We love a trip to Lancing Beach. Just before the May half term, the kids had an inset day so we headed to the popular destination to enjoy the seaside before it gets too busy. Lancing in West Sussex is a great destination for a day out as a family with kids as there is a lot to do. The beach itself is a mix of pebble and sand offering something for everyone. If you are thinking of planning a visit to this West Sussex beach and Lancing seafront then this post will help you.
Where is Lancing Beach?
Lancing Beach is a beautiful beach located in the town of Lancing, West Sussex. It is situated between Shoreham and Worthing, making it easily accessible from both towns. The beach is approximately 7 miles from Worthing and 5 miles from Shoreham. Making it a popular spot. The postcode for Lancing Beach is BN15 8AD.
Parking at Lancing Seafront
If you are travelling by car, there is a large car park located right next to the beach called Lancing Beach Green. Which is really helpful when visiting with small children and needing to lug a lot of things with you. Parking here means that you only have a very short walk past the play area and skate park to the beach itself. Although it is a good size with parking for 200 cars. The price makes it very attractive at only £4 for a whole day of £2 for two hours. You can pay by card, cash and Ringo. The postcode for the car park is BN15 8RA.
How to get to Lancing Beach by Bus
Alternatively, if you are travelling by bus, there are several bus routes that stop near the beach in Lancing West Sussex. The number 700 bus runs between Brighton and Portsmouth, stopping at Lancing Beach along the way. The number 2 bus also stops near the beach, running between Shoreham and Steyning. You can find out more about the local bus timetable here.
Top Tip – If visiting Lancing seafront the high season then make sure you head there early to get parked and find a good spot. The boys particularly like to sit near the rocks so they can climb on them and it offers shelter from the wind.
Facilities at Lancing Beach
I think one of the reasons that Lancing Beach is so popular with families is the fact that it has everything you need when visiting a beach with kids. Making it an extremely convenient and stress-free (as much as possible) day out. Please note there are no lifeguards on duty at any time on Lancing beach.
Toilets
There are public toilets available just behind the Perch restaurant across the green. They look like little houses from the outside and also have baby changing. When we visited I was impressed with the cleanliness. They also have facilities for disabled visitors.
Café
You are spoilt a little for amenities as there is both a cafe and a restaurant located right on the beach. The café offers a range of hot and cold drinks and snacks. As well as ice creams which I think they spotted immediately. Prices are reasonable considering they have a monopoly. Expect to pay £4.70 for a burger, and chips £3 and £2.40 for a coffee. Vegetarian options are available.
Perch Restaurant
If you are looking for something more then there is the Perch Restaurant which is right on the beachfront restaurant serving a range of delicious meals. The menu includes fresh seafood, pasta dishes, and vegetarian options, all made with locally sourced ingredients. However, we when visited we opted to get take-out pizzas and eat them on the beach. Perfect when you have a group of you. There is a special takeaway menu and you can place your order at the hatch between 12 pm and 8 pm. They also serve cold drinks both soft and alcoholic. Expect to pay around £9.50 for a margarita and £11 for most of the other options. As you can see ours went down a storm
Things to do at Lancing Beach
As well as all the usual beachy activities there is much more to do at Lancing Beach. Of course, the boys love hunting for hidden treasures such as shells, crabs, and other marine life. Especially during low tide which often reveals a shandy shoreline. But there is also:
Children’s Play Area
In between the car park and the cafe, there is a dedicated children’s play area right on Lancing seafront. Which is perfect for keeping the little ones entertained. It includes swings, slides, and climbing frames, as well as a sandpit for building sandcastles. I would suggest it is ideal for children aged 8 and under. As Charlie was much more interested in what was next door…
Skate Park
A fantastic skate park! The park features a range of ramps, rails, and obstacles, making it suitable for skaters of all levels. There are also regular events and competitions held at the park throughout the year. The older kids really enjoyed spending time here. It is useful to have both close together if you have a big age gap like we do. Although saying that the ramps are also suitable for younger ones. Harry enjoyed taking his scooter around the smaller ramps.
Top Tip – Take a bat and ball, rounders or cricket set with you. The grass area between the car park and the beach is perfect for ball games. Also, a good place to picnic if the beach is really busy.
Beach Huts
A little further along there are beach hunts which you can rent, which offer a great way to enjoy the beach in comfort. The beach huts come in a range of sizes and can be rented by the day or by the week. They are equipped with chairs, tables, and sun umbrellas, and some even have mini kitchens, making them perfect for a day out with the family. You can find out more on the Lancing Parish website.
Kite Surfing and Windsurfing
Lancing Beach is a popular destination for windsurfers and kite-surfers. The beach is wide and open, providing plenty of space for these exciting water sports. The strong winds and waves make it an ideal location for experienced surfers. You can also get lessons more information can be found on the Lancing Kitesurf School website.
Top Tip – Don’t forget your normal kite if you want to make the most of Lancing seafront.
Sailing Club
For sailing enthusiasts, Lancing Beach is home to the Lancing Sailing Club. The club offers a range of activities and events throughout the year, including regattas, races, and social events. Membership is open to all, and visitors are welcome to come and watch the action from the shore. You can find out more information on the Lancing Sailing Club website.
Top Tip – it is a good idea to check the tide times before visiting Lancing seafront. At high tide, Lancing beach can be quite narrow, so it’s best to visit at low tide when there is more space to spread out and enjoy the beach. The tide can also come in quite quickly especially next to the rocks where many people sit.
Things to do close by
There is quite a lot to do close by Lancing in West Sussex:
- Shoreham-by-Sea is a small town with a couple of pubs and a farmers market on a Saturday morning. There is also Shoreham Beach which is worth a visit.
- The UK’s newest national park, the South Downs National Park is also not far, visitors are treated to some of the most beautiful natural scenery. Making it a great place to explore. You can find out more information about the South Downs National Park on their website.
- Just a little further west is the beachside town of Littlehampton. It has its own pleasure park and is a great place to go crabbing.
Have you been to Lancing in West Sussex? Or do you know any another great West Sussex Beach? I would love to hear about your experiences in the comments below.
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