Shoreham By Sea to Littlehampton via Worthing Walk

Shoreham to Worthing to Littlehampton : 13.9 miles ( 22.4 km) - the via Shoreham Fort option adds 2.1 miles (3.4 km)

As 2 short walks

• Shoreham to Worthing : 6.4 miles ( 10.3 km) - with the Shoreham Fort option as above.
• Worthing to Littlehampton : 8.6 miles

This walks follows the England Coast Path from Shoreham by Sea to Worthing and then on to Littlehampton. It is an easy walk - there are no cliffs or bays, and navigation is easy - just follow the coast. The seafront path is along a mix of busy seafront promenade through south coast seaside resorts, and quiet paths past seafront homes.

You leave Shoreham (pubs and cafes) by crossing its pretty pedestrian harbour bridge (views) to reach Shoreham Beach.

Here, there is an optional out-and-back detour to the east, along a new beach board walk, to Shoreham Fort (free), which is a nice viewpoint. This on its own would make a pleasant circular walk from Shoreham, which has many nice bars and cafes.

The main walk follows the coast west past Lancing's Widewater Lagoon Nature Reserve (behind the coast path).

There is then a 2km section between Shoreham/Lancing and Worthing where the path runs alongside a busy road. It is best to do this at low tide, so you can walk along the sandy beach instead, to avoid the traffic noise.

Next the path becomes a wide promenade as you enter the seaside resort of Worthing (train station, shops, etc.) passing several beach cafes and then its Pier (free entry, South Pavilion Cafe art-deco cafe at the end highly recommended)

The promenade becomes quieter as you leave town. You pass the Sea Lane Cafe in Goring. A little further, the prom ends, and its grassy paths until you reach the Blue Bird Cafe in Ferring.

A little further on you reach the private estate of West Kingston. Here there is a 1km section which has no path (the houses are directly on to the beach). Except at low tide, you have to walk along the top of the beach. You can time 1 of these 2 awkward sections for low tide, but not both. There is a small section (about 50m) that might be cut off at high tide, however, there is a short signed inland diversion.

The rest of the route is fine, its grassy paths until you join the start of Littlehampton's (resort town, station) fine promenade. The shingle is replaced by sand, you pass the pretentious rusty iron cafe, and the beach becomes sandy. Eventually you reach the small harbour, where you head inland for the station.

The other thing to look out for, even on a sunny day, is the wind, which can be relentless on this exposed walk. Do take a wind-proof top and (sun)glasses (to keep the wind out of your eyes), and consider doing the walk in reverse on a windy day to have the wind behind you.

If the walk seems too long, or you would like to swim, the walk can easily be split into 2 shorter walks, by breaking it in the middle at Worthing - the station is a km (1/2 mile) or so inland

Just to emphasise, this coastal walk is "interesting" rather than "spectacular" (for which, see #cw2.28 Seaford to Eastbourne, or #cw2.29 Hastings to Rye),

The route ios now waymarked as part of the England Coast Path

The route ios now waymarked as part of the England Coast Path

• Previous : #swc213 (Newhaven to Brighton and Portslade). NB: Skipping a stretch of Shoreham Harbour (behind a wall with no sea view), and an inland diversion around the harbour entrance.
• Next : #swc212 (Littlehampton to Bognor Regis)

Trail Report : This walk is part of East Head (Chichester Harbour) to Shoreham, sections #5 Littlehampton to Ferris and #6 Goring to Shoreham harbour

Spoilt for choice, but the best places are:

• Shoreham : many places by the harbour pedestrian bridge over the River Adur, including the Waterside pub on the south side
• Lancing : Perch at Lancing, cafe / bar in a large building on the sea front. Sit at the bar (or outside in summer) to see over the(low) sea wall.
• Worthing : About 500m before the pier is Coast Cafe with some seating on the beach.
• Worthing Pier : The best spot by far is the Perch on the Pier (was the South Pavilion Cafe) at the end of the pier. Beautiful Art-deco glass building in a stunning location with great sea views. Its recent refurb has taken some of its faded art-deco charm but its still a great location. Coffee and cake, mains ~ £16 mains. Outside tables in nice weather. Same group as the Lancing Perch. There's a lower deck around the end of the pier which would be a good spot for a picnic.
• Goring: Sea Lane Cafe, BN12 4HR, on the prom, very busy, tables inside and out, all have a view. Very good value (except for alcohol). Closes at 4:30 (winter) to 6:30 (summer)
• Ferring: Blue Bird Cafe, BN12 5QX, quiet part of the beach, but need an outside table for a view (because of the sea wall). Closes at 5pm
• Littlehampton Beach : The Beach (cafe with roof terrace on the promenade) and East Beach "Rusty Iron" cafe (sea view, meals are expensive, OK for tea and cake)
• Littlehampton : The Windmill pub (Harvester, only outside seating has sea views) on the sea front, and many pubs by the harbour / river on the way to the station.

After the walk, please leave a comment, it really helps. Thanks!

You can also upload photos to the SWC Group on Flickr (upload your photos) and videos to Youtube. This walk's tags are:

National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 • Traveline (bus times): 0871 200 22 33 (12p/min) • TFL (London) : 0343 222 1234

Feb-24 Andrew