Littlehampton

File:Augustus Wall Callcott (1779-1844) - Littlehampton Pier - N00345 - National Gallery.jpg by Augustus Wall Callcott, 1812]]

A human settlement at Littlehampton can be traced back to prehistoric and Roman times, while it appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the hamlet of 'Hantone'.{{cite web|url=http://www.littlehampton-tc.gov.uk/cgi-bin/buildpage.pl?mysql=14|title=The Littlehampton Story|work=Littlehampton Town Council|date=10 October 2009|access-date=3 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716182322/http://www.littlehampton-tc.gov.uk/cgi-bin/buildpage.pl?mysql=14|archive-date=16 July 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} The settlement is believed to have been a fishing community around this time, appearing on a French map in around 1100 as 'Hanton'. The settlement is then believed to have been given to the Abbey of St Martin de Seez in Normandy, who owned Littlehampton until around 1400. The area then passed back to the ownership of successive Earls of Arundel and Dukes of Norfolk, whose successors still reside in Arundel today.

Littlehampton began to develop as a port as a result of constant silting of the River Arun, perhaps leading to the prefix of 'Little' being added to 'Hampton', in order to distinguish it from the larger Southampton further along the coast. The expansion of port activities led to a new river mouth being cut in 1735, alongside the building of a wooden harbour. At this time it was also known as Arundel Port.

{{cite book|title=Historical Account of the Navigable Rivers, Canals, and Railways, of Great Britain|author=Joseph Priestley|year=1830|page=28}}

As the eighteenth century progressed, the town developed from a fishing community to a holiday destination, with Lord Byron, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Percy Bysshe Shelley and John Constable all believed to have spent time there.

The town's status as both a port and a holiday resort led to economic success in the nineteenth century, with a railway line and a cross-channel ferry to Honfleur in France being introduced.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yQ8HAAAAQAAJ&q=littlehampton+honfleur&pg=RA2-PA29|title=The iron roads dictionary and travellers route charts of the English and Welsh Railways|date=1881|publisher=Waterlow and Sons Limited|location=London|page=29|last1=Vine|first1=Sir John Richard Somers|access-date=18 May 2016|archive-date=22 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122235912/https://books.google.com/books?id=yQ8HAAAAQAAJ&q=littlehampton+honfleur&pg=RA2-PA29|url-status=live}} The population of the town grew tenfold over the century, from 584 in 1801 to 5,954 in 1901. Littlehampton remained as a holiday resort in the twentieth century, becoming known as 'The Children's Paradise' in the 1920s.

Post-war Littlehampton saw much house building on the outskirts of the town, eventually absorbing the villages of Wick, Lyminster and Toddington, while the commercial element of the town became increasingly focused on boat building and water sports. In 1967, the town attracted attention by becoming the base for the first Blue Peter lifeboat.{{cite web| title = Station History| publisher = RNLI Littlehampton| url = http://littlehamptonlifeboat.org.uk/station-history/| access-date = 7 February 2014| archive-date = 28 October 2013| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131028174339/http://littlehamptonlifeboat.org.uk/station-history/| url-status = live}}

The world headquarters of The Body Shop is situated towards the north of the town, and is a major employer in the area.

A local company, Dando Drilling International Ltd, founded in 1867, has been exporting drilling rigs from Littlehampton since 1868.{{cite web |title=Dando History |url=https://dando.co.uk/about/dando-history/ |website=Dando |access-date=14 July 2024}} Van Heyningen Brothers (VHB) salad growers was a major employer in the town from 1964 to 2003.

{{update|section|date=July 2024}}

Littlehampton lies within the parliamentary constituency of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, the Member of Parliament (MP) for which is Conservative Alison Griffiths.

At a local government level, Littlehampton is part of Littlehampton Town Council, Arun District Council and West Sussex County Council. Littlehampton currently has 10 seats on the district council, spread across five wards – Beach, Brookfield, Ham, River and Wick with Toddington. At the district elections held in May 2011, the Conservatives won 7 of these 10 seats, Labour 2 and the Liberal Democrats 1.{{cite web|url=http://www.arun.gov.uk/mediaFiles/downloads/8307/councillor-members%20map%202011.pdf|title=Councillor Members Map|work=Arun District Council|access-date=28 June 2011}}{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} On West Sussex county council, the town is represented by two Conservatives and a Liberal Democrat.{{cite web|url=http://www2.westsussex.gov.uk/ds/elections/resultsofpoll2009.pdf|title=West Sussex County Council: Elections|work=West Sussex County Council|date=19 November 2009|access-date=3 January 2010|archive-date=2 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002130536/http://www2.westsussex.gov.uk/ds/elections/resultsofpoll2009.pdf|url-status=live}}

Littlehampton has one secondary school, The Littlehampton Academy, which opened in 2009, replacing the Littlehampton Community School.

