English beach village so beautiful locals want to keep secret – right next to famous seaside resort
AN English village is often overlooked by a famous seaside resort nearby – and locals want to keep it that way.
Felpham is right next to Bognor Regis.
But Felpham has its own place in history, being where the poet William Blake lived.
He once called Felpham the “sweetest spot on earth” as well as saying: “Away to sweet Felpham, for heaven is there.”
Despite being a small village, it has a long beach with both sand and shingle.
People have raved about the “lovely” beach, which has a long promenade next to it as well.
One wrote: “Great time just sitting watching the boats, brings back memories of when we used to go crabbing when the kids were a lot smaller.”
Another called it their “favourite local beach”.
The Boat House cafe on the beach is also popular with visitors as well as dog-walkers in the winter months.
But Felpham is lesser-visited and locals might want to keep it that way.
The Felpham website states: “Felpham is a secret we like to keep to ourselves.
“Why would we want to share our beautiful beaches and parks, our great pubs, restaurants, hotels and shops and so much more?”
However, they added: “I guess we have to let others know how lucky we are. Just make sure you don’t spoil it please.”
While there are no celebs who call it home, there are a number of famous faces who have backed the village.
Bill Nighy recently visited to support a local campaign to keep Felpham’s Post Office open.
And Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson is a patron of The Blake Cottage Trust, which protects William Blake’s home.
Despite being a small village, there are a number of pubs, restaurants and hotels to choose from.
There is The George Inn, The Thatched House and The Fox Inn, all within walking distance of each other.
Otherwise the beachfront The Lobster Pot has both sea views and seafood on offer.
And of course, a seaside village is nothing without a fish and chip shops, with the Felpham Chippy highly rated.
You won’t find any major hotel chains in Felpham – unless you head over to Bognor Regis – although there are B&Bs as well as the seafront Beachcroft Hotel, with rooms and beach huts to stay in.
Another seaside village that is a local-kept secret
Caroline Iggulden visited the nearby Goring-by-Sea.
“Staring out at the quiet beach, a local told me: ‘It is so quiet here, even in the summer – but we want to keep it our secret’.
“It is far less busy than the better-known Sussex coastal towns of Littlehampton, Worthing and Bognor Regis,
“Unlike many traditional UK seasides, you will not find arcades or roller coaster-filled piers here.
“Instead, Goring-by-Sea has everything you’d want for a fun seaside getaway, but without the packed beaches and fully booked restaurants.
“This includes the bustling Sea Lane Cafe, where locals are indulging in lazy mornings or Worthing Watersports for your paddleboards and kayaks.”
Still want to go to Bognor Regis? Here is the new £15million attraction opening at the town’s Butlin’s.
And one mum has been visiting Butlin’s for 40 years – here’s how she thinks it has changed.