Summary
Officially the sunniest town in Britain, Bognor Regis is a traditional seaside resort situated in West Sussex.
The initial influx of tourists occurred in the 18th century, notably when King George V recuperated from surgery there during the late 1920s, leading to the town’s royal suffix, Regis.
Since the establishment of Butlin’s holiday camp in 1960, Bognor Regis has epitomized England’s classic seaside resorts, reflecting both the positive and negative aspects associated with them.
However, with the increasing warmth of summers in England, coastal locations like Bognor Regis are experiencing a renaissance.
The coastline features a continuous stretch of shingle beaches bordered by a promenade, complemented by pubs, cafes, charming parks, and shops offering traditional English seaside treats like rock candy.
Explore the top attractions in Bognor Regis:
1. East Beach
This beach, located directly east of Bognor Regis Pier, offers comprehensive facilities for a perfect summer day.
The East Beach is impeccably maintained throughout the year and provides lifeguard services, deckchair rentals, and a variety of stalls selling ice cream and refreshments along the promenade during the summer months.
Bognor is evolving with the introduction of a “Flex on the Beach” fitness trail, and children can enjoy building sandcastles at the designated sandy area amid the otherwise shingle beach.
If hunger strikes, numerous pubs, cafes, and restaurants are within a short walking distance, along with waterfront gardens providing a touch of greenery.
2. Hotham Park
Sir Richard Hotham, the founder of Bognor Regis, selected this land for his estate in the late 18th century.
His elegant Georgian residence remains today, converted into luxury apartments, while features from the original estate, such as an icehouse, can still be found within the park.
This serene nine-hectare area includes a conservation zone, an arboretum, a boating pond, a putting green, and a crazy golf course.
A bandstand situated in a picturesque glade hosts the summer Proms in the Park classical concerts, while children are captivated by the park’s miniature railway, operated by “Boris,” the steam engine.
3. Bognor Regis Museum
A treasure trove of information on Bognor’s history and development, Bognor Regis Museum is a worthwhile visit on West Street.
Housed within a former residence, the museum showcases intriguing historical figures from Bognor.
One notable individual is Mary Wheatland (1835-1924), a bathing machine operator affectionately dubbed “Bognor’s Mermaid” for her life-saving efforts during the Victorian era.
The museum features remarkable collections, including vintage railway posters, fossil specimens, and early radios and cameras, all donated by enthusiasts.
Additionally, the museum has recreated an Edwardian kitchen from the time when the resort was flourishing prior to World War I.
4. Marine Park Gardens
As spring brings warmer sea breezes, Marine Park Gardens presents an ideal location for a relaxing afternoon.
Adjacent to Aldwick Beach in the western part of the resort, Marine Park Gardens occupies a long, narrow plot established in the 1930s.
The gardens feature formal lawns, vibrant summer flowerbeds, herbaceous borders, and historical shelters.
Golf enthusiasts can enhance their short games at the 18-hole putting green, while newly designed sensory gardens cater to individuals with auditory and visual impairments.
5. South Downs National Park
The picturesque countryside located just north of Bognor Regis is among the most scenic in southern England.
In less than five miles, you can reach the South Downs, characterized by dramatic chalk hills that offer invigorating walks rewarded by stunning views.
The undulating hills are adorned with lush grassland grazed by sheep and cattle.
Interestingly, this landscape was once covered in woodland, which was cleared approximately 3,000 years ago for livestock grazing.
Throughout the range, you can encounter prehistoric flint mines and ancient forts from the Bronze and Iron Ages.
Ideal for excursions, visitors can explore the opulent Arundel Castle, the ruins of Boxgrove Priory, or enjoy various idyllic country gardens, with Denman’s Garden being the closest at a mere 15 minutes away.
6. Felpham Beach
The westernmost beach along the Bognor Regis promenade is situated in Felpham, just beyond the Butlin’s camp.
Historically, Felpham was an independent village but has since been enveloped by Bognor’s post-war growth.
This beach provides a quintessential West Sussex experience with a generous expanse of shingle divided by wooden groynes.
Much like other beaches in Bognor, the shingle slopes steeply, but when the tide recedes, soft sand emerges for walking.
On a sunny summer’s day, the promenade becomes a lively destination, featuring wooden beach huts, a putting green, and the Boat House café with a terrace offering splendid sea views.
7. Bognor Regis Pier
Originally built in 1865, the Bognor Regis Pier illustrates the challenges of preserving these Victorian monuments.
Once exceeding 300 meters in length, the pier has faced a fire in 1974 and been reduced in size due to storms in the mid-1960s and again in 1999. Although the grand 1,400-seat Pier Theatre is no longer in existence, the landward end retains fine architecture (currently housing the Sheiks Nightclub) and has received a Grade II listing.