For younger children there are five primary schools — Lyminster, River Beach, St. Catherine's, White Meadows and Georgian Gardens. In 2011, following a major reorganisation of primary school provision in the town, six separate junior and infant schools were replaced with four primary schools. River Beach Primary was formed from the merging of Connaught Junior with Arun Vale and Elm Grove Infants schools,{{cite web|url=http://www.edubase.gov.uk/establishment/summary.xhtml?urn=135808|title=EduBase – River Beach Primary School|work=EduBase, Department for Education|access-date=28 June 2011}}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} whilst the merger of Flora McDonald Junior and Wickbourne Infants schools brought about the creation of White Meadows.{{cite web|url=http://www.edubase.gov.uk/establishment/summary.xhtml?urn=135809|title=EduBase – White Meadows Primary School|work=EduBase, Department for Education|access-date=28 June 2011}}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Lyminster existed before the reorganisation as an infant school and has now begun a phased expansion to become a primary school,{{cite web |title=Littlehampton Primary Schools Reorganisation – Planning Littlehampton Schools for the Future Report |url=http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/CS/MIS/020708cyp9.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608080859/http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/CS/MIS/020708cyp9.pdf |archive-date=8 June 2011 |access-date=3 January 2010 |work=West Sussex County Council |df=dmy-all}} whilst St. Catherine's {{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://www.st-catherines.w-sussex.sch.uk/ |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=St Catherine's Catholic Primary School |language=en}} existed before the reorganistaion as a primary school.

File:Littlehamptonmap 1946.jpg

Littlehampton is on the A259, though this bypasses most of the town. Littlehampton is connected to the A27 south coast trunk road by the A284, which also provides the main north–south route out of the town and links to the A29 and A24. The A27 also later links with the M27. The A280 also links Littlehampton to the A24 and is a main route from the north-east.

Littlehampton is served by three railway stations: Littlehampton, Angmering and Ford.

Train services from Littlehampton are provided by Southern with direct services to Brighton, London Victoria, Gatwick Airport, East Croydon, Bognor Regis, Chichester, Portsmouth and Southampton.

The Littlehampton Ferry links the east and west banks of the Arun. The ferry operates from 31 March to 30 September between 10{{nbsp}}am and 5{{nbsp}}pm, although has been closed in recent years due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The ferry company also provided harbour tours.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}}

Gatwick Airport is an hour away to the north, Southampton Airport is an hour and a half away to the west, Chichester/Goodwood Airport is 30 minutes also to the west and Shoreham Airport is 45 minutes to the east. The Port of Dover and the Channel Tunnel about three hours to the east; Portsmouth Harbour an hour to the west and the Port of Newhaven about an hour to the east.

Littlehampton has a number of bus routes operated by Compass Travel and Stagecoach South. The bus station at Littlehampton handles anything up to 1,000 passengers a day.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}}

Littlehampton also has a small number of taxis, with taxi ranks all over the town and four different taxi companies.

File:A. R. Quinton, The Pier & Harbour Littlehampton.jpg (postcard marked 1922)]]

Littlehampton's port is based around the River Arun, which opens onto the English Channel. A small stretch of this, 5 miles out to sea and 6 miles wide, is locally known as the "Littlehampton Channel". Littlehampton started as a fishing port but now is a thriving port for thousands of leisure craft which visit from all over the UK and Europe. In 2009, use of leisure craft at Littlehampton rose to the extent that at least 200 more moorings were required.

Littlehampton is also a commercial port, handling around 50–60 ships a year from Ireland, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and France with cargo including marine aggregates, stone, marble chippings and timber. From the early 1920s David Hillyard built yachts in Littlehampton, and the company of David Hillyard Ltd continued here until 2009,[http://www.hillyardyachts.com/ Hillyard Owners Association, see 'History'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131001153426/http://www.hillyardyachts.com/ |date=1 October 2013 }} History of Hillyard Yachts , accessed 6 December 2018 producing a total of over 850 yachts.

