at the very end of the peninsula, is the southernmost point of the Manhood Peninsula.

What is the population of Selsey?

Selsey has a permanent population of approximately 10,500 people. The population swells significantly during the summer months when the holiday and caravan parks on the western side of the town fill with visitors. The town has a higher proportion of retired residents than the national average, reflecting its popularity as a retirement destination.

Does Selsey have a train station?

No. Selsey does not have a railway station. The town was served by the Hundred of Manhood and Selsey Tramway from 1897 to 1935, but since its closure Selsey has had no rail connection. The nearest railway station is Chichester, approximately eight miles to the north. Bus services run between Selsey and Chichester, providing the main public transport link.

How do you get to Selsey?

Selsey is reached by the B2145, the only road in and out of the town, which runs south from Chichester through Sidlesham and the flat fields of the Manhood Peninsula. There is no alternative route. Bus services connect Selsey with Chichester, where connections are available by rail and to the A27. The single-road access means that traffic can queue during busy summer weekends.

What is Selsey famous for?

Selsey is known for its fishing heritage, particularly its crab and lobster, which are landed from the beach by a working fleet of small boats. The RNLI lifeboat station at Selsey Bill is a prominent landmark. Historically, Selsey was the seat of the South Saxon bishops from 681 to 1075 AD, making it one of the oldest cathedral sites in England. The name Selsey derives from the Old English for seal island.

Can you buy fresh fish in Selsey?

Yes. Selsey has a working fishing fleet that lands crab and lobster from East Beach. Fresh seafood can sometimes be purchased directly from the fishermen at the beach. Local shops and the Crab and Lobster pub at Sidlesham also serve and sell fresh local seafood. Selsey crab is particularly well regarded and is supplied to restaurants across the region.

What is the RNLI lifeboat station at Selsey?

The RNLI lifeboat station at Selsey Bill has been operational since 1861, making it one of the longest-serving stations on the south coast. The current station, completed in 2017, is a modern facility built on stilts at the end of a long elevated walkway extending from the shore. It houses both an all-weather lifeboat and an inshore lifeboat, crewed entirely by local volunteers.

What is the Medmerry managed realignment scheme?

The Medmerry scheme, completed in 2013, is the largest managed coastal realignment in Europe. The Environment Agency breached the old sea wall west of Selsey, allowing the sea to flood approximately 183 hectares of farmland, creating new salt marsh and wetland habitat. The scheme reduces flood risk to over 300 homes in Selsey. The RSPB manages the resulting nature reserve, which has rapidly attracted a wide range of bird species.

What is Church Norton?

Church Norton is a hamlet on the northern edge of Selsey parish, at the head of Pagham Harbour. It is the site where Saint Wilfrid established the Saxon cathedral in 681 AD. The remains of the original chapel survive as the chancel of a ruined medieval church, standing in a peaceful churchyard overlooking the harbour. The site is part of the Pagham Harbour nature reserve and is excellent for birdwatching.

What wildlife can be seen around Selsey?

Selsey is surrounded by excellent wildlife habitats. Pagham Harbour, to the east, is a nationally important nature reserve supporting wading birds, wildfowl and migratory species including dark-bellied brent geese and little terns. The Medmerry reserve, to the west, attracts avocets, lapwings, little egrets and marsh harriers. The rocky foreshore at Selsey Bill has rock pools, and seals are occasionally seen offshore.

What are the beaches like in Selsey?

Selsey has shingle beaches on both its eastern and western sides. East Beach is the working fishing beach where the fleet operates, with a characterful, maritime atmosphere. West Beach is quieter and faces towards the Isle of Wight. At low tide, patches of sand are exposed. Selsey Bill has a rocky foreshore with boulders and rock pools. The beaches are not sandy resort beaches but have their own rugged appeal.

What is Selsey Bill?

Selsey Bill is the rocky headland at the southernmost tip of the Manhood Peninsula. It is the point where the coastline turns from south-facing to east-facing and is one of the most exposed spots on the Sussex coast. The RNLI lifeboat station stands here at the end of its walkway. The foreshore is rocky, with boulders and rock pools at low tide. The area is popular with anglers and coastal walkers.

What schools are in Selsey?

Selsey has primary schools serving the town and the Selsey Academy, a secondary school for students aged 11 to 16 located on School Lane. For post-16 education, students typically travel to Chichester College or sixth form provision in Chichester, eight miles to the north. The schools serve the local community and the surrounding rural area.

What council covers Selsey?

Selsey falls within Chichester District Council, which provides planning, waste collection and local services for the wider Chichester district. West Sussex County Council is responsible for education, highways, social services and libraries. Selsey also has its own town council, which manages local matters including the town hall, allotments and community events.

Where does the name Selsey come from?

The name Selsey derives from the Old English 'Seolsey', meaning seal island. In the early Saxon period, Selsey was effectively an island, separated from the mainland by tidal creeks and marshes. Seals were abundant in the surrounding waters. Over the centuries, silting and land reclamation connected the peninsula more firmly to the mainland, but the name preserves the memory of Selsey's island origins.