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East Head near West Wittering, is a small but significant sand and shingle spit at the entrance to Chichester Harbour. It is one of the last pieces of natural coastline in the county. It is an ideal place to walk, play and sunbathe or just admire the yachts which anchor off the northern end. It is a very important place for wildlife, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Protection Area (SPA), Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Ramsar site and Local Nature Reserve (LNR).
The historical development of the spit is of interest as documentation from old maps and charts show that the south-west facing coast is rapidly eroding and that the spit, originally also south-west facing, has rotated around the "Hinge" to have a west to north-west outer face.
Besides the natural forces of the weather, the situation has been artificially modified over the last 50 years by the establishment and later development of sea defence works along the adjacent coast. These works restricted the sediment supply reaching the spit and led to a major breach in 1963, when most of the low dunes were inundated by the sea. Following this, the Sussex River Authority re-created the line of dunes on a foundation of faggots and gabions and in the following years new ridges of sand built up to the west in front of the original line. This was facilitated by the use of techniques such as permeable windbreaks which enable natural processes to rebuild and extend the dune system. Since then the accretion of sand to the west of the 1963 line has resulted in the spit doubling in size.
Within the property are several distinct habitats - shingle, sandy foreshore, new and old dunes - each offering opportunities for scientific and educational study at many levels, particularly in the field of Geography.
Sand dunes are a nationally rare, fragile, yet dynamic habitat. Many specially adapted maritime plants such as the tough, rubbery leaved Sea Holly and Sea Bindweed grow through the sand, not forgetting Maram Grass which needs to be buried by shifting sands to enable it to grow. On the leeward side of the dunes is salt-marsh, home in winter to many migrant wildfowl such as Sanderling, Redshank and Godwits. Plants here include common and the rarer Lax-Flowered Sea Lavender and Glasswort, the ashes of which were once used in the glass making process.
The sandy beaches attract a huge number of visitors within the summer months and could be considered one of the best beaches in West Sussex, although safe bathing is limited. The northern tip of East Head provides one of the most sheltered and popular temporary anchorage points in the busy harbour and Solent, being heavily visited by the sailing community in the summer months.
Facilities
- Access on foot from West Wittering village or car park (not National Trust) at West Wittering beach, seasonal charges apply.
- Regular buses run from Chichester to West Wittering village.
- Lavatories and refreshments within car parking area.
- For further information and educational bookings call the Warden on 07799 072593.
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