Sussex


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY? </h2>



<p>Sun seekers, pay attention! West Wittering is the sunniest spot in England. Fact. It’s down to a meteorological quirk for which the locals are very grateful. West Wittering sits on a stretch of sand on the Manhood Peninsula and is flanked by the Isle Of Wight and South Downs. It&#8217;s an idyllic village with flint houses on winding lanes, daisy-covered lawns and oodles of charm, while Chichester is just 8 miles away for that fix of city life. You&#8217;ll be in good company here – Kate Winslet owns a £4m beach front mansion, while Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones has a listed 15th-century cottage. If it’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for Muddy! </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/1-1.jpg" alt="THE WHITTERING BAR IN west wittering" class="wp-image-73159" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/1-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/1-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/1-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/1-1-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Foodies will want to head straight to smart gastropub <a href="https://www.thewittering.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Wittering</a> (above), with a menu that creatively twists classics and champions local produce. Another pub loved by locals is family and dog friendly <a href="https://www.thelambwittering.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Lamb Inn</a>, which hosts locals nights and pub quizzes, as well as offering roasts, a great burger selection and wood-fired pizzas.&nbsp;For a caffeine fix head to the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/westwitteringbeachcafe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beach Café</a> which, as the name suggests, serves up baked treats and coffee by the beach. There’s also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/272756803/the-landing-coffee-shop-west-wittering/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Landing</a> coffee shop which is slightly inland.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/06/1-15.jpg" alt="west wittering beach" class="wp-image-72964" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/06/1-15.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/06/1-15-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/06/1-15-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/06/1-15-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>There’s more choice just a mile and a half away at neighbouring East Wittering, with <a href="https://www.drifters-ew.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Drifters</a>, a family-run restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and a shaded terrace for those who want to escape the rays. Locals love the coffee at <a href="https://www.witteringsurfshop.com/pages/drift-in-cafe?srsltid=AfmBOoq6JoObE3L-3O0cFj8nrv47-ZfKfzUaBJSVSfWHqOIbMU7mqdSq" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Drift-In Surf Café</a>, which has suitably beachy vibes. For fine dining you’ll need to head towards Chichester – check out <a href="https://www.purchasesrestaurant.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Purchases</a>, which offers brasserie-style dining with aplomb – or the nearby <a href="https://ashlingpark.co.uk/restaurant/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ashling Park</a> wine estate, which has a gorgeous farm-to-fork restaurant.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/2-1.jpg" alt="Little Art Gallery west wittering" class="wp-image-73160" style="aspect-ratio:1.4992503748125936;width:640px;height:auto" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/2-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/2-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/2-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/2-1-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>The jewel in West Wittering’s crown is its vital, elegant expanse of beach and the sense of peace and freedom you’ll find there, so what it lacks in retail therapy it more than makes up for in vitamin-sea (sorry!). Having said that, <a href="https://www.newwavesbox.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Waves Box</a> is a cute gift and interiors shop stocking handcrafted items and beach goods. The <a href="https://www.thelittleartgallery.online/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Little Art Gallery</a> (above) showcases local artists&#8217; work and you can pick up coastal-themed contemporary pieces, too.&nbsp;</p>



<p>There are multiple watersports shops in the area, where you can rent equipment or service what you already have as well as buy yourself a new paddle board. In the mood for a BBQ? Stop in at the traditional and family-run <a href="https://westwitteringbutchers.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tessiers Butchers</a> for high quality meats, cheeses and pies.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p>A lot of activity here is aquatic based, unsurprisingly – the beach is primed for surfing, sailing, kayaking and paddleboarding. For R&amp;R you can book into <a href="https://bondirise.com/retreat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bondi Rise Retreat</a> offering yoga, restorative pilates, hot‑tub and sunrise swims. Bliss. <a href="https://www.witteringwellbeing.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wittering Wellbeing</a> combines therapeutic work with the natural elements of the beach and offers mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) courses, paddle board therapy, yoga and open water swimming.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>The epicentre of local activity is the <a href="https://westwitteringmemorialhall.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">West Wittering Memorial Hall</a> which hosts dance classes, yoga, bowls and social activities. For low-key local fun try <a href="https://witteringparishcouncil.com/the-village/sports-social-club/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wittering Sports &amp; Social Club</a> – if offers quiz nights, karaoke, discos, pool and darts. The <a href="https://www.itchenorsc.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Itchenor Sailing Club</a> at nearby Chichester Harbour is a sociable place based around racing and sailing.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/3-1.jpg" alt="Weald &amp; Downland Living Museum west wittering" class="wp-image-73161" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/3-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/3-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/3-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/07/3-1-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>A 10-min walk from West Wittering will get you to Ella Nore spit, part of Chichester Harbour AONB, which is a protected wildlife site as well as boasting stunning sunsets over the estuary, boat trips and paddle board options. Best clean that camera lens.&nbsp;</p>



