Major city · United Kingdom
Selsey
Go for one night, or as a half-day from Chichester: a quiet Manhood Peninsula seaside town with a Bill viewpoint, not a resort to base a week in.
Selsey sits at the tip of the Manhood Peninsula in West Sussex, about 8 miles south of Chichester. It is a small, low-key seaside town with a pebble beach, a caravan-and-camping scene at West Sands, and a handful of pubs and cafés. Most travellers see it as a half-day or one-night stop, or as a base for Pagham Harbour birdwatching and the Chichester area. There is no railway station; the B2145 is the only road in.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, many seasonal businesses shut)
- Airports
- LGW · SOU
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Selsey999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Selsey, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetySelsey is a low-crime small town and safe for tourists.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police, fire, ambulance · 111 NHS non-urgent · 101 police non-urgent
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLGW London Gatwick (About 1 h 15 min by car via the A27; train to Chichester then bus 51).
- Getting aroundSelsey is small but spread out: walking between the High Street, East Beach and West Sands can be 1 km (0.6 mi) or more of residential streets.Selsey is small but spread out: walking between the High Street, East Beach and West Sands can be 0.6 mi (1 km) or more of residential streets.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealPub main course£12–20 (≈ US$16–30)
- BeerPint of beer£4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week£8–15 (≈ US$11–20)
- Budget bedHostel or caravan bed, a night, per person£25 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedB&B or pub double room, a night, per room£100 (≈ US$140)
- High-end bedB&B or pub double room, a night, per room£160 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £45 (≈ US$60) · Mid £80 (≈ US$110) · High £140 (≈ US$190)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LGW London Gatwick (About 1 h 15 min by car via the A27; train to Chichester then bus 51) · SOU Southampton (About 1 h 15 min by car; train to Chichester then bus 51)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jul
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Aug
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Oct
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jul (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Selsey: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
12 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
9 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
Jun
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Jul
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Sep
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
11 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
12 rd
Dec
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Selsey is small but spread out: walking between the High Street, East Beach and West Sands can be 1 km or more of residential streets. Stagecoach Gold bus 51 runs from Chichester roughly every 15–30 min and takes about 45 min. Local taxi and minicab firms are the practical option for evenings.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Stagecoach Gold bus 51, about 45 min
Cathedral, Roman palace at Fishbourne and the main shops; the practical base for Selsey.
Bracklesham Bay
cautionDoor to door: About 30–40 min by car
Car via narrow lanes back towards Chichester, or a long coastal walk
No direct road; lanes are narrow and bendy. Fossil-hunting beach at low tide.
Door to door: About 45 min
Car via Chichester and the A27, about 30 min
Castle and cathedral town; better as a full day than a quick stop.
Door to door: About 1 h
Car via the A27, about 45 min
Larger seaside town with a pier and more eating options.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Selsey town centre / High Street
Pubs with rooms, B&Bs and shops within walking distance; best if you have no car.
West Sands
Caravan parks and holiday villages; family-oriented, near the fun fair and beach.
East Beach
Quieter seafront end, near the boat slipway and dive shop.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £45–70 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- £70–120 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
- High
- £120 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| B&B or pub double room1 × 1 night × £100 | £100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £80 | £160 |
| Bus 51 Chichester ↔ Selsey, return2 × £8 · check | £16 |
| Fish and chips takeaway2 × £12 | £24 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £10 | £20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £32 |
| Trip total≈ £176 per person per day, bed included | £352≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in pounds; travel to Selsey excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | £3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Fish and chips | £10–15 (≈ US$14–20) |
| Pub main course | £12–20 (≈ US$16–30) |
| Pint of beer | £4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Bus 51 Chichester → Selsey, single | £3–4 (≈ US$4–6) (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | £8–15 (≈ US$11–20) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The B2145 is the only road into Selsey; summer traffic and caravan convoys can be slow.
- EE and Three have next-to-no mobile signal in Selsey and on the approach roads; O2 and Vodafone have 4G. No 5G.
- Many seafront cafés and attractions are seasonal and shut outside the summer.
- The beach is pebble and steep in places; check tide times before swimming.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 999
- NHS non-urgent
- 111
- Police non-urgent
- 101
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
SelseySelsey
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance999
- NHS non-urgent111
- Police non-urgent101
Embassy
No embassies in Selsey; the US Embassy is in London. Consulates-general are in London, Edinburgh and Belfast.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus 51 Chichester → Selsey: about £3–4 (≈ US$4–6) single, about 45 min (check)
- Taxi Selsey → Chichester: £25–35 (≈ US$35–50) (check)
- Car park, East Beach: check local charges
Say or show
- Excuse me / Sorry — Excuse me / Sorry
- Thank you — Thank you
- Please — Please
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet?
English is spoken throughout; no phrasebook needed.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Selsey. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, many seasonal businesses shut) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for LGW and SOU: last bus 51 from Chichester, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: High Street, East Beach, West Sands, Selsey Bill.
- Place pages with verified opening hours for Pagham Harbour, West Sands Fun Fair and the heritage trail.
- Seasonal and hostile arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialSelsey Town Council
- officialRSPB Pagham Harbour
- officialVisit West Sussex
- secondaryWikivoyage: Selsey, revision 5244925 (CC BY-SA 4.0)