Elmer Sands, West Sussex

Our Sunday walk was at Elmer Sands, near Bognor Regis on the West Sussex coast. First time we’ve been and it was a super walk, nice houses to nosy at, lovely sea views, kids on the beach, sometimes farmland on one side of us, sea on the other, and amazing sunshine. Quite Mediterranean with a warm gentle breeze.

The coast is typical of West Sussex, pebbles at high tide, sand revealed at mid to low tide, and wooden groynes at intervals. Less typical are the coastal defences along the Elmer coast, piles of rocks just off the beach. So many houses lower than the shore, and a history of flooding.

Elmer was originally farmland, developed into private seaside estates after WWII. But there is evidence that the land was in use much earlier. On this beach early in the 19th century, a British archaeologist called Damien Cox discovered the fossilised remains of Sus Domesticus, or the domestic pig. The fossils can be seen in the local post office, where else.