Things To Do In Bognor Regis

Last updated : 24/8/2026

There are plenty of things to do in Bognor Regis for all ages and I have compiled a list of the best ones below.

Bognor is often the butt of jokes but is actually the sunniest place in the UK!  I’ve lived here since 1979 and feel very lucky to live so close to the beach, and there are lots of new and exciting things to see and do.  My list is by no means exhaustive, so do come and find out for yourself what else this seaside town has to offer.

Bognor Town Centre

There are lots of new things to do in Bognor Regis, including new children’s play areas, and delicious places to eat.

Most visitors flock to the seafront where there is plenty to do and my tour of things to do in Bognor Regis starts opposite the pier where there is a lovely mini golf course.  My family has been playing golf here for over 20 years and it’s great for all ages.

This mini golf has a lucky last hole where you can win a free game if you get the ball in the top hole!

Opposite the golf in Waterloo Square is the newly reopened Mr P’s Classic Amusements.   I love it here as it’s the only place for miles around which has pinball machines.  There are lots of retro fruit machines, driving machines and other arcade games, many taking 2p pieces. 

One of the best things to do in Bognor Regis is this children’s play park on the promenade.  It’s the ‘beach on the beach’ with sandpit play, climbing frames, swings and roundabouts.

It’s a lovely area right on the beach and is perfect for little ones.

Also on the beach are a range of mini rides, including the train below, some mini go-karts and a bouncy slide.

Bognor Pier

A visit to the seaside isn’t complete without a walk on the pier. There are amusements and various places to eat and drink there, including Sheiks nightclub and Legends Sports Bar.

It’s lovely just to walk up and down the prom, which stretches from Aldwick in the west to Middleton in the east, around 5km in total.  You can ride, run or skate too and there are cafes and toilets scattered along the route.

If you’re in the town and fancy a sweet treat then I can highly recommend Sweet Flamingo in Place St Maur next to the Regis Centre.  Their sundaes, gelato and cakes are to die for! They commissioned local artist Chloe Dowsett to paint a stunning mural inside which is worth a visit alone. Owner Stuart sells chunky brownies which I’d highly recommend with a couple of scoops of gelato.

If you fancy some traditional fish and chips then there are a few options along the prom, as well as more amusement arcades.

There’s Bonito Lounge and Bombay Valley in the town centre, Fino (which I love for special occasions) in Felpham, and many lovely pubs such as The Fox and The Lamb (in Pagham).  Read about all the places to eat in Bognor on TripAdvisor here.  For lighter bites visit Sourdough Sisters in Middleton or Caffe Grey or Deligo in Felpham.

Hotham Park

Hotham Park is situated between the town centre and Butlin’s, and is a lovely green space in which the family can sit, walk and play.  It is home to the Park Run at 9am on a Saturday morning and hosts a number of events and giant screen for occasions such as royal weddings!  There is a little train which runs around the outside of the park on summer weekends and in the school holidays, and a cafe to stop for a drink, snack or meal.

 

The play area in Hotham Park is great for children of all ages with a separate toddler section and larger area with zipline for older children.

Another activity in Hotham Park is the Wildforest Falls adventure golf.  It has a wild animal theme and a range of challenges at each of the 18 holes, which three generations of my family really enjoyed when we tried it out.  There are waterfalls, animal models and other obstacles to overcome – it’s definitely one of the best things to do in Bognor Regis.

Bognor Museum

Bognor Museum is well worth a visit and offers free entry.  It is a treasure trove of local history and includes many old photos and a huge collection of exhibits.  I went with my Mum, a retired nurse, who was fascinated by the display of bygone medical supplies, many of which she used during her early years working at St Richard’s Hospital.   The story of King George V’s convalescence in Craigweil House is really interesting, followed by the town’s application for its ‘Regis’ status which was granted soon after.  The Olby’s store display brought back fond memories for me of buying an electric guitar from its music department in the early 1980s.

There is a room dedicated to old wireless equipment including record players and vintage microphones which was bequeathed to the museum by a former curator.

The museum is in West Street and was formerly home to the Berkeley pub, where I spent many a happy hour playing pool during the late 1980s.   For townsfolk and visitors alike the museum offers a fascinating trip down memory lane with extremely helpful staff to guide you around the exhibits and answer any questions you may have.  Jane and Lou were on duty when we visited and they offered a wealth of local knowledge.  To find out more, including opening times, visit the museum’s website here.

Felpham

If you head east past Butlin’s then your first stop will be Felpham seafront which is extremely popular amongst locals and visitors alike for a walk, or you can sit with a drink and watch the world go by.

You’ll often see boats, windsurfers and kayaks offshore, both at Felpham Sailing Club and also being launched from along the prom by seafaring locals.  I’ve recently bought a paddle board so you might see me paddling along the shore (or, more likely, falling off!). Occasionally you get the chance to watch more adventurous water sportsmen such as kite surfers who fascinated us recently with their giant leaps into the air.  It must be an amazing feeling!

