Littlehampton combines long stretches of beach with distinctive places for culture and leisure. At East Beach, sand and shingle meet grassy foreshore; at West Beach, dunes and the ruins of Littlehampton Napoleonic Fort shape the landscape. There is also a museum in the Grade II listed Manor House, a miniature railway and activities at Mewsbrook Park. You can tailor your stay to the coast, history or leisure activities.
Beaches and seafront
Family-friendly East Beach is a sand and shingle beach more than a mile long. During the summer season, it is patrolled by RNLI lifeguards. The grassy foreshore beside the beach is used for picnics and ball games, adding another way to spend time outdoors. As lifeguard patrols are seasonal, it is advisable to check the information for your planned visit.
A prominent landmark on the seafront is The Long Bench. The 324-metre-long bench runs along the promenade from the seafront kiosks to East Beach Café. West Beach offers a different landscape: it is part of one of only three dune systems in West Sussex; the ruins of Littlehampton Napoleonic Fort are also located there. So while East Beach is known for its beach and grassy foreshore, dunes and the fort shape the coastal landscape at West Beach.
You can reach West Beach by car or on foot via the red bridge opposite the railway station. From the bridge, a 15-minute walk continues along the river. As access arrangements may change, check local access information before your trip.
Park, railway and leisure activities
Mewsbrook Park offers boat trips on the boating lake in summer and also has a children's playground. The boat trips are seasonal, so check current operations before travelling. Another way to explore the area is the Littlehampton Miniature Railway. It runs from Mewsbrook Park Station through woodland and along the seafront to Norfolk Gardens. The railway has been operating since 1948; running days and opening hours vary by season. The boating lake and railway therefore differ both in what they offer and in that the railway travels along a route between named stations and destinations.
Harbour Park offers more than 15 attractions. These include outdoor rides, amusement arcades, a pirate-themed escape room and an indoor soft-play area. The availability of rides and attractions varies by season. If you want to compare outdoor offerings with indoor activities, you can find both here under one name; check which attractions will be available on your chosen date before visiting.
Museum and getting there
Littlehampton Museum is housed in the Grade II listed Manor House. Its galleries cover archaeology, social history, art and natural history. The range extends from finds and local history to art and nature. The museum also regularly holds Finds Sessions, where visitors can bring in archaeological finds for identification. Dates and booking arrangements may change; if you plan to attend a session, check the latest information and booking options beforehand.
Train connections may also be a factor in your planning. Littlehampton is served by regular trains from London Victoria; the journey takes about two hours. There are also regular services from other major cities on the south coast, including Chichester, Portsmouth and Brighton. As the frequency of services may change, check the timetable for your travel date.
Discover more destinations: Pagham, Lancing, Amberley, West Chiltington, Rake, Steyning, Chichester, Worthing.
Return to the main travel overview: West Sussex.
