Parking in Selsey

Where to park in the town and at the coast

Parking in Selsey is generally straightforward compared to larger towns and cities. The town does not have a multi-storey car park or a park-and-ride scheme, but on-street parking, small car parks and residential driveways accommodate the needs of residents and visitors without the stress and expense that characterise parking in urban centres.

The town centre has limited car parking provision near the High Street. Spaces are available on the surrounding streets and in small parking areas, but during busy periods, particularly summer weekends when the holiday parks bring additional visitors, spaces can be harder to find. There are no parking meters in the residential areas, and most streets operate without restrictions.

At the coast, informal parking areas near Selsey Bill, East Beach and West Beach provide access for visitors heading to the beach, the lifeboat station or the coast path. These areas can fill up during fine weather in the summer, and overspill parking on nearby streets can cause minor congestion. The lifeboat station area at Selsey Bill is a popular stopping point for visitors, and the parking nearby is limited.

Church Norton has very limited parking at the end of the lane, and visitors to the Pagham Harbour nature reserve at this point are encouraged to park considerately and to avoid blocking the narrow lane. The RSPB visitor centre at Sidlesham has its own car park, which is a better option for those visiting the harbour.

The holiday parks have their own car parking for guests, removing much of the visitor vehicle traffic from the town streets. Guests are generally encouraged to park within the parks and to walk or cycle into the town.

For residents, most properties in Selsey have driveways or garages, reflecting the bungalow-dominated housing stock and the generous plot sizes. On-street parking is available where driveways are not, and parking disputes are rare in a town where spaces are generally available.

Parking charges in Selsey are minimal or absent, which contrasts favourably with the charges in Chichester, where multi-storey car parks and on-street meters apply. For visitors arriving by car, the absence of parking charges is a welcome feature of a day trip to Selsey.