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| Bognor Regis, West Sussex, UK |
History says that Bognor was originally a fishing and smuggling village. In the late 1700's Sir Richard Hotham set about creating an upmarket resort, primarily for the titled members of the landowning upper classes. King George V came here to convalesce in 1929 and as a consequence bestowed the "Regis" suffix on the town's name. In 2009 development of a new Entertainment centre will begin, content will include a multiscreen cinema, ten pin bowling, a hotel, retail store and restaurants. Talk continues regarding the possible development of a Marina complex on the water front (it gets our vote), could we oneday see Bognor Regis join the ranks of Puerto Banus, Vilamoura, Brighton or even Monte Carlo? Below, we take you on a guided tour of the town.
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| Hotham Park, Bognor Regis |
As it's name suggests the park was created by Sir Richard Hotham, here he built his home in 1792. Below we show the putting green:
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Redevelopment of the Bognor Regis seafront |
Significant redevelopment of the town, particularly the seafront is taking place. Below is an example of modern apartment block in the final stages of construction:
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| Butlins Bognor Regis |
The impact of Butlins on the town is too great to ignore. It is a significant piece of real estate and houses thousand's of holidaymakers at anyone time. It is open year round, and it's futuristic spires are visible as one approaches the town from the South Downs. The image below is taken from the West looking from the Bognor Regis seafront towards Felpham:
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| Butlins Shoreline Hotel, Bognor Regis |
Butlins is moving up market, the Shoreline Hotel seen below is testament to that fact. A second hotel with a spa, will be built on the site shortly:
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Felpham Beach, Bognor Regis |
Our favourite Bognor Regis beach. The shot below taken from the West at low tide, exaggerates the breakwaters. August weekends will find us ambling East through coastal Felpham and Middleton by Sea to Elmer.
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| Bognor Regis Watersports |
There's plenty of scope for water based sports at Bognor Regis. We regularly watch Jet Skis, Sailing, Kitesurfing and Canoeing.
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| Sea Fishing Bognor Regis |
Here a couple of youngsters perfect their sea-fishing craft. Other fishermen use the pier, whilst others take to the water to catch dinner.
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| Bognor Regis Fishing Industry |
Further along the beach we find where the professional fishermen base themselves (right beside the pier). These gentleman supply local restaurants and hotels their fresh "catch of the day"  |
| Bognor Regis Pier |
Sadly, the pier was recently shortened following a health and safety review, as a consequence the world famous annual Birdman competition has been cancelled. It would be wonderful to see the pier restored to it's former glory and the Birdman return to the town.
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| Bognor Regis beach from the Pier |
The shot below looks from the pier towards the town. The seafront contains all the usual attributes; Fish & Chip restaurants, amusement arcades, the odd watering hole and two or three night clubs:
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| Bognor Regis night club |
Opposite the pier, we find a night club with restaurant below. We understand that their are plans to turn this road which runs between the beach and this beach facing property into a pedestrian zone. Let us hope they find somewhere else for the cars to go.
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Continuing our journey West along the sea front we come across the Royal Hotel.
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| Royal Norfolk Hotel, Bognor Regis |
Just along from the Royal, we find the Royal Norfolk Hotel. This hotel also enjoys sea view:
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| Steyne, Bognor Regis |
Leaving the sea front and heading inland, we pass through the Steyne Gardens, compared to the beach area, we have entered a relative sea of tranquility surrounded by superb period architechture:
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| Bognor Regis Sporting Facilities |
Close to the town centre we find an extremely popular Bowling Green:
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We have now headed into the Bognor Regis town centre, which incidentally is largely pedistrianised:
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| Bognor Regis Shopping Arcade |
They certainly do not build them like this anymore, a class building with a walk through arcade joining the main shopping area to the sea front:
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| Bognor Regis Shopping |
Just one shot of the pedistrianised shopping area, forming part of the town centre:
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| Bognor Regis History |
Bognor Regis contains many examples of its long history, here we have the town's original Ice House, a ice store:
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Buildings originally built to accommodate Sir Richard Hotham's resort guests now form part of Chichester University, this example is part of the Bognor Regis campus:
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© Oldland Consulting Ltd 2008 |
