Chichester's Coastal Charms

This summer make waves and stick with the in crowd by heading down to West Wittering, Britain's answer to the Hamptons. Here, the beautiful and sandy privately owned Blue Flag beach is a regular haunt for supermodels and rockers.

Kate Moss is a fan and Keith Richards has been known to strum a tune or two from his beach hut haven in the Witterings. The cool kids in town go down to ride the waves, food lovers enjoy the local seafood delicacies and nature lovers make the most of the areas official Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Families come together over cucumber sandwiches and ice creams, picnicing on the sandy beaches of Bracklesham Bay and couples enjoy romantic strolls along the coastline, stopping off to indulge in some fresh local fish ‘n' chips or Selsey crab. The walks around East Head's wild and unspoilt grassy sand dunes, a Site of Special Scientific Interest are truly spectacular. A must do walk is around the tranquil Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve, home to all kinds of creatures including kestrels, barn owls and oystercatchers, weasels and voles, and butterflies and dragonflies in the summer.

For another way to take to the water, the spectacular Chichester Harbour, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is busy with dinghies, sleek yachts and gleaming motorboats. There are also plenty of harbour side activities including fly-fishing for sea bass.

If you are more active and are in need of an adrenaline rush how about hitting the surf? You can choose from kite, wind and plain old surfing, as well as the latest wave catching craze, stand-up paddle surfing. Popular in the 1960's with the beach boys of Hawaii, paddle surfing has become popular again with the likes of Jennifer Anniston, Ben Afleck and world champion surfers such as Archie Kalepa and Laird Hamilton. Based at West Wittering, specialist watersports operator X-train offers group and private coaching and the whole family can join in as they offer classes for little ones as young as five.

With so much on offer and a wealth of accommodation available there is simply no reason not to holiday at home this year. In land there are plenty of restaurants and bars, beautiful local villages, scenic countryside and exciting shops to explore - all making for a fully rounded break with something for everyone. Chichester is also known for its excellent events and this summer there are literally hundreds of exciting events and activities being hosted from sports cards and polo to culture and art, as well as so much more.

For information about the beach front, accommodation and events in the district please visit www.visitchichester.org