• Mewsbrook Park
• Brookfield Park
• Rosemead Open Space
• East Beach Green
• West Beach Nature Reserve
• Norfolk Gardens
• Middle Mead
• Water Lane Recreation Ground
• St Catherines Recreation Ground
• Southfields Recreation Ground
• Linden Park Recreational Ground

{{See also|List of places of worship in Arun}}

File:St James's Church, Littlehampton.JPG

St Mary's is the Anglican parish church while St Catherine's is the principal Catholic church.{{Cite book|last=Elleray|first=D. Robert|title=Sussex Places of Worship|year=2004|publisher=Optimus Books|location=Worthing|isbn=0-9533132-7-1|page=39}} In the cemetery, which is on the northern side of the town, lies the grave of Katharine O'Shea ("Kitty O'Shea") (1845–1921), the wife of Charles Stewart Parnell.

There are two other Anglican churches: St James the Great on Arundel Road and All Saints in Wick.{{Cite book|last=Elleray|first=D. Robert|title=Sussex Places of Worship|year=2004|publisher=Optimus Books|location=Worthing|isbn=0-9533132-7-1|page=55}} Littlehampton Baptist Church, Littlehampton United Church (United Reformed and Methodist), Parkside Evangelical Church, the Arun Community Church (Evangelical), Trinity Church (Evangelical) and the Quaker Friends Meeting House also serve the town.{{cite web|url=http://www.parksidechurch.org.uk/index.php?id=7|title=Our History|year=2011|publisher=Parkside Evangelical Church|access-date=22 May 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324104200/http://www.parksidechurch.org.uk/index.php?id=7|archive-date=24 March 2012|df=dmy-all}}

The Littlehampton bonfire procession, bonfire and firework display is an annual event which has been organised by the Littlehampton Bonfire Society since 1952.{{cite web |url=http://www.littlehamptonbonfiresociety.co.uk/ |title=Littlehampton Bonfire Society |access-date=3 February 2014 |archive-date=29 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140129155518/http://www.littlehamptonbonfiresociety.co.uk/ |url-status=live }} It is part of a series of bonfire festivals organised by Sussex Bonfire Societies throughout Sussex.

Littlehampton supports a range of performance groups including Stagedoor Theatre Company, The Edwin James Festival Choir & Orchestra, The Musical Comedy Society and Players Operatic Society who perform throughout the year. It also holds a popular 'Last Night of the Proms' concert performed annually by the Littlehampton Concert Band.{{Cite web |url=http://www.littlehampton-concertband.co.uk/ |title=Littlehampton Concert Band |access-date=26 October 2005 |archive-date=3 November 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051103021932/http://www.littlehampton-concertband.co.uk/ |url-status=live }}

File:Littlehampton3.jpg

• Character actor Stanley Holloway (1890–1982) died in The Nightingale Nursing Home, Littlehampton, in 1982 aged 91.{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/01/31/obituaries/stanley-holloway-is-dead-at-91-alfred-doolittle-in-my-fair-lady.html | work=The New York Times | title=Stanley Holloway Is Dead At 91; Alfred Doolittle In 'My Fair Lady' | date=31 January 1982 | access-date=10 February 2017 | archive-date=18 February 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218110322/http://www.nytimes.com/1982/01/31/obituaries/stanley-holloway-is-dead-at-91-alfred-doolittle-in-my-fair-lady.html | url-status=live }}
• Littlehampton was the backdrop for Swanage for the first episode of series 2 of the comedy drama series, The Inbetweeners, with filming taking place on the promenade and River Arun. Also the fifth episode of series 2, when Simon goes to see his dad,{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/5061210/Interview-Simon-Bird-and-Joe-Thomas-on-The-Inbetweeners.html |title=Interview: Simon Bird and Joe Thomas on The Inbetweeners |work=Daily Telegraph |date=27 March 2009 |access-date=3 January 2010 |location=London |first=Michael |last=Deacon |archive-date=21 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100221233859/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/5061210/Interview-Simon-Bird-and-Joe-Thomas-on-The-Inbetweeners.html |url-status=live }} was filmed at the Travelodge by the Body Shop.
• Littlehampton is used as the town centre for the 'Moving On' episode of the BBC sitcom Ever Decreasing Circles
• Littlehampton appears in an episode of The Hungry Sailors on ITV.{{cite episode | title = The Hungry Sailors | url = http://www.denhams.tv/hungrysailors/ | series = Series 1, episode 14 | network = ITV | location = Littlehampton | access-date = 31 January 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140203034725/http://www.denhams.tv/hungrysailors/ | archive-date = 3 February 2014 | url-status = dead | df = dmy-all }}
• Odd Man Out, a comedy TV series from 1977 starring John Inman, was based in Littlehampton. It was about a man who leaves the safety of his Blackpool fish and chip shop to take over his deceased father's seaside rock factory in Littlehampton with his step-sister Dorothy. The programme ran for one series.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6430147.stm|title=Obituary: John Inman|date=8 March 2007|publisher=BBC|access-date=8 July 2009|archive-date=1 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301145325/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6430147.stm|url-status=live}}
• Wicked Little Letters is set in 1920s Littlehampton, based on a true story about the Littlehampton libels.{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Shola |title=Littlehampton: Wicked Little Letters based on 100-year-old Sussex scandal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-68423580 |access-date=5 October 2024 |work=BBC News |date=29 February 2024}}
• Carry On Jack, a 1964 British comedy film, makes reference to Littlehampton several times.{{Cite AV media |url=https://clip.cafe/carry-on-jack-1964/here-are-terra-firma-at-last/ |title='Here we are. Terra firma at last. - You said it was Littlehampton.- It is. - Listen,...' - Carry on Jack |date=2025-01-26 |last=Thomas |first=Gerald |language=en |access-date=2025-03-19 |via=clip.cafe}}

