Beaches in Selsey

Shingle shores, rock pools and the fishing beach

Selsey has beaches on three sides, reflecting its position at the tip of the Manhood Peninsula. The beaches vary considerably in character, from the working fishing beach at East Beach to the quiet shingle shores of West Beach and the rocky foreshore at Selsey Bill.

East Beach is the most distinctive. This is Selsey's working fishing beach, where the fleet of small boats is launched from and hauled up onto the shingle. The beach has the unmistakable character of a working shore: fishing huts, pots, nets, tractors and boats drawn up above the tide line. The smell of the sea and the sound of gulls are constant companions. Fresh crab and lobster can sometimes be purchased direct from the fishermen. Beyond the fishing activity, the beach is popular with walkers, swimmers and dog walkers. At low tide, patches of sand are exposed between the shingle banks, and the views north towards Pagham Harbour are clear on a fine day.

West Beach, on the western side of the town, is quieter and more conventional. The shingle shore faces south-west towards the English Channel and the Isle of Wight. Sea defences protect the properties behind the beach, and the coast path runs along the top of the defences, providing elevated views. The beach is popular with dog walkers, beachcombers and those wanting a peaceful stretch of coast away from the holiday park crowds.

Selsey Bill has a rocky foreshore quite different from the shingle beaches elsewhere in the town. Boulders and rock ledges are exposed at low tide, creating rock pools that are popular with children and naturalists. The foreshore can be slippery and uneven, and care is needed when exploring the rocks. The area is also popular with shore anglers, who fish from the rocks for bass, wrasse and other species.

The beaches are not the wide, sandy strands of a traditional resort. They are shingle beaches with a rugged, working character that reflects the town's identity. There are no beach huts, deckchair hire or promenades. The appeal is in the wildness, the views, the fresh air and the sense of being at the very edge of the land.

Swimming is possible from the beaches, but the shingle can be uncomfortable underfoot, and the currents around Selsey Bill are strong. The RNLI lifeguard service does not cover Selsey's beaches, and swimmers should exercise caution, particularly near the Bill.