The beach at Shoreham By Sea could be a contender for a new fave and I’ll tell you for why. Now if you didn’t say that in the voice of Brynn from Gavin and Stacey, I’m not sure we’re quite on the same page. Who else LOVES Gavin and Stacey? The last episode was the happy ending that everyone was hoping for – although I’m gutted it was the last ever episode. It’s just one of those feel good programmes that won’t fail to put a smile on your face. If you haven’t seen the finale I’d definitely recommend it! To make it even better, we watched it but then we binge watched the whole series from start to finish to relive it all and make it even more special!

Now back to Shoreham beach. I can’t think what made me choose to go there in the first place… oh yes I know – pop your seatbelts on and I’ll try not to make it too long-winded!!

If we are going to the beach we usually go to Goring (or Goring By Sea, which is its official title.) Goring is lovely, it’s on the south coast of England , just to the west of Worthing, a great proportion of it is dog friendly and there’s a cafe on the beach. It’s a mix of sand and pebbles when the tide is out and also when it’s low tide there’s quite a large expanse of sand for the dogs to run around on. For some unknown reason it always seems to take us longer than it should to get there though. I have quite a few things going on in family life at the moment, meaning that time on my days off work is quite precious and I need to try and manage my time well to squeeze in things that I need to do and things that I want to do. Therefore I was looking for a beach that I could get to slightly more quickly.

Having a few days away in Dorset last year made me realise how much I really needed that time out. It’s kind of put it into perspective that it’s not just nice to go out every now and again – whether to a beach, or to a National Trust venue, or to some gardens, I think it’s an essential part of our wellbeing – and shouldn’t just be treated as a treat or a luxury.

I know when life’s busy, it’s easy to put yourself right at the bottom of the to-do list, but I’m learning (slowly!) that little things can make a big difference. A walk by the sea. A cup of tea somewhere pretty. Catching up with a friend without clock-watching. Going to the gym or having a swim. Even a trip to a garden centre. Just getting some fresh air and doing something that isn’t work or washing or sorting everyone else out. Because when you give yourself a bit of time out:

• It helps you think more clearly.
• You breathe a bit deeper.
• You appreciate time spent just being you.
• So you get to feel more like you again.
• You remember there’s more to life than the daily juggle.
• It makes you forget about the bad stuff and people who try to bring you down.
• It’s great for anxiety as you just live life in the moment so that’s all you focus on and you can forget about your worries for a while.

And honestly, and now I can say this from experience, you come back better for it – for yourself and everyone around you. There’s a lot of meaning in that saying ‘You can’t pour from an empty cup.’ I think it took me a while to understand what that actually meant but it’s incredibly true!

Well we better get back to the subject in hand now hadn’t we – Shoreham!

Where is Shoreham By Sea?

Shoreham By Sea can be found on the south coast of England. It’s nestled between Brighton and Worthing and is in the county of West Sussex. The town itself sits along the River Adur, with a historic high street, pretty cottages, independent shops and a working harbour. Just beyond that, you’ll find a long, shingle beach which feels wonderfully peaceful compared to some of its busier neighbours. That’s why I like it!!

Is Shoreham By Sea dog friendly?

If you’re looking for a dog friendly beach on the south coast of England, then Shoreham ticks all the boxes. Dogs are allowed on the beach all year round and it’s not crowded, so perfect for a paddle and a play.

So far we’ve only explored one part of the beach, which is situated very close to Wide Water Lagoon. Next time we go I’d like to visit Shoreham beach as I’ve heard it has a lovely long boardwalk and is slightly flatter, whereas the beach we visit has steeper shelving. There are also more facilities at the other part of the beach, such as a cafe.

The Wide Water Lagoon car park is super close to the beach and there’s a designated dog waste bin, just between the car park and beach. The car park only costs £1 for a couple of hours.

You won’t need to worry about crossing any roads to get to the beach so it’s very safe and then it’s a quick trot across the shingle to get to the sea. The beach is fairly steeply shelved so it may not be easy for very old dogs – or humans – to manoeuvre but if you visit at low tide you’ll have a nice stretch of flat sand to enjoy. This beach is nice and quiet, perfect for if you’re looking for a quiet beach near to Brighton – we’ve only been a handful of times so I’m no expert but during the times we’ve been, there were only a couple of other people there – which I loved!

If you’re looking for a clean beach on the south coast it is a great recommendation – the sea water feels super clean, without loads of seaweed in the water, plus there was no litter around. There are also no great big pebbles amongst the shingle, it was relatively fine, which made it a beach that’s easy to walk on – unless you’re wearing Crocs – then you’ll end up carrying the weight of half the beach around with you as you walk 😁 Aren’t Crocs great!! I’m a convert – I was one of those people who said they’d never wear Crocs… then I bought some just for the garden. That turned into “just for the garden and dog walking.” Then “they’re great for the beach…” Well now I’ve got two pairs – one pair of mint green and a pair of pink milk that I’ve even worn shopping and I love them… looking to get some more soon and I’d totally recommend. For dog walking, gardening, beach and wherever else you want to wear them!! I’ve worn them on occasion when visiting my lovely Mum in her care home and you won’t believe the number of compliments I’ve had about my pink shoes!! Usually from the elderly residents…

What will you find near Shoreham beach?

Well for starters there’s a nature reserve – right near the car park! So if you are a bird watcher or nature lover don’t forget your camera. There’s a protected stretch of coastal habitat with rare shingle flora, making it ideal for peaceful walks and birdwatching.

It’s close enough to historic Shoreham Airport – officially Brighton City Airport, which is the oldest licensed airfield in the UK, with a beautiful Art Deco terminal building. When you’re enjoying the beach you’ll see plenty of aircraft flying overhead and no doubt the occupants are getting a pretty splendid view!

Shoreham has a relaxed, unspoilt feel, with a wide stretch of shingle and peaceful views out to sea.

What you need to know

If you’re thinking of heading to Shoreham-by-Sea beach, here’s a few handy things to know before you pack your beach bag.

• There’s a decent sized car park at Widewater Lagoon, pop BN43 5LS into your satnav. This is a stones throw from the beach. Take time to have a quick look at the lovely houses overlooking the lagoon – anyone else awaiting a lottery win? A popular car park where you’re also pretty much guaranteed a space is Shoreham Beach Green car park (BN43 5YJ) which is pay and display and also just a short stroll from the shingle.
• There are toilets next to the Widewater Lagoon car park and at Beach Green, close to the car park and children’s play area. It’s always handy to know the location of the loos if you’re planning a longer visit or heading there with kids!
• You won’t find a big seafront strip of restaurants like in Brighton, but that’s part of Shoreham’s charm. There was an ice cream kiosk close to where we were, although it was closed. You could always pop into the town centre for cafés, bakeries, and a brilliant little Saturday market.
• Shoreham beach is dog-friendly all year round, which makes it ideal if you’re visiting with four-legged friends. There aren’t any seasonal restrictions like you find on some bigger beaches, making it the perfect place for a sniff and a paddle.

Have you been to Shoreham By Sea? Let me know in the comments or tag me in your socials.