The tenant-in-chief was Earl Roger of Shrewsbury under the lordship of Ralph of Bignor, whereas prior to the Norman Conquest it was privately owned.

The beach is managed by the National Trust, and has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to its rare habitats and wildlife.

It is considered to be one of the best beaches in the UK for swimming due to its clean water and gently sloping shoreline.

[citation needed] The locality is referred to in Giles Cooper's radio play Unman, Wittering and Zigo.

[17] At the mouth of Chichester Harbour lies the little settlement of West Wittering, beautiful and glittering when the sea flows round it at high tide, forlorn and untidy when it is out.