Many people will be coming to Butlins this spring and summer, and we are often asked by visitors for things to do near Butlins Bognor Regis.
Here are our top picks of where to go in Bognor when you venture beyond the gates of Butlins.
The beach is pebbly, but when the tide’s out there is a nice expanse of sand for several hours, and some rock pools or mini pools by the groin ends.
The beach is pebbly, but when the tide’s out there is a nice expanse of sand for several hours, and some rock pools or mini pools by the groin ends.
Check the tide times for the best time of day to hit the beach.
Turn left (East) towards Middleton and Felpham, or right (West) towards the pier.
Along the prom there are a number of kiosks and small cafes, as well as a small children's fun fair near the pier from Easter onwards.
At Felpham there is a large café on the beach and the smaller Lobster Pot, which serves a good breakfast and nice lunches such as Ploughmans etc, with a few sun trap tables by the beach.
At Felpham there is a large café on the beach and the smaller Lobster Pot, which serves a good breakfast and nice lunches such as Ploughmans etc, with a few sun trap tables by the beach.
At this end the sandy bit is higher up the beach so you don’t need to wait till low tide, bring your bucket and spade!
There is also a nice little grassy play area on the way, Longbrook Playground, perfect for play and a picnic.
If you walk on further to the east, there are interesting patches of sea vegetation and a decent stout-shoed walk (babies in carriers!) takes you to the villages of Middleton and Elmer.
If you walk on further to the east, there are interesting patches of sea vegetation and a decent stout-shoed walk (babies in carriers!) takes you to the villages of Middleton and Elmer.
You can always get the bus (600) back if you don’t fancy trekking again.
Heading west, towards the pier, there is a wide promenade with various ice cream, souvenir and beach supply outlets, a bandstand with free children’s activities in the summer, fishing boats and the pier amusements.
Heading west, towards the pier, there is a wide promenade with various ice cream, souvenir and beach supply outlets, a bandstand with free children’s activities in the summer, fishing boats and the pier amusements.
Towards the pier you will find a large sand pit play area and playground, which is great for little ones.
A little train runs from the car park outside Butlins day entrance towards the pier.
A little train runs from the car park outside Butlins day entrance towards the pier.
On fine days there is a selection of small fairground rides and a big bouncy castle, plus crazy golf in Waterloo Square, just opposite the pier entrance.
Behind the mini golf are some pretty gardens, a bowling green and café.
A second mini land train takes you from the pier to our ‘local’, the Waverley pub.
A second mini land train takes you from the pier to our ‘local’, the Waverley pub.
Set on a corner plot it has outside seating on two sides and is great for lunch, dinner or just a pint.
From here you can walk along in front or behind the beach huts to the beach café, and eventually to a small boat yard.
From here you can walk along in front or behind the beach huts to the beach café, and eventually to a small boat yard.
Or running parallel are the well kept Marine Park Gardens (more mini golf in the summer).
Both routes will bring you to West Park, which has a good children’s playground, zip slide and a café which is open year round.
Or bring a picnic and a football and sit on the grass.
Back at the other end of town, turn right and right again as you come out of Butlins day exit and at the top of the road you will find the entrance to Hotham Park.
Back at the other end of town, turn right and right again as you come out of Butlins day exit and at the top of the road you will find the entrance to Hotham Park.
This beautiful park has everything: trees, shrubs, open spaces, squirrels, duck pond, wildlife area, boating lake, lovely café (open all year), train ride, children’s playgrounds, and regular events throughout the summer.
Town itself is a few minutes’ walk away with two main shopping streets forming an inverted T shape.
Town itself is a few minutes’ walk away with two main shopping streets forming an inverted T shape.
The vertical street is pedestrianised, with small chain stores, cafes and some charity shops.
Slightly north of this shopping street, at the crossroads, is our wonderful Picturedome cinema where you can still take the whole family to see the latest film for less than £20, with snacks!
Slightly north of this shopping street, at the crossroads, is our wonderful Picturedome cinema where you can still take the whole family to see the latest film for less than £20, with snacks!
A proper, old-style cinema, well worth supporting, and there’s always a child-friendly film on.
Back at the bottom of town, the horizontal high street runs parallel with the sea.
Back at the bottom of town, the horizontal high street runs parallel with the sea.
From the High Street,a delightful nineteenth century arcade takes you down to Place St Maur where there is a splash park (opening summer 2022).
The Regis Centre has regular productions of all kinds, so worth checking their website.
On the sea front here is The Regis, a Brewer’s Fayre pub with a small soft play area for the kids.
So that’s our potted guide to Bognor Regis, officially the sunniest place in Britain (not that you'd know from my grey day photos!)
So that’s our potted guide to Bognor Regis, officially the sunniest place in Britain (not that you'd know from my grey day photos!)
If you are coming this way on holiday, staying at Butlins, or just passing by, pop in for a look round.
The charms of nearby Chichester and Brighton are more obvious, but for good old-fashioned seaside fun, Bognor Regis does just fine.