Now measuring 107 meters, the pier remains an excellent location to pause, inhale the fresh sea air, and gaze over Bognor’s extensive shingle beaches.
8. Picturedrome Cinema
As motion pictures gained popularity at the turn of the 20th century, seaside resorts like Bognor welcomed large audiences.
The cinema in Bognor Regis was established at an assembly hall dating back to 1886, and much of its Victorian architecture is preserved in the staircase and auditorium.
Admire the beautiful iron and glass canopy and its historic stained glass “Picturedrome” sign outside.
A pay desk from 1919 stands as a rare survivor in the UK, and the boxes flanking the proscenium arch originate from 1911. Beyond its architectural significance, the Picturedrome serves as a great venue for family outings to enjoy the latest summer blockbusters.
9. Aldwick Beach
Bordered by the promenade and Marine Park Gardens, Aldwick Beach lies just a short distance west of the pier, offering a more tranquil and residential alternative to East Beach.
Nearby, a café also features a shop selling essentials such as windbreaks and children’s inflatables.
A sequence of amenities is available on Marine Drive, ensuring convenient access to meals and necessities.
This beach provides ample space for visitors, especially during low tide when a wide stretch of sand becomes exposed, perfect for beachcombing adventures.
10. Regis Centre
It would not be a coastal town without a venue for live performances, including music, comedy, musicals, plays, and festive pantomimes.
Built in 1980, the Regis Centre features the Alexandra Theatre, accommodating 357 spectators, along with the more intimate Little Alex, which seats 60.
This is the only performing arts center situated between Portsmouth and Worthing, attracting major names, particularly from the British comedy scene.
In 2018, renowned comedians Tom Allen and Phill Jupitus performed here, with Sarah Millican also gracing the stage in recent years.
11. St Mary the Virgin Church, Felpham
In Felpham, one can discover a Grade II* church dating back to the 12th century.
This captivating structure is a must-visit for enthusiasts of Medieval architecture, showcasing a north arcade from 1200, a chancel from 1350, and a Perpendicular Gothic tower raised in the 1400s.
The chancel is particularly stunning from the exterior, featuring three bays and buttressing, with an intriguing amalgamation of Decorated and Flamboyant Gothic styles in its windows.
Inside, visitors can admire a 14th-century piscina located in the chancel, along with a 13th-century Wealden marble font, intricately carved with late-Romanesque arcading.
12. Bersted Brooks
There is no need to travel to the South Downs for a refreshing countryside walk.
On the northern outskirts of Bognor, you can find 46 acres of green space across three fields along the banks of the Aldingbourne Rife (stream). This area is maintained by the Woodland Trust and features a diverse landscape, encompassing mature woodlands, old irrigation ditches, scrubland, wetlands, and meadows.
You are likely to encounter many dog walkers at Bersted Brooks, and there are information boards available for those interested in learning about the local bird, insect, and small mammal populations.
13. Pagham Beach
The most secluded of Bognor’s beaches offers numerous attributes worth experiencing.
Situated a couple of miles west of the resort, this beach features a long stretch of shingle uninterrupted by groynes.
Pagham Beach is home to a yacht club, a beach shop, and a café, alongside a quaint amusement arcade featuring retro games.
For those seeking walks, the unique geographical features of Pagham Harbour lie just behind, providing an authentic natural harbour experience, complete with lagoons, reed beds, salt marshes, and mud flats, crucial habitats for various bird species.
Pintails pause during migration, ruffs spend the winter here, and little terns are commonly observed during spring as they breed and lay eggs in the shingle.
14. West Park
Located behind Aldwick Beach, West Park adjoins Marine Park Gardens.
During the Bognor Regis Carnival in June, a funfair operates for three nights in this lush area.
West Park primarily consists of open fields lined with trees.
Additionally, it features a café at its center, allowing visitors to enjoy refreshments after a stroll.
Thanks to its openness, West Park captures breezes from the English Channel, making it an exceptional spot for kite-flying.
15. International Birdman
Since 1978, the pier at Bognor Regis has been the venue for one of the most unique events imaginable.
The International Birdman involves participants launching themselves in an attempt to travel as far as possible over the Channel.
The event features a mix of serious gliders, eccentric individuals with homemade devices, and those realistically aiming for a splashdown in the water, all for charity.
Over the years, the event has been canceled a few times due to understandable health and safety concerns.
This spectacle typically occurs on the first weekend of September, and in 2019, the International Birdman will encompass the entire town, promoting local businesses.