There are plenty of places to eat in Felpham including Caffe Grey (would highly recommend a visit), the Beachcroft Hotel and the Fox Inn.  If you stick to the prom then there is a choice of the Lobster Pot (we visit all the time and can recommend their crab sandwiches and cakes!) and the Boat House. The Thatched House was refurbished in 2019 and is very popular, both for drinking and eating. They host music nights regularly which are extremely popular with locals.

My top tip for Felpham is that if you want a lolly and the queues are long at the Boat House then head to the hut at the putting green where there is usually no queue and a range of iced treats and cold drinks!  The putting green is very popular and there are also tennis courts here in Felpham.  Bognor also has tennis at Swansea Gardens, just west of the town centre.

If you continue walking in an easterly direction then you will arrive in Middleton and then, if the tide is sufficiently far out, you can clamber over the rocks and groynes to Elmer beach which is a real hidden gem.  It’s not easy to reach as the beach is bordered by private estates, but there are access points via the main road if the sea is too far in to get there along the seafront.  Elmer has a lovely sandy beach and rocks which make it a great place to visit.

Aldwick

At the west end of the town is Aldwick, home to West Park, Marine Park Gardens and a number of pubs and eateries including The Waverley, Navigator and a fab cafe on the beach nestled among the beach huts.  It’s a short walk along the prom from the pier, where you pass cafes, a skate park and an occasional piece of fitness equipment for energetic visitors!

The skate park opposite the Royal Norfolk hotel is very popular with BMXers, skaters and scooter riders.

Pretty Marine Park Gardens has plenty of benches to sit on and a lovely putting green, a short hop from the Waverley Pub for refreshments.

West Park is where the annual 10k road race starts and finishes, and attracts huge crowds in May each year.

There’s plenty to do at West Park including a children’s playpark, more exercise equipment, a climbing wall, plenty of space for football and even a table tennis table.

Just across the road from West Park is Aldwick beach, with its own cafe and picnic benches which are a lovely place to sit on a sunny day.  The cafe provides a huge range of meals, snacks, drinks and ice creams.

 

Butlin’s

No guide to Bognor is complete without a mention for Butlin’s!

It’s what most people know Bognor Regis for, and is visited by thousands of people every year.  If you’re not staying on site then you can go in as a day visitor for swimming, to watch shows in the Skyline Pavilion and visit the funfair.  There is so much going on, especially for children and in 2019 they opened a massive £40million indoor swimming complex, one of the biggest in the country.  The new Butlin’s pool includes slides, a wave pool, sun loungers and can accommodate up to 1000 people!  Details of day visitor passes can be found on their website here.   If you are local and visit often then you can even get an annual pass which is great value for money.

If you have children then you can pop in throughout the year, except on adult weekends, but grown-ups can still go in on these themed breaks to watch great bands and have a boogie!  In the past couple of years we have seen Marc Almond, Suede, Human League and OMD, all of whom were brilliant!

I found this review of Butlin’s from someone who stayed there with a young family so it has plenty of tips for visitors with under 5s – which is useful as my children are all grown up now!

Other things to do in Bognor Regis

If you want to watch a movie then the Picturedrome cinema is superb value at only £3.50 on weekdays and £4.50 on weekends.  You can see what’s on and book a seat via their website here. The cinema has just celebrated its 100th birthday and now boasts four screens, ranging in capacity from 33 to 324 seats.

It’s a lovely old building and nice to go to a traditional cinema rather than a moneygrabbing multiplex.  I love screen 3 which is very intimate and comfortable.  Their drinks and snacks are affordable prices too, it’s a breath of fresh air and a real gem in the town.

Other places to look out for include Pagham Harbour for leisurely and scenic walks, the Mini Lights indoor play area for tots (see their Facebook page here) and Arun Leisure Centre for swimming fun.  You can find out more things to do in Bognor Regis using this website including travel links and car park details.

If you want to see how Bognor looks from the air then check out my aerial photos blog, and if you’re planning a visit then you can find out where water refill stations are here, to save on plastic by bringing your own drinks container.

Bognorphenia

Bognorphenia is a fantastic weekend of events organised by Kez Dunnaway.  It raises money for local youth projects and includes a scooter rideout, stalls, activities for children and a stage featuring local live acts.  Do check out their website if you come to Bognor in September.

If you enjoyed reading about the best things to do in Bognor Regis then these posts may interest you too, which cover other local places :

• Chichester Festival Of Flowers
• My Favourite Brighton Shops
• Brighton Street Art

If you want to come to Bognor then you can search Booking.com here to see a range of hotels and guest houses, or check out some deals on their website. Many of these coastal B&Bs showcase timeless interiors furnished with Solid Wood Bed Frames to give guests a truly cosy, home-away-from-home experience.