Exploring the Bognor Regis Property Market 

01.04.2021

Next up in our series of articles discovering the property market opportunities available throughout beautiful West Sussex, we are focussing on Bognor Regis.

The famous coastal resort town is well known for its glorious beaches and old-world rustic charm, but a lesser-known fact is that Bognor is one of the sunniest towns in the UK, with exceptional schools and fast transport links directly into London. The town is just under six miles from our property management offices in Chichester to the southeast and within 24 miles of Brighton.

Let’s take a look at what sort of homes you can buy in Bognor Regis and why it continues to be a top contender in the commuter belt, combining convenience with the beachside lifestyle, so many of us aspire to!

Why West Sussex is a Prime Property Location 

The county of West Sussex itself offers a myriad of culture, lifestyle and entertainment. It continues to be one of the optimal locations for professionals and families who need to consider practicalities such as schooling and transport links.

It’s difficult to put into words how this tranquil county combines rural villages, summertime hotspots and elegant cities in one small area – so let’s look at some of the most famous attractions that make West Sussex such a draw.

• We can’t talk about our local area without mentioning the South Downs National Park. Just half an hour from Bognor Regis, this immense natural space caters to everything from casual strolls, family picnics, MTB biking and off-road hiking. The park spans the West Sussex coastline, with astonishing cliff-top views, with the South Downs Way a fantastic way to explore the scenery on offer.
• The Regis Centre is a vibrant entertainment venue in the heart of Bognor. It provides theatre shows, musical events, gigs and family dance fixtures, alongside studio spaces and a large auditorium.
• Beach on the Beach is a must-visit place for families with little ones on the East Promenade in the town. This is a brilliant way to enjoy the beach and sunshine without needing to move when the tide creeps back in with a giant sandpit.
• Bersted Brooks Nature Reserve is another peaceful day out, just on the outskirts of Bognor town centre. The venue is home to natural wildlife habitats and wetlands and a great way to spot rare British species across the 46-acre site.

Those are only the tip of the iceberg, and adding in the Goodwood Festival of Speed, ancient ruins, dynamic shopping centres and a booming restaurant scene, it’s easy to see why West Sussex is such a desirable place to set down roots.

Ideally situated for easy access to London, Chichester, Portsmouth and Brighton, there are plenty of opportunities to escape to the countryside or visit the city if you tire of the coastal lifestyle (as unlikely as that is!).

Spotlighting Bognor Regis as a West Sussex Destination

Bognor Regis is a historic fishing village and a prime spot for smuggling back in the 18th century. The town became a holiday resort given the vast beachfront, hours of summer sunshine, and varied coastline, attracting walkers and nature lovers in droves.

Property in Bognor Regis is in high demand, and the town retains a traditional feel, sheltered from the worst of the elements by the South Downs and Selsey Peninsula. Beaches in Bognor are clean and spacious, and there are hundreds of shops, bars and restaurants, alongside cultural sites and ruins that are well worth exploring.

The town is also attractive as an investment destination. It is a prime region for redevelopment and is widely tipped to be ‘the next Brighton’ with significant investment in cultural hubs, the digital sector, and co-working spaces.

One of the biggest positives is that the town offers a rare opportunity to be within a manageable commute of London while being directly on the ocean:

• London is around one hour and 45 minutes away via direct train links.
• Gatwick is just over an hour away by train.
• You can reach Chichester from Bognor Regis in less than 15 minutes by train, or 20 minutes by car.
• Hourly trains run to Brighton, taking less than an hour.
• The main A3 road is only 25 minutes drive away.

The old town is found between Waterloo Square and West Street, full of regency townhouses at stunningly affordable prices. The Victorian streets are also timelessly graceful, with great family homes and contemporary apartment conversions.

As Bognor Regis has grown, several surrounding villages have been incorporated into the outskirts and provide large properties with a rural feel, although still within minutes of the beach. If you’re looking for a quiet home, Flansham and North Bersted are excellent places to look, offering quaint thatched cottages and countryside charm.

Schools and Education in Bognor Regis

Given the high demand for family properties in Bognor, it’s no surprise that there are some outstanding schools and colleges in the town and surrounding areas.

Some of the best primary schools in the area include:

• Rose Green Junior School, to the northwest of the town and rated Good.
• Nyewood C of E also rated Good and catering for years three to six.
• South Bersted Primary School, a C of E school also Good rated.
• St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, for ages four to eleven and rated Good.

For secondary schools, you might consider:

• The Regis School (an academy) rated Good and accepting students up to the sixth form.
• Bishop Luffa School, Chichester – an academy catering to pupils aged 11-18 rated Ofsted Outstanding and 20 minutes drive from Bognor Regis.
• Felpham Community College, a five-minute drive from the town centre and Good rated.

For further education, the University of Chichester is the closest establishment, and the nearest campus is just three minutes drive from Bognor town centre or seven minutes on the train.

The Bognor Regis Property Market

There are a wide variety of homes to choose from in Bognor Regis. That could be an apartment with a beachside view, a period property in the town’s historic areas, or a new-build at one of the contemporary new developments.

Many town centre homes are Victorian seaside properties and regency styled terrace homes, with larger family homes and thatched cottages further out of the central area, in areas such as Witterings, Selsey, Aldwick and Pagham.

Bognor isn’t just attractive and in high demand but is also significantly more affordable than many nearby cities.

• An average property in Bognor Regis sells for £325,384, around £150,000 less than a comparable property in Brighton.
• Detached homes sell for an average of £462,146, and many offer significant garden spaces and outdoor areas given the lower population density.
• Semi-detached properties sell for around £290,000, many on the tree-lined Victorian streets old Bognor is known for.

The rental market in Bognor Regis is also robust, partly due to proximity to the University of Chichester, within walking distance of most areas.

One and two-bedroom apartments rent for around £650 to £850 a month, and family homes cost from £1,000 to £1,400 monthly, representing excellent value for money.

With so much to offer and a highly competitive property market, it seems likely that the town’s popularity will only continue to grow. The ideal combination of coastal living, period properties, good schools and desirable transport links make Bognor an outstanding choice for families looking for the best of both worlds.

To stay up to date with the Bognor market’s latest properties, contact the Tod Anstee team to stay ahead of the trend and get a first look at new opportunities as they arise.