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seaside town and civil parish in West Sussex, England
Europe > Britain and Ireland > United Kingdom > England > South East England > West Sussex > Selsey

Selsey is a small town in West Sussex. The name means "seal island" - although it's been part of the mainland since prehistory, the marshes to the north and west restrict access. These flood at high tide and used to inundate the lane to town, so a ferry plied across the channel. The roadway B2145 now crosses at all tides. The town stands on a higher spit of land called the Manhood Peninsula, and its tip is Selsey Bill.

Get in

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Map
Map of Selsey

By car

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The B2145 road is the only road into Selsey. The B2145 starts in Chichester and continues through the villages of Hunston and Sidlesham. The A286 then B2201 road to Siddlesham are an alternative option from the west and central Chichester. Direct access from Bognor Regis to Selsey is not possible with a need to the B2145 either at the A27 road Chichester By pass or to use the B2166 road to connect at North Mundham. Access from Bracklesham Bay and the western Manhood peninsular is also difficult with narrow bendy lanes unless returning closer to Chichester. There is a petrol station at the Asda superstore on the approach to Selsey.

By coach

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Stagecoach Gold Bus 51 service from Chichester serves Selsey starting in early morning until late at night with up to four buses an hour and a journey time of about 45 minutes.

By bicycle

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  • Regional Cycle Route 88. Ends 2.5 mi (4.0 km) N of Selsey (just N of Norton). The route runs Selsey to West Dean via Chichester (updated Jun 2017)
  • National Cycle Route 2. Dover to St Austell passes 8 mi (13 km) N of Selsey. Still under construction, there is an unfinished section between South Mundham (N of Selsey) and Bognor Regis. National Cycle Route 2 (Q6972051) on Wikidata National Cycle Route 2 on Wikipedia (updated Jun 2017)
  • The Bill Way cycle route[dead link] from Chichester (not suitable for road bikes) reaches Pagham Harbour on the B2145 some distance short of Selsey. Cycling from the western Manhood to connect to the Bill Way route is also possible with additional cycle routes planned.

Get around

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Sleepy Lagoon

This is one of the least likely spots on earth to have inspired the theme tune for Desert Island Discs, the BBC radio programme broadcast weekly since 1942. In 1930 the composer Eric Coates was on holiday here and was struck by the evening view, looking east from Church Norton beach towards Bognor Regis. The bay was very still and took on a deep Pacific blue, the whitewashed resort glowed pink in the sunset. Waves hissed quietly upon the steep pebble beach. Coates scribbled down the tune and wrote it fully back in London, a wistful slow waltz for full orchestra. "By the Sleepy Lagoon" has been the programme's theme tune since inception and became a popular light classic.

Although Selsey is a small town walking from one place to another may involve 1 km or more of residential streets. If using taxis it is probably best to ensure you are using local taxi/minicab firms.

  • 1 RSPB Pagham Harbour Visitor Center (on the B2145 at Siddlesham and the 51 bus route), ☏ +44 1243 641508, . Visitor Centre and access point for Pagham Harbour and Medmerry conservation projects (updated Jun 2017)
  • 2 Selsey Bill (follow signs to Selsey Bill and proceed to southern end of Grafton Road). A viewpoint and playing field look over the sandy spit that is Selsey Bill Selsey Bill (Q3025853) on Wikidata Selsey Bill on Wikipedia (updated Jun 2017)
  • 1 West Sands Fun Fair, West Sands Caravan Park PO20 9BH. Amusement part with adult and children rides and other family attractions (updated Jun 2017)
  • 2 Manor Green Park (access from behind the Selsey Centre on Manor Road or opposite the police station on the B2145). Green Pennant open space park with 'Trim Trail', sensory garden and open space. (updated Jun 2017)
  • 3 Boat Launching, East Beach Car Park (from B2145 follow signs to 'Boat Launching' then go to end of East Beach car park). Public launching slipway for non-jetski craft; caution advised using vehicles with poor traction. (updated Jun 2017)
  • 4 Emma Jayne Fishing Trips, Albion Rd, Selsey PO20 0DJ, ☏ +44 7779 654022 (mobile). Book in advance. 4 hr £40/person. (updated Jun 2017)
  • 5 Scuba Diving, 9 Orchard Parade, East Beach Selsey PO20 0NS, ☏ +44 1243 601000, . M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa 9AM-6PM, Su 10AM-5PM. Range of courses including "Try Scuba" introduction session. (updated Jun 2017)
  • 6 Selsey Heritage Trail. Suggested walks round Selsey's Blue Plaque heritiage sites. (updated Jun 2017)

The main shopping area for Selsey is on the high street. There is a variety of local services such as banks pharmacies, convenience stores and independent shops. There is an Asda store at the entrance to the town.

  • 1 Asda (Supermarket), Unit 1, Wave Approach, Selsey PO20 0FR, ☏ +44 1243 940261. M-Sa 7AM-11PM, Su 10AM-4PM. Petrol station (different hours) (updated Jun 2017)
  • 2 Co-op Food (Supermarket), 123-125 High St, Selsey, PO20 0QB, ☏ +44 1243 602110. Daily 7AM-11PM. (updated Jun 2017)
  • 1 Viento De Levante (Mediterranean restaurant & tapas bar), 75 High St, Selsey PO20 0QL (on the B2145 nearby the fire station), ☏ +44 1243 603906, . (updated Jun 2017)
  • 2 Riviera (Restaurant), 4 New Parade, High St, Selsey PO20 0QA, ☏ +44 1243 603427. Daily from 8AM, closing time seasonal. (updated Jun 2017)
  • 3 Den's Fish Bar (Fish & Chips Take-away), 163 High St, Selsey PO20 0PZ, ☏ +44 1243 605467. M Tu noon-2PM & 5-8PM, W Th noon-2PM & 5PM-8:30PM, F noon-2PM & 5-9:30PM, Sa noon-2PM & 5-9PM. (updated Jun 2017)

Drink

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Sleep

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Hotel and B&B options in Selsey are quite limited. Most tourists will be using camping, caravanning and holiday village accommodation in the West Sands area.

Connect

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As of Feb 2023, Selsey and its approach roads have 4G from O2 and Vodafone, but next-to-no signal from EE or Three. 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

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This city travel guide to Selsey is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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