• Comedian and TV personality, Paul O'Grady, talks about his time living in Littlehampton before embarking on a comedy career in his autobiography.{{cite book | last = O'Grady | first = Paul | author-link =Paul O'Grady | title = The Devil Rides Out: The Second Coming. | publisher = Bantam | year =2010 | pages = 137, 144–152 | isbn = 978-0-593-06424-5}}
• Littlehampton is the setting for an important episode in British author Kazuo Ishiguro's 2005 novel Never Let Me Go.{{cite book | last = Ishiguro | first = Kazuo | author-link = Kazuo Ishiguro | title = Never Let Me Go | publisher = Faber and Faber | year = 2005 | chapter = Chapter 21 | isbn = 1-4000-4339-5 | url-access = registration | url = https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780307740991 }}
• Littlehampton Beach is the setting for Stuart Millard's Beach Diaries series of books.{{cite book | last = Millard | first = Stuart | title = The Beach Diaries 2011 | year = 2011}}{{cite book | last = Millard | first = Stuart | title = The Beach Diaries 2012 | year = 2012}}

Littlehampton Gazette is the town's weekly local newspaper.{{cite web | url=https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/about-the-council/council-news-and-campaigns/local-news-media-links/ | title=Local news media links }}

{{Main|East Beach Cafe}}

File:The East Beach Cafe, Littlehampton - geograph.org.uk - 1407279.jpg

The East Beach Cafe, designed by Heatherwick Studio, opened on the seafront of Littlehampton's east beach in July 2007.East Beach Cafe [http://www.e-architect.co.uk/england/east_beach_cafe.htm article on e-architect.co.uk] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113140626/http://www.e-architect.co.uk/england/east_beach_cafe.htm |date=13 November 2013 }}{{cite news |url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,,2099357,00.html |title=Fresh seafood served here |work=The Observer |date=10 June 2007 |access-date=4 January 2008 |location=London |first=Stephen |last=Bayley |archive-date=26 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080126112416/http://observer.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,,2099357,00.html |url-status=live }}

The building is a fully welded monocoque structure, reflecting its exposed location with a rough, weathered appearance, which Heatherwick describes as being like a piece of weathered flotsam swept up onto the beach.{{cite web | title = East Beach cafe – Design background | url = http://www.eastbeachcafe.co.uk/design-background | access-date = 4 February 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140221212658/http://www.eastbeachcafe.co.uk/design-background | archive-date = 21 February 2014 | url-status = dead | df = dmy-all }} It was built in Littlehampton, with steelwork by Littlehampton Welding Ltd and site work by Langridge Developments, another local firm.{{cite web | title = East Beach cafe – Construction | url = http://www.eastbeachcafe.co.uk/construction | access-date = 4 February 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140221212701/http://www.eastbeachcafe.co.uk/construction | archive-date = 21 February 2014 | url-status = dead | df = dmy-all }}

