Which sandy beach between Bournemouth and Bognor shall we hit tomorrow?

[BeachBabbler]

Yep, I know those places aren't close together 😅

Tomorrow it's scheduled to be hot and we have a rare free day so planning to take the kids to the beach. Must haves: proper sand, reasonable parking not too far away (we have a blue badge which helps with parking but also can't walk too far), access to toilets and ideally ice creams. That's it.

We live just over an hour north of Southampton so we will drive via the A31/M3 but I've never found a nice beach near Southampton so shall we turn west towards Bournemouth, maybe to Avon Beach? Or East towards Bognor, maybe somewhere near Portsmouth? TIA.

You could try West Wittering. The road towards there was rammed today, but it’s Sunday. Monday should be better. Massive sandy beach and parking nearby. Until recently, you had to book a parking slot, but they’ve stopped that now.

That was exactly what I came on to say!

West wittering - I think they're still pre booking parking but not 100%0and I'd not go down M3 for this, I'd go down A3m then A27

But I'd recommend Southbourne or boscombe beach as beautiful and sandy.

Ooh I've heard great thanks about West Wittering but never been. The only problem is because of the way it's tucked away it takes longer to get to even though it looks closer. I'll have to see what mood the kids are in in the morning - any other suggestions welcome.

Park at the South Parade pier car park and get the Hovercraft over to Ryde IOW..it takes 10 mins . Or Gunwharf Quays and get the Fast cat to Ryde Pierhead - 25 mins - and get the train down the pier, if you cant walk it. . sandy beach , seafront , cafes etc and the beach is huge when tide is out and safe to right walk out on ....

Bournemouth is stunning as a sandy beach, but do NOT COME MIDDAY as the parking is already long gone, and traffic queues all the way down the a338 sometimes. I've seen people trundling in at 11am and already it's jam packed.

Another vote for West Wittering.

Oh, I thought you might be Southern Water trying to establish the 'best' place for a sewage discharge to cause the maximum amount of misery.

You absolutely need to book Witterings at the moment because the traffic has been horrendous, they've had to reintroduce it. The A27 has been vile all weekend, I'd avoid to be honest.

Would you like sandy, or is stoney beach ok? I'd be inclined to head down to Hayling Island myself, but then as a South Coast local, I avoid the beach in the summer entirely

Avon beach or a bit further Swanage is lovely

Where ever you go get there really early. Parking at Avon beach in the holidays will be full by 10.30 I reckon.

Canford Cliffs is lovely if you want to go a bit further past Bournemouth, but it’s a steep trek up and down from the cliff top. Or you could go all the way to Sandbanks (expensive, but it’s very nice)

We can't go further west than Bournemouth for a sensible day trip for our family, we can't manage steep cliffs due to disability and DEFINITELY need a sandy beach - kids will entertain themselves for hours in the sand.

Thanks for the ideas so far.

Sandbanks is only a tiny bit further from Bournemouth and is a lovely beach. Or Alum Chine is on the way to Sandbanks but a bit before and also lovely. Wherever you go, go mega early! Both beaches have easy access and good facilities.

Also here to say West Wittering, but leave early and be prepared to queue in traffic.

Hayling and Selsey are okay, but are pebble beaches. Also involve driving down to a peninsula.

Or, how about going a bit further by a few miles? Climping (or Clymping) has a sandy beach with dunes or there's Littlehampton with a funfair on the seafront.

Oh, I see a PP has suggested Ryde. Totally recommend that beach as an islander! All sand, loads to do, now accessible for disabled peeps (such as myself!).

You'll have to park up and get the hovercraft, fastcat or passenger ferry. I think I have some Red Funnel and Wighlink codes knocking about but I'm on the app and can't get PMs.

Islander also @OldTinHat ..
Good shout .. I dont seem to have any current Ryde Fastcat vouchers atm sadly ..

Hillhead. Extremely sandy when the tides out, free parking with blue badge and flat promenade to walk along. Also a field and park and a lovely little cafe called the shack.

Ok I've just googled Sandbanks and due to fast roads etc it is actually no further than say Avon bean - and closer than West Wittering so will look more into that one.

Hillhead is the closest yet! So I will check the tide times for tomorrow and see if it works out.

Low tide is 11.30am. High tide 7pm

So plenty of sand between 10 and about 4 that's nice and dry and useable.

I live really near Hillhead. It's great as a local beach but if you are travelling a distance anyway I would definitely make the effort to go to Sandbanks or a beach that way.

We were at Heginstbury head beach a few weeks ago, it was lovely and sandy. I think it's less busy than Bournemouth and boscombe beaches, it's a short walk from car park to the beach.
It's just a bit down from Southbourne.

Have you had the Wightlink booklet through? I'm thinking I have, but I am now questioning myself! I definitely have the RF.

Sorry OP, gatecrashing your post! Have a fabulous beach day tomorrow, wherever you end up 🏖 And let us know where you go afterwards and rate out of 10!

No dont seem to have one past May ) that doesn't mean much though because I have multilink tickets for WL car ferry and old gits discount for passenger one..
I have RF up to end August..
However dont tend to use it as we book the campervan over for the max amount of trips on the November 35% RF one and usr WL multilink for the car the rest of the time..

Do give Ryde a go sometime though OP ...im sure your kids will love it! Our adult DCs and DGCs always think coming over here for a few days is like going abroad! But in fact if you can easily get over from Southampton, Lymington or Portsmouth for just a day out.. On my end of the island I'd recommend Colwell bay ( best swimming for younger kids) and also Totland /Freshwater- all great swimming and ypu can get the bus from Yarmouth.. Though you only get sand at low tide ..