The story began in 1928 when WHB Fletcher, Lord of the Manor of Aldwick, sold his 575-acre Pagham Farm estate at auction at the Dolphin Hotel Chichester (now Waterstones) for £29,000 — equivalent to £2 million in today’s money.
One hundred acres of this prime land, situated in “The Bay”, were purchased by Captain H. B. Allaway MC, a London-based property developer who conceived the idea of creating “an outstanding example of land development” — what we call today the Aldwick Bay Estate. The rest, as they say, is history!
In his advertisement, Allaway proclaimed: “The Aldwick Bay Estate caters for the town dweller who desires a nice type of seaside residence and for the retired wishing to live in a peaceful neighbourhood not invaded by trippers and charabanc parties, free from bands, concert parties and the noise and hustle only too commonly associated with many seaside resorts.”
Original intentions were that every house would have accommodation for staff and a chauffeur, and that each garden would be large enough for a tennis court. Early attempts at establishing strict standards on house design soon gave way to a more relaxed approach, resulting in Georgian, Tudor, Dutch, Spanish, and French-influenced designs.
The Bay Court Hotel, situated by the Dunes, was originally built as a private residence but was converted into a hotel in the 1940s. It became a popular resting place for celebrities attending the Goodwood horse races, and welcomed many famous cinema stars including Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, and Jack Hawkins. Eventually, the hotel became unsustainable and was converted into flats.
During World War II
An invasion along the South Coast was a constant fear, necessitating defences on the beach and Estate which did nothing to enhance its appearance. Many residents who had homes elsewhere moved away from the Estate during the war years.
Rumours of spies and fifth columnists abounded, and at least one house was raided. The Fairway, Manor Way, and Bay Walk became home to Canadian forces, who were stationed in Nissen huts. The Mulberry Harbour, built for the D-Day landings, could be seen from the beach — and one section that did not make the crossing can still be seen today.
A couple of important visitors during this period were Lord Alexander of Tunis and Douglas Bader, who was billeted on the Estate. Shortly after the war, Neville Duke — a wartime fighter ace and later a test pilot — lived on the Estate. Hunters Close was named after the famous Hawker Hunter jet fighter in which Duke broke the world air speed record in 1953, flying along the coast at 727 mph.
A pivotal point in our history occurred in October 1987 when The Great Storm, an unexpected and prolonged hurricane, devastated much of south east England. Here, buildings were damaged, mature trees uprooted, and roads blocked. At that time, all of the roads, verges, beach and common areas which constituted the “Estate” were owned by a property company which found itself facing the significant cost of clearing up the debris and repairing the damage.
Concerned with how this might play out, a small team of residents persuaded their neighbours to contribute a total of £32,000, allowing them to purchase the Estate outright and run it under the banner of a Residents Association. Those original “founders”, four of whom were led by Mr J. S. Williams — to whom the current shareholders owe a considerable debt — completed the acquisition in 1988. The purchase was then formalised into a Limited Company later that year.
The first challenge was to clear the storm damage and then begin improving the potholed roads, the verges and lighting. But without doubt, it was that “association of residents” who laid the foundations for the environment we enjoy today.
The Company as it exists now continues to function for the benefit of its shareholders, with the primary purpose of maintaining the roads, verges, lighting, footpaths, security, trees, and landscape collectively known as the “Estate”.
In addition, it seeks to promote a spirit of community among residents, while at the same time protecting and, wherever possible, enhancing the ambience and character of their surroundings.
A private business limited by shares, the powers and duties of the Company are set out in a Memorandum and Articles of Association and are bound by the various Acts of Parliament relating to micro companies, including the filing of annual returns to Companies House.
The Directors of the Company — up to eight in number — are volunteers, unpaid, and elected by the shareholders to hold office for three years. The resident property owners are the Company shareholders.
The Company as it exists now continues to function for the benefit of its shareholders, with the primary purpose of maintaining the roads, verges, lighting, footpaths, security, trees, and landscape collectively known as the “Estate”.
In addition, it seeks to promote a spirit of community among residents, while at the same time protecting and, wherever possible, enhancing the ambience and character of their surroundings.
A private business limited by shares, the powers and duties of the Company are set out in a Memorandum and Articles of Association and are bound by the various Acts of Parliament relating to micro companies, including the filing of annual returns to Companies House.
The Directors of the Company — up to eight in number — are volunteers, unpaid, and elected by the shareholders to hold office for three years. The resident property owners are the Company shareholders.
Aldwick Bay Estate is very fortunate to have access to a beach for residents, which is owned and managed by the Company. The beach, located at the southern edge of the Estate, is owned by the Company down to the Mean High Water Springs mark.
There are several entrances to the beach, and while it is never busy, it still offers easy walking access to both Pagham and central Bognor Regis. The entire stretch is fringed with a rare plant community commonly known as Vegetated Shingle. This unique habitat is of international conservation importance, as it only occurs in Britain, Northern Europe, Japan, and New Zealand.
In 1980 The Government’s advisory body on nature conservation recognised the importance of this coastline by designating over four kilometres of beach between Channel View (near Pagham Beach) and Waterloo Square (Bognor Regis) as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Dogs are allowed off the lead on the beach throughout the year, and there are dog bins along the beach edge. The beach is also ideal for water sports.
On driving or walking onto the Aldwick Bay Estate, two things are immediately apparent: the quiet roads and the lush green environment.
Shingle footpaths with neatly trimmed verges are a hallmark of the Estate, but the feature that truly stands out is the trees — a wonderful natural asset that contributes hugely to the environment and the quality of life for all residents.
A survey is carried out at regular intervals by a fully qualified arboriculturist to ensure that the tree stock, which numbers over 700, are in good health. Any necessary follow-up work is then carried out by the arboriculturists under the watchful eye of the Company’s Estate Director.
Many famous people have either lived on the Estate or had connections with it. A favourite pastime among residents is investigating who lived where — and knowing that your house may have once been home to a celebrity adds a fun twist to the story.
Who knows — did someone famous once live in YOUR house?
Water Quality at Pagham
No Pollution Incidents Reported
The most recent classification is Good,
based on sample taken from 2021 through to 2024
Water Quality at Bognor Regis (Aldwick)
No Pollution Incidents Reported
The most recent classification is Poor
based on sample taken from 2021 through to 2024