File:The Longest Bench seating.jpg

Littlehampton is home to Britain's longest bench.{{cite web | title = The Longest Bench, Littlehampton | publisher = Studio Weave | url = http://www.studioweave.com/projects/the-longest-bench-littlehampton/ | access-date = 4 February 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140213123122/http://www.studioweave.com/projects/the-longest-bench-littlehampton/ | archive-date = 13 February 2014 | url-status = dead | df = dmy-all }}{{cite web | title = The Longest Bench, Littlehampton, Sussex, UK | website = www.thelongestbenchintheworld.com | url = http://www.thelongestbenchintheworld.com/ | access-date = 4 February 2014 | archive-date = 28 February 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140228144301/http://www.thelongestbenchintheworld.com/ | url-status = live }} The bench was designed by Studio Weave, a London-based architecture practice and opened in mid-July 2010. It was designed based on initial ideas by children from Littlehampton's Connaught Junior school and was funded by Anita Roddick's husband Gordon and from a CABE grant from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.{{cite news | title = Littlehampton's £1m seafront seat to be a benchmark for town's future | newspaper = Littlehampton Gazette | date = 23 October 2010 | url = http://www.littlehamptongazette.co.uk/news/local/littlehampton-s-163-1m-seafront-seat-to-be-a-benchmark-for-town-s-future-1-1131232 | access-date = 4 February 2014 | archive-date = 21 February 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140221090210/http://www.littlehamptongazette.co.uk/news/local/littlehampton-s-163-1m-seafront-seat-to-be-a-benchmark-for-town-s-future-1-1131232 | url-status = live }}

The bench is a continuous structure stretching 324 metres along the majority of Littlehampton's east beach promenade and is constructed of tropical hardwood slats reclaimed from coastal groynes and landfill.{{cite web | title = The Longest Bench by Studio Weave, Littlehampton, West Sussex, UK | date = 24 November 2010 | publisher = The Architectural Review | url = http://www.architectural-review.com/buildings/the-longest-bench-by-studio-weave-littlehampton-west-sussex-uk/8608315.article | access-date = 4 February 2014 | archive-date = 22 February 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140222162836/http://www.architectural-review.com/buildings/the-longest-bench-by-studio-weave-littlehampton-west-sussex-uk/8608315.article | url-status = live }} The bench is described by Studio Weave as "a charm bracelet gifted to the town as a delicate piece of jewellery that can accommodate new and varied additions. The form of the bracelet's chain is informed by the simple seaside boardwalk together with some maths that envisages movement."

The Look and Sea centre includes the Harbour Lights café and an observation tower.{{cite web |url=http://www.lookandsea.co.uk/ |title=Look & Sea Heritage Exhibition Centre |work=Look & Sea Centre |access-date=3 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100117190731/http://www.lookandsea.co.uk/ |archive-date=17 January 2010 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} As of 2025, only the café remains open

{{Main|Harbour Park}}

File:Guarding the Fun Fair, Littlehampton - geograph.org.uk - 190853.jpg]]

Harbour Park is at the entrance of the River Arun with two restaurants, two arcades, a rollercoaster, log flume and other attractions.

A number of operators offer services out of Littlehampton harbour with ferry services across the river, sight seeing trips around the harbour, to Arundel, Brighton, Chichester and the Isle of Wight and speed boat rides to Worthing Pier, the Southampton Power Boat Show, Lymington Power Boat Show and to Cowes and Torquay for the Cowes to Torquay power boat race.{{cite web | title = About ActionBoat | publisher = ActionBoat | url = http://www.actionboat.co.uk/about-action-boat | access-date = 4 February 2014 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130515103709/http://www.actionboat.co.uk/about-action-boat | archive-date = 15 May 2013 | df = dmy-all }}{{cite web| title = Littlehampton Ferry & Harbour Tours| publisher = visitlittlehampton| url = http://www.visitlittlehampton.co.uk/see-and-do/littlehampton-ferry-and-harbour-tours-p843891| access-date = 4 February 2014| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://archive.today/20140204131203/http://www.visitlittlehampton.co.uk/see-and-do/littlehampton-ferry-and-harbour-tours-p843891| archive-date = 4 February 2014| df = dmy-all}}{{cite web| title = Littlehampton-Arundel – River Arun| publisher = Kingfisher Cruises| url = http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/Kingfisher.html| access-date = 4 February 2014| archive-date = 27 September 2013| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130927224051/http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/Kingfisher.html| url-status = live}}

