Date visited: May 2021

Coronavirus status: Step 3 - Most businesses in all but the highest risk sectors reopen

Dog Friendly Camping and Caravanning in THE WITTERINGS

SCOTT’S FARM CAMPING SITE, Chichester

Scott’s Farm is easily accessible from the main A27. Located a short walk from the beach and the town it makes for a perfect base to explore The Witterings, Bognor, Selsey and  Chichester.  Scott’s Farm is a back-to-basics campsite where you’re able to choose your pitches. They don’t take bookings, so it is on a first come first served basis.  It’s our second visit here and we’ve had no problem getting a pitch, although both times have been outside of school holidays. There are no fully serviced pitches, but there are two large fields offering electric hook up.  There are large shower blocks, toilets, a small shop, dog walking area and a dog shower onsite.  The pitches are large with plenty of room for the caravan, awning and car. We loved the 5pm check-out - it makes the holiday so much more relaxed and we got an extra day on the beach! 

GOOD TO KNOW: Your pitch will be on grass, there are no gravel pitches so expect some muddy areas, especially during wet weather. And, if they mow the grass on a wet day, then you’ll be walking grass cuttings everywhere!

Scotts Farm Camping Site, Cakeham Road, East Wittering, West Wittering, Chichester PO20 8ED

The Dog Friendly bits!

• Number of Dogs allowed : Any ✅
• Charge for Dogs : No ✅
• Doggie Gift Bag : No
• Poo bags provided : No
• Dog Bins available : No, but refuse areas are easily accessible
• Area for walking Dogs on site : Yes - large fenced walking field with hundreds of bunnies!  ✅
• Dog Wash facilities : Yes ✅
• Onsite Dog Friendly Bar/Restaurant : N/A - the town is a few minutes walk away with loads of dog friendly places to eat

Dogtor Livingsbone rating : PAWSOME

Dog Friendly places to eat nearby

Drift-In, East Wittering

Wow! What a find! Situated in the heart of the lovely village of East Wittering, this chilled and relaxed cafe is located within a surf shop selling some really nice clothing - t-shirts, shorts, etc.  The seating is spread out around the shop and the extensive menu offers everything from all day breakfasts, sandwiches, salads to pancakes, wraps and quesadillas.  We went for the delicious All Day Breakfast Pancake and the Notorious B.A.B - buttered toast with avocado, bacon, banana and maple syrup - yum, yum!  The coffee was brewed to perfection and the service from the new member of staff was faultless. They are very dog friendly, although no dog bowls are provided indoors to prevent dogs slobbering all their water all over the floor - understandable, but annoying when it’s pouring with rain and you have to put your jacket back on to take the dog outside for a drink!

Drift-In Surf Cafe, 11-13 Shore Road, East Wittering, Chichester PO20 8DY

Drifters, East Wittering

This was the second time we’ve visited Drifters and could see just how much work they’ve done since our last visit pre-Covid. The outside area is much improved with a covered area, artificial plants and far nicer furniture.  We arrived fairly early in the evening and having been given a small table for two in the middle of the restaurant, moved us to a larger table in the corner the second it became available. The menu wouldn’t be to everyone’s taste and we struggled to find something on it we wanted - in the end we settled on the halloumi fries followed by seabass and the minute steak - all were absolutely delicious and perfectly cooked.  Despite it being May, it was a cold, wet, windy evening, the restaurant was cold and I needed the blanket they provided to keep me warm..   

Drifters, 59-61 Shore Road, East Wittering, Chichester PO20 8DY

The Boulevard, East Wittering

Located just a few metres from the beach, we found this to be the perfect spot to stop for a full English breakfast before embarking on a long walk along the beach. The Boulevard’s outside area is fully covered, totally dog friendly and a great place to sit and watch the world go by.   

The Boulevard, 40-42 Shore Road, East Wittering, Chichester PO20 8DZ

Billy’s on the Beach, Bracklesham Bay

Billy’s literally is situated right on the beach at Bracklesham Bay with a large car park next door.  Billy’s has a small terrace with sea views and, from the outside, gives the impression of being a cheap and cheerful beach cafe - we couldn’t have been more disappointed.  We wandered in, having sanitised and scanned our NHS app, to be sat at a table, right in the middle of the cafe, and told that we had one hour as the table was booked.  Looking forward to coffee and cake or perhaps a toasted sandwich, we were presented with a bistro style menu offering starters from £5.40, sandwiches from £7.95 and a ploughmans for £10.95 along with more fancy - and more expensive - bistro fayre.  Apparently, Billy’s becomes an intimate evening bistro Thursday through to Saturday - probably, works well but, during the day, I feel they would have been better to stick to what they appear - a cheap and cheerful beach cafe.  We weren’t going to be pressured into spending the best part of £30-40 on two sandwiches with coffee and have to rush it down all within the hour - so decided to leave.

Billy's on the Beach, Bracklesham Lane, Bracklesham Bay, Chichester, West Sussex PO20 8JH

Dog Friendly Places to eat nearby in THE WITTERINGS

A Google search of “Dog Friendly Places to Eat near me” produced the following:

• The Lamb Inn
• The Landing
• The Old House at Home
• The Pond Barn
• The Shore Inn
• The Thatched Tavern

Pet Shops, THE WITTERINGS

A Google search of “Pet Shops near me” produced the following:

• Bracklesham Pet Supplies
• K&G’s Farm Shop & Pet Supplies
• Purple Paw Store
• Wittering Pet Store

Wittering Pet Store, East Wittering

We just had to walk into this very welcoming pet shop.  With water bowls outside full of fresh water for the dog and an enticing window display, it did not disappoint. The store specialises in natural pet treats and quality pet products.  They literally sold everything I have never been able to find in my local pet shops and have had to order online - everything from doggie life jackets and dog drying coats to the Nature’s Menu Superfood Crunch - which I have hunted for throughout our travels!  Their range of treats is expansive and the furry one chose a peanut butter one for her afternoon treat! 

Wittering Pet Store, 7 Shore Road, East Wittering, Chichester PO20 8DY

Veterinary Surgeries, THE WITTERINGS

A Google search of ‘Veterinary Surgeries near me’ produced the following:

• AlphaPet Veterinary Clinic

Dog Friendly Beaches, THE WITTERINGS

A Google search of ‘dog friendly beaches near me’ produced the following:

• Bracklesham Bay
• East Wittering beach
• Selsey beach
• West Wittering beach

Check local signage as dogs may be banned from certain areas of the beach from the end of May until September

Dog Walks, THE WITTERINGS

A series of downloadable guides for short and longer dog walks and cycle routes in the area, with easy to follow directions, information for dog owners and destination walks that include pubs and restaurants for those well-earned refreshments can be found HERE

Cycle Routes, THE WITTERINGS

The Salterns Way is a 12 mile cycle route from the centre of Chichester to the sand dunes of East Head. Some of the route is on dedicated cycle paths and other sections follow country lanes and some roads. Full details are available from The Chichester Harbour Conservancy website

For cycle routes in The Witterings and the surrounding area visit The National Cycle Network website HERE

Dog Friendly THE WITTERINGS, Nr Chichester, West Sussex | May 2021

PLEASE NOTE: When the canine calls, she’s there to test the meaning of dog friendly to the limit. Everything contained in this article is the view of the author and her furry canine friend.  The canine’s loyal master always pays their way and does not imply any recommendation. Although every effort has been made to ensure that all the information is correct, we can only apologise for any errors or omissions - we’re only human after all -well, one of us is!