National Trust - East Head

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National Trust - East Head

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East Head is a sand and shingle spit located near West Wittering at the mouth of Chichester Harbour and is owned and managed by the National Trust.

East Head is an exciting, ever changing sand dune system in Chichester Harbour.

29/10/2026

Nature’s own Halloween decorations. 🕷️ 🦀💀

Look closely among the dunes at East Head and you’ll find some incredibly spooky architecture. From the intricate webs of Labyrinth spiders hidden in the brambles, to the exoskeletal crab shells caught in the algae mat webbing, East Head is full of eerie wonder this October. Come for a chilly coastal walk and see what natural mysteries you can spot.

By keeping your dogs on leads, or alongside you, will help the wildlife of East Head thrive.
It gives the winter migratory birds much needed space to feed and rest. Please take your litter/dog bags.
Thank you from the ranger team 🙏

27/10/2026

As part of Great Coastal Birdwatch rangers Caroline and Serena, from National Trust and Bird Aware Solent, will be at East Head today with binoculars and a scope. 🔭

Come and say hello, watch some birds and hear how you can make the most of your visit today.

25/10/2026

Notice anything new on your beach walk today?

Our ranger team has just put out the seasonal signs for the East Head Winter Walk. 🚩

Whether you’re a familiar local or visiting the Spit for the very first time, we invite you to try this route on your next circular stroll.

By taking the paths through the sand dunes instead of the open shoreline, you’re doing something incredibly special. You’re giving our international winter guests—including Curlews, Dunlins, and Brent geese—the quiet space they desperately need to feed and conserve energy after their long migrations.

As an added bonus, the dunes act as nature's windbreak, giving you and your pups some lovely protection from the stormy sea breeze. 🐾

Keep an eye out at high tide, too—the walk offers a brilliant view of the high-tide roosts as they gather to rest.

Thank you for walking alongside nature this winter. 🌊✨

Don't forget that if you are driving down, parking at West Wittering car park can be pre-booked before you travel.

23/10/2026

Despite the heavy rains Chichester Harbour Volunteers were not detered! We had a productive morning working on the dune slack area of East Head thinning some of the Willow.

Thank you Chichester Harbour Conservancy for your time and thank you West Wittering Beach for access and organising the green waste skips. Partnership working to help nature thrive.

24/08/2026

Help keep East Head a clean beach by tidying up after your dog and taking all your litter with you.

15/07/2026

The continuing dry weather is creating cinditions for extreme fire risk. So there is not a repeat of 2014 please no fires or BBQs at East Head and West Wittering, picnics only. Thank you for your understanding.

12/07/2026

East Head's Salt Marsh is in full bloom. The plants that live here are called halophytes. They are highly specialised species that have adapted to thrive in salty water, with limited oxygen and deep root systems. Here we have two species you may have spotted on your visit - Common Sea-Lavender (Limonium vulgare) being enjoyed by a White- tailed Bumble bee (Bombus lucorum) and Lax-Flowered Sea-Lavender (Limonium humile), which is a nationally rare species.

10/07/2026

There is a Extreme Fire Risk warning this weekend, please do kot have a BBQ or fire at East Head or anywhere ariund West Wittering. Thank ikunfor your cooperation.

Address

East Head
West Wittering
PO208AJ

Telephone

01243 814730

Website

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/east-head

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