A gateway to the beautiful beaches and resort islands of England’s south coast.
Chichester, the only city in West Sussex in the south of England, is an ancient town with plenty of evidence of Roman settlement dotted over town. Nature-loving campers will find a lot to interest them in and around Chichester, as the small city is a convenient gateway to the beaches of England’s south coast. Additionally, Chichester Harbour is one of the few remaining undeveloped coastal landscapes in southern England and provides an idyllic, bird-filled getaway so close to Chichester and larger cities nearby, including Portsmouth and Southampton.
Chichester’s natural harbour has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), thanks to its tidal inlets and wind-blown trees and shrubs that line its undeveloped coast. The saltmarsh and mudflats here are home to tens of thousands of birds, and recreational boats also frequent the harbour. Visitors can walk, cycle, or take scenic boat tours of Chichester Harbour, and there are many campsites and glamping sites both in the AONB and around its edge.
The white-sand beach and colourful bathing boxes at West Wittering make this a lovely summer escape from Chichester city. There are a couple of farm-based campsites just inland from the beach. Further west of West Wittering is East Head, a sandspit, salt marsh, and nature preserve with walking tracks, including the 4-mile East Head and Ellanore Circular Walk.
West of Chichester and connected to the mainland by a road bridge from Langstone, Hayling Island is a popular beach resort with amusement parks, campsites and caravan parks, and three miles of sandy beaches. Camp on Hayling Island or visit the beaches on a summer day trip from Chichester or other parts of the south coast.
Summer is the best time to visit Chichester, as one of the main attractions here for campers is visiting the nearby beaches and natural areas. Summer days are typically warm and dry, and the nights short. However, you can visit Chichester city year-round to explore the cultural attractions—you may just want to stay in a cabin rather than a tent when the weather’s cold.