| Of course, parking comes at a price, and you can | | | | This pathway (referred to as 'the hinge') flooded in |
| expect to pay up to £6.00 per day in the | | | | October 2004, completely isolating the spit from the |
| Summer, compared to up to £2.00 in Winter. | | | | land - though it has since been recovered. Occupying |
| These prices do vary depending on the time of day | | | | ten hectares and spanning four hundred metres at its |
| and the day of the week (weekday or weekend). In | | | | widest point, East Head is a small area of land |
| the Summer the beach is open from 6:30 to 20:30, | | | | consisting of wetlands, grass, shingle and fine sand. |
| after which the gates are locked; it is therefore | | | | The spit is open to the public, but is managed by the |
| advisable to leave slightly in advance of this time. | | | | National Trust, and fires are prohibited. |
| If you are planning a short break or holiday in West | | | | The beach is a haven for many kinds of wildlife, |
| Wittering then it may be more economic to book a | | | | including lizards, rabbits, butterflys, oysters, crabs, |
| hotel in Chichester within driving distance of the | | | | woodmice and numerous species of bird. Obviously |
| beach. Crouchers Country Hotel in Chichester near | | | | this makes the area hugely popular amongst nature |
| West Wittering provides outstanding accommodation | | | | watchers and ecologists. Of course, not only |
| in Chichester and is one such hotel, and a viable | | | | ecologists and nature watchers can take advantage |
| option. | | | | of the rich variety of animal life on the beach - |
| Towards the Eastern side of the beach is East Head, | | | | anyone with a remote fascination with nature will be |
| a naturally occurring sand dune spit. The 'pseudo | | | | able to appreciate the vast array of animals |
| island' is a sight of special scientific interest, and is | | | | coexisting. The beach also features a crabbing pool. |
| only connected to the land by a narrow pathway. | | | | |