Norfolk Gardens, a multi-purpose outdoor site operated by Tivoli Lifestyle, is further along the promenade. The site includes a 9-hole pitch and putt course, a refurbished 9-hole adventure golf course renamed Buccaneer Bay, tennis and bowls, and a café.{{Cite web|url=https://isslifestyle.co.uk/sites/norfolk-gardens-littlehampton/|title=Norfolk Gardens, Littlehampton {{!}} Tivoli Lifestyle|date=24 May 2016|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-12-25|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225225057/https://isslifestyle.co.uk/sites/norfolk-gardens-littlehampton/|url-status=live}}

The Littlehampton Miniature Railway runs for 800 yards from Norfolk Gardens to Mewsbrook Park and is the oldest 12¼" (311mm) gauge railway in the UK.{{cite web| title = Littlehampton Railway| publisher = Littlehampton Railway| url = http://www.littlehamptonrailway.com/| access-date = 7 February 2014| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140204190828/http://www.littlehamptonrailway.com/| archive-date = 4 February 2014| df = dmy-all}}{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Roger |date=2023-05-24 |title=Mad Bess steam locomotive to star at Littlehampton Miniature Railway's 75th anniversary |url=https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2023/05/mad-bess-steam-locomotive-to-star-at-littlehampton-miniature-railways-75th-anniversary.html |access-date=2023-05-25 |website=RailAdvent}}

Littlehampton harbour (see also Littlehampton Port above) is on the River Arun at the western side of the town, with yacht moorings. Also on the west bank of the river are Littlehampton Redoubt and Climping sand dunes.

File:Littlehampton lifeboat station - geograph.org.uk - 2684024.jpg

Littlehampton lifeboat station is one of the UK's busiest RNLI Lifeboat stations. As well as providing local search and rescue coverage, volunteer crew members also provided humanitarian help during flooding in East Pakistan over 35 years ago.{{cite web| title = Littlehampton Lifeboat Station| publisher = RNLI| url = http://rnli.org/findmynearest/station/Pages/Littlehampton-Lifeboat-Station.aspx| access-date = 7 February 2014| archive-date = 22 February 2014| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140222231604/http://rnli.org/findmynearest/station/Pages/Littlehampton-Lifeboat-Station.aspx| url-status = live}} The lifeboat station operates two boats: an Atlantic 85 class lifeboat, Renee Sherman (B-891) and a D Class Lifeboat, Ray of Hope (D-769).{{cite news|last1=Ash|first1=Tim|title=Official naming ceremony for new lifeboat at Littlehampton RNLI lifeboat station|url=http://rnli.org/NewsCentre/Pages/Official-naming-ceremony-for-new-lifeboat-at-Littlehampton-RNLI-lifeboat-station.aspx|access-date=5 August 2016|agency=RNLI|date=13 October 2014|archive-date=20 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820233141/http://rnli.org/NewsCentre/Pages/Official-naming-ceremony-for-new-lifeboat-at-Littlehampton-RNLI-lifeboat-station.aspx|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=The latest news on our new Atlantic 85 lifeboat|url=http://littlehamptonlifeboat.org.uk/2016/04/latest-news-new-atlantic-85-lifeboat/|website=littlehamptonlifeboat.org.uk|access-date=3 August 2016|archive-date=11 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011031718/http://littlehamptonlifeboat.org.uk/2016/04/latest-news-new-atlantic-85-lifeboat/|url-status=live}} The Arun class of lifeboats (in service 1971–2008) take their name from the Arun river, which comes to a head at Littlehampton, however no Arun-class lifeboats have been stationed at the station.{{cite book |last= Denton |first= Tony |title= Handbook 2009 |year= 2009 |publisher= Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society |location= Shrewsbury |pages= 26–33 }} Until the retiring of the Atlantic 75 class lifeboat, Blue Peter 1 (B-779) in 2016, Littlehampton lifeboat station had operated a lifeboat funded by viewers of the BBC television programme Blue Peter since 1967.{{cite news|title=Littlehampton's Blue Peter lifeboat to be retired|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-35595350|access-date=5 August 2016|agency=BBC|date=17 February 2016|archive-date=20 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220181336/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-35595350|url-status=live}}

