I lived in Bognor Regis from 2000 to 2002. Although it’s not the sort of place that’s likely to draw the American tourist, it does have its own unique charm. Like much of England, while daily life has a bit of a mundane feel, it is rich in local history.
Located about halfway between Brighton and Portsmouth on the southern coast of England, it’s close to a lot of places tourists might enjoy. There are several castles worth seeing and Arundel Castle is probably both the oldest and the best known. Arundel castle also has the distinction of being one of the few (if not the only) castle that is still used as a noble residence as it is home to both the Earl of Arundel and the Duke of Norfolk.
And if you are the sort that enjoys silliness for silliness’ sake, then you can’t miss the annual Birdman of Bognor competition. Each year, contestants build human-powered flying machines and launch themselves from the end of the pier. Several prizes are awarded, and even though some of the contraptions designed are really only good for a laugh, there are some competitors who take it somewhat seriously and are committed to designing the machine which will carry them furthest from the pier and to victory. The competition draws a large crowd and gets a fair bit of media coverage. Don’t cross the globe to attend it, but if you’re nearby when this event is being held, you definitely won’t want to miss it.
All-in-all, I had a good time living in Bognor Regis – although that was mostly due to the fact that it was ideally situated to allow for convenient travel to other places. One example is the Royal Air Force’s Tangmere airfield, located three miles north of Chichester. If you take the A259 west from Bognor Regis to Chichester then take the A27 east, you’ll shortly find Tangmere. Finding the airfield is easy from there if you do a little driving and read the signposts carefully. Tangmere played an important role in defending England during the Battle of Britain in World War II, and WWII enthusiasts will enjoy the trip.
The South Downs are also close. Driving through them is quite enjoyable as is simple pleasure driving in general – particularly north toward London on the A259.
There are little nuggets of coolness all around this area of England, and I have many fond memories of the two years I spent living there.