The Doves made an impromptu trip to the West Sussex coast again recently. We’ve explored the likes of West Wittering and East Head over the past few weeks so we opted for the seaside town of Littlehampton. Having larked around on the Britain’s longest bench, which seats 300 people, we headed down from the promenade to jump the waves and attempt to build sandcastles.
While being overseas often brings with it blue skies and sunshine, it’s great to check out UK beaches in winter too. For starters, at the time we arrive anyway, they’re usually deserted. You can just hear the waves crashing, the seagulls squawking and five year old POD giggling. A sea breeze is always welcome even if your cheeks are rosy and you can no longer feel your fingers.
Littlehampton has two award-winning beaches. There’s West Beach which is a site of Specific Interest and home to one of only three sand dune systems in West Sussex. It’s well recognised for its laid back atmosphere and a great spot for picnic. The Isle of Wight and neighbouring Bognor can even be seen on a clear day. East Beach, where we were, is a family friendly sand and pebble beach over a mile long in length. It’s a great spot for a walk and various events are held throughout the year. As well as Britain’s longest beach, there is the East Beach Cafe and Stage by the Sea which is a performance space seemingly like no other on the South Coast.
For us, it was all about having fun however that manifested itself. We checked out the barnacles, dug in the sand and found a few friends on the beach. POD particularly enjoyed chasing Mummy with a stinky piece of seaweed, aiming it at my head closely followed by my camera. Having been caught , she lay in the shingle having a fit of the giggles. I love it when she laughs uncontrollably like that, such a shame it can’t be bottled!
POD was thrilled we discovered a mini fun fair a stones throw away from the beach. She got to meet a character called ‘Sandy’, ride on a small rollercoaster with Mummy, bounce on a trampoline and steer a boat wearing an oversized lifejacket. Following the fresh air and excitement, fish and chips were the order of the day. We were served the largest battered fish I’ve ever seen and it was tasty too. With the sun beginning to make an appearance, the beach became busier and that was our cue to return home. We’d smiled so much our faces hurt but what a great time we had. 
Such gorgeous photos! I love the beach in winter – so much emptier, and beachside fun fairs are always an added bonus!
What a fun trip out! I love seasides in the winter. (And your daughter’s coat is gorgeous!!)
What an amazing day out! Thanks for sharing your fabulous photos – I can’t believe how fast Pod is growing up x
What great photos! I love the beach in this weather, it’s so much more fun than when it’s crowded in the Summer x
[…] views. POD loves jumping the waves, making sandcastles and hunting for shells or fossils. On a recent trip to the coast we even discovered the largest bench in the UK and POD found throwing seaweed at Mummy highly […]
Love her hat and your photography, beautiful as always!xx
Beautiful pictures. We love going to deserted beaches and splashing in the sea with our wellies 🙂
We are pretty rubbish at going to British beaches, the last time we went to West Wittering we’d just got onto the beach and there was the most horrendous rain storm, it’s quite funny looking back, but was no fun at all at the time.
Looks like a lovely impromptu break
I love being by the sea and often frequent Felixstowe as and when we can both get away for a weekend.