Walking your dog is not only essential for your four-legged friend but great for your physical and mental health too and Bognor Regis has a great variety of places to enjoy a daily walk.
Dogs are welcome on most of the three miles of beach, where you can enjoy fresh, salty air and freedom to roam, but there are also super parks and green spaces for safe, interesting walks too.
Particularly along the seafront, dog-friendly businesses are happy to offer water bowls for dogs and with its wide range of hospitality venues, from ice cream parlours to fish and chip shops, snack bars, pubs and cafes, there’s lots of choice for hungry and thirsty walkers.
Beaches
We do like to be beside the seaside and the whole promenade, from Aldwick to Limmer Lane in Felpham is available for walkers, although dogs should be kept on a lead when being taken along the seafront next to restricted beach areas.
During the summer months, between May 1 and September 30, when everyone wants to be out and about, some beach areas are restricted.
These are: in central Bognor Regis, from Park Road in the west to Gloucester Road, near Butlins; in Felpham, between Canning Road and Felpham Sailing Club.
Pagham beach is also flat and accessible with some car parking in the village, off Beach Road.
Apart from the fabulous views of sunshine on sparkling water, walking on the prom has the big advantage of being within easy reach of a number of car parks and all the opportunities for refreshments, toilet breaks – and benches to sit and watch the world go by.
Central parks
If your dog prefers grass to shingle and sand, a number of parks in the town offer good facilities.
Close to the Aldwick end of the seafront is West Park with its specific dog-friendly area and small car park. If you have children with you, there is also a playground, café and toilets.
One of the best green spaces for exercise with dogs plus entertainment is Hotham Park, which is right in the town centre, accessed from High Street, just a few minutes from the beach, near Butlins, with convenient car parks at London Road or Upper Bognor Road. Other family attractions in the park include a miniature railway, adventure golf course and café.
West Park, Bognor Regis
Other large parks
Covering an area of about 13 acres, King George V Playing Fields in Felpham – accessed off Felpham Way where it joins Middleton Road – is great for walks, even when the weather is poor, because it has a 1160-metre surfaced path around the perimeter of the popular sport pitches.
Another good-sized flat grassed area is Avisford Park, Rose Green, on the north-west side of Bognor Regis in a popular residential area. Both this green space and nearby Queens Field at West Meads have small car parks and toilets.
Bersted Brooks
Thanks to the A259 bypass road to the north of Bognor Regis, the wild area of Bersted Brooks has been created off Rowan Way, North Bersted, next to Rowan Park caravan site. Here, dogs have three large linked fields where they can enjoy running around in off-lead areas or splash in a slow-running stream plus squelchy mud and reeds. This secret nature reserve area, with some surfaced paths, has the benefits of easy foot and car access with free parking.
Dog-friendly stays
If you, and your dog, really love Bognor Regis as much as we do and you are travelling some distance to enjoy our beaches and parks, a number of hotels in the town offer special dog-friendly accommodation.
