The History of Bognor Regis: A Local Guide to the Stories That Shaped Our Seaside Town
Bognor Regis. A town that today thrives as a seaside escape framed by the pebbled beaches of the South Coast and the gentle rise of the South Downs. Visitors flock to enjoy the long promenade, family-friendly atmosphere, and the thrills of Butlin’s. But beneath the familiar spires and seaside arcades lies a remarkable story – one of ambition, seaside transformation and royal patronage.
Let’s step back in time and honour the “H” in our alphabet series by uncovering some of the history that makes Bognor Regis truly special.
From shore to resort
The name “Bognor” appears as far back as the late 7th century as Bucgan ora – meaning ‘Bucge’s shore’ – a rare surviving Anglo-Saxon place name in Sussex.
For centuries it was a modest fishing and farming hamlet, where smugglers too plied the hidden coves and inlets.
Local Histories
It was in the late 1700s that Sir Richard Hotham changed the game. A self-made man who turned his vision to this quiet coastline, he invested in building houses and leisure facilities, including what is now Hotham Park House (1792). His goal? To bring a refined seaside resort to the area, to rival Brighton. Slowly, the hamlet grew into something more.
Tracks, trains and holiday tides
By the mid-19th century the arrival of the railway (1864) triggered a rapid expansion. Boarding houses, promenades and seaside amusements followed, and a new recurring rhythm of leisure took hold.
In the 20th century the iconic holiday camp brand Butlin’s arrived – its amusements on the seafront in the 1930s, and the full camp opening in 1960. Through amusement arcades, funfairs and holiday excitement, Bognor Regis earned its place in the nation’s leisure memory.
Royal ties and the ‘Regis’ suffix
In 1929, King George V came to Bognor to recuperate from illness. The town’s good fortune attracted royal attention and so the suffix “Regis” (of the King) was granted by royal consent. Legend has it the king, when asked about the honour, uttered the phrase “Bugger Bognor!”, though the story is widely considered apocryphal.
Nevertheless, the royal link remains part of the town’s heritage and charm.
Heritage today
Today, as you walk the promenade or enjoy the greenery of Hotham Park, you are treading on layers of history. That fishing settlement. That visionary resort-maker. That railway boom. That holiday camp culture. They all combine to give Bognor Regis its character. The local heritage society continues to celebrate these layers through six heritage trails around the town.
So next time you wander past the arcades or dip into the sea, pause to imagine the Bognor of centuries past – from smugglers on hidden beaches to 18th-century grand designs, from steam trains pulling up to the station to families arriving for a mid-summer escape.
