About
Climping Beach, also known as Atherington Beach, is near Littlehampton in West Sussex. This used to be a very popular beach, but storms in recent years have changed it, and coastal defences have been breached. The policy is to let the stretch from the Littlehampton Harbour estuary to Poole Place, the headland just before Elmer Beach, realign naturally. This is a shame because visiting the beach is a gamble and constantly changes.
Dog Access and Rules
Are dogs allowed on Climping Beach? Yes, dogs are allowed year-round, with no restrictions. Due to the erosion, it is not the safest place to visit with a dog.
Browse other dog-friendly beaches near Littlehampton or ALL UK dog-friendly beaches on our map, including seasonal rules and year-round spots.
Things To See & Do
The beach is known for its natural, unspoiled setting with minimal development. This stretch of coast is a dog-walker’s paradise, as many of the beaches merge into one, separated by wooden groynes. They stretch from the Arun River estuary at Littlehampton in the east to Bognor Regis in the west, and all allow dogs.
Erosion is a big problem on this stretch of coast, and we have been travelling down for years. The stretch between Climping and Elmer Sands now seems to be left to the mercy of the conditions and has changed so much. You need to be a little careful, as the high-water coast path has taken a battering and can be risky underfoot or just missing in places. So we recommend walking at mid- to low tide when you can stick to the beach.
Access and Facilities
Due to erosion, you have no facilities at the beach, although you have a dog-friendly The Black Horse pub half a mile back up the road from the beach.