<p>If you prefer dry land, the South Downs are close&nbsp;for hiking and mountain biking. <a href="https://www.wealddown.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weald &amp; Downland Living Museum</a> (above, of <em>The Repair Shop</em> fame) is just down the road and has a host of family focused activities throughout the year. <a href="https://sussexpast.co.uk/attraction/fishbourne-roman-palace/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fishbourne Roman Palace</a> houses historical treasures, and visit the stunning&nbsp;<a href="https://www.westdean.ac.uk/gardens" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">West Dean Gardens</a> for horticultural beauty.</p>



<p>In West Sussex you’re never far from a vineyard. <a href="https://www.tinwoodestate.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tinwood</a>, <a href="https://ashlingpark.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ashling Park</a> and <a href="https://nutbournevineyards.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nutbourne</a> are all within easy reach.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<p>While the beautiful beach is often a backdrop to TV dramas (an episode of <em>Call the Midwife</em> was filmed here recently), there’s more natural beauty than cultural. But just a 20-min drive away, Chichester is a treasure box of cultural gems, including the cathedral, historic walls and canal basin. The city is also home to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cft.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chichester Festival Theatre</a>&nbsp;and independent&nbsp;<a href="https://chichestercinema.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chichester Cinema at New Park</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</h2>



<p>Prices peaked in 2022 and now the average price sits at around £700,000, with detached properties reaching around&nbsp;£850,000, semi-detached properties £385,000, and flats at £226,250.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/09/Untitled-design-220.jpg" alt="A 5-bed family home in West Wittering, on the market for £1.5m." class="wp-image-79369" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/09/Untitled-design-220.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/09/Untitled-design-220-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/09/Untitled-design-220-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/09/Untitled-design-220-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Put your own stamp on this thatched 5-bed family home in West Wittering, <a href="https://www.strideandson.co.uk/properties/20485005/sales#/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">on the market for £1.5m</a>.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.ladybirds-bracklesham.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ladybirds Nursery</a> in nearby Bracklesham Bay has held Ofsted&#8217;s highest grade for more than a decade. It offers plenty of early years outdoor learning. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.westwitteringschool.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">West Wittering Parochial CE</a>, <a href="https://www.boshamprimary.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bosham</a> and <a href="https://eastwitteringprimary.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">East Wittering Community </a>primaries are all rated good by Ofsted. For secondaries head to Chichester: the heavily oversubscribed <a href="https://www.bishopluffa.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bishop Luffa School</a>, a co-ed secondary, is judged excellent by the Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools and outstanding by Ofsted, and <a href="https://www.chichesterhigh-tkat.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chichester High School</a>, part of Kemnal Academies Trust, is Ofsted good and outstanding for its Sixth Form.</p>



<p>For indies, <a href="https://www.prebendalschool.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Prebendal </a>is a small co-ed prep with a family feel and also a choir school for the cathedral. Unsurprisingly, music is a speciality. There&#8217;s also <a href="https://www.westbournehouse.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Westbourne House</a> and <a href="https://oakwoodschool.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oakwood School</a>. <a href="https://www.seaford.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Seaford College</a> has day and boarding options.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>West Wittering is affectionately known by locals as God&#8217;s pocket for its &#8216;ungodly&#8217; amount of sunshine. To be fair in the sunshine it looks like the Caribbean.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>You’re at the seaside, so why leave? But if you need to, the nearest station is a 20-min drive away in Chichester, from which London Victoria is 90 mins, Brighton on hour and London Bridge around 2 hrs. You can also pick up the south-coast trunk road, the A27.&nbsp;</p>



<p><em>View the full <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Top 260 </a><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Places</a><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> to Live</a>.</em></p>


West Wittering

See more in Sussex