A beach with free parking and plenty of green space has been called a "much-kept secret" by happy visitors.

The stretch of coastline, which is just a short drive from Worthing, is one of the quieter beaches in West Sussex, much to the surprise of visitors.

On Tripadvisor, the beach has an average four-and-a-half star rating and is praised for its parking provision, scenery and lack of crowds.

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One reviewer said: "Ferring beach is a much-kept secret by the locals and I can tell why.

"It is just as good as any of the stoney beaches in this south coast area, but with a lot fewer people.

"There is a café at the heart of it and lots of space too. A great day out."

Someone else said: "I love Ferring beach, it is my go-to happy place.

"As soon as I park the car and start the walk from Ferring to Goring and back again my shoulders drop and all my cares float away.

"The beach at Ferring a quiet and unbusy unlike the beaches at Brighton for example.

"There are beach huts, trees, large rocks and vegetation on the beach along the walk which make it more interesting and near the Ferring end there is Patterson Walk where you can admire all the amazing houses and dream of which one you would buy if you won the lottery. 

"A great place for dog walkers. A lovely spot on the Sussex coast."

The beach was also referred to as being a "quaint English seaside" area by one reviewer.

They said: "Beautiful quiet beach. We went on a Saturday in July, good weather and the beach was empty. It was so nice.

"Great café on the beach that has food and parking. Lovely walk both left and right along the beach. Very quaint English seaside, will go again and explore in more detail."

Another person said the beach is better than West Wittering.

They wrote: "Lovely beach and great for the kids and, if you have one, dog. As far as we could establish free parking.

"Different from West Wittering as pebbly but I’d say better and on our visit, admittedly not the best of days, pretty quiet."

The coastline was also described as being "uncommercialised".

A visitor to the area said: "An uncommercialised beach, this is a very pretty spot.

"Little beach huts, nice grassy area, quiet and select."

The beach, which has free parking and plenty of ice cream vans visiting in summer, is about four miles away from Worthing Pier.