West Thorney is a village and civil parish on Thorney Island, the southern part of a peninsula of land between two arms of Chichester Harbour, separated from the mainland by a channel called the Great Deep.

[3] It is necessary to give one's name and address by intercom to be allowed through remotely controlled gates.

[2] The Anglican parish church is dedicated to St Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors.

The Manor of Thorney belonged to the chapelry of Bosham at the Norman conquest and was held by the Bishops of Exeter.

[5] Chichester Harbour, a Site of Special Scientific Interest is partly within the parish.