Littlehampton's police station is situated just outside the town centre with a CID building and the head major incidents unit in West Sussex adjoining.{{cite web| title = Littlehampton Police Station| publisher = Sussex Police| url = http://www.sussex.police.uk/help-centre/your-local-station/littlehampton-police-station| access-date = 7 February 2014| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140222171439/http://www.sussex.police.uk/help-centre/your-local-station/littlehampton-police-station| archive-date = 22 February 2014| url-status = dead| df = dmy-all}} There was also an ambulance station adjacent to the police station, although it's not in use.{{cite web| title = South East Coast Ambulance Service – Our Locations| publisher = South East Coast Ambulance Service| url = http://www.secamb.nhs.uk/about_us/our_locations.aspx| access-date = 7 February 2014| archive-date = 2 June 2013| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130602101516/http://www.secamb.nhs.uk/about_us/our_locations.aspx| url-status = live}}

Littlehampton's fire station, which is near the town centre, maintains two water-tender ladders.{{cite web|title=Littlehampton Fire Station|url=https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/|website=www.westsussex.gov.uk|access-date=3 October 2016|archive-date=11 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011100757/https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/|url-status=live}} The station has a full-time immediate response appliance, with the second appliance covered by on-call retained firefighters. There is another fire station in East Preston with one water-tender ladder and a Red cross support unit.{{cite web| title = West Sussex County Council: Fire Stations| publisher = West Sussex County Council| url = http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/living/emergencies/fire_and_rescue_service/how_the_fire_and_rescue_servic/fire_stations.aspx#preston| access-date = 7 February 2014| archive-date = 7 October 2013| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131007071611/http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/living/emergencies/fire_and_rescue_service/how_the_fire_and_rescue_servic/fire_stations.aspx#preston| url-status = live}}

Littlehampton's hospital was demolished in 2005,{{cite news | url=http://www.littlehamptongazette.co.uk/news/local/demolition-starts-at-old-hospital-1-1127811 | title=Demolition starts at old hospital | work=Littlehampton Gazette | date=14 July 2005 | access-date=7 February 2014 | location=Littlehampton | archive-date=21 February 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221094117/http://www.littlehamptongazette.co.uk/news/local/demolition-starts-at-old-hospital-1-1127811 | url-status=live }} since then its replacement has been under debate at a local and national level.{{cite news | first=James | last=Walsh | url=http://www.littlehamptongazette.co.uk/news/health/health-news/health-plans-for-littlehampton-are-at-a-critical-stage-1-4607902 | title=Health plans for Littlehampton are at a critical stage | work=Littlehampton Gazette | date=24 December 2012 | access-date=7 February 2014 | location=Littlehampton | archive-date=21 February 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221094113/http://www.littlehamptongazette.co.uk/news/health/health-news/health-plans-for-littlehampton-are-at-a-critical-stage-1-4607902 | url-status=live }} Neighbouring Rustington has Zachary Merton Hospital, which lacks an Emergency department. It has 31 beds and other clinics.{{cite web | title = Zachary Merton Community Hospital | publisher = National Health Service | url = http://www.nhs.uk/Services/hospitals/Overview/DefaultView.aspx?id=3305 | access-date = 7 February 2014 | archive-date = 22 February 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140222023534/http://www.nhs.uk/Services/hospitals/Overview/DefaultView.aspx?id=3305 | url-status = live }} The Fitzalan Medical Group has two surgeries in Littlehampton, including the headquarters surgery just outside the town centre and one in Wick.{{cite web | title = Fitzalan Medical Group | publisher = National Health Service | url = http://www.nhs.uk/Services/gp/Overview/DefaultView.aspx?id=43481 | access-date = 7 February 2014 | archive-date = 22 February 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140222023530/http://www.nhs.uk/Services/gp/Overview/DefaultView.aspx?id=43481 | url-status = live }}

Littlehampton Town Football Club plays in the Isthmian League South East Division (8th tier), after promotion at the end of the 2021–22 season. Home matches are played at The Sportsfield on St Flora’s Road.{{Cite web |title=Golds celebrated in new documentary |url=https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/littlehamptontown/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=www.pitchero.com |language=en}}

Littlehampton Rugby Club plays in the Sussex Intermediate League, National Level 10, after promotion at the end of the 2010–11 season. Most games are played on Saturday or Sunday afternoon, either at The Littlehampton Academy or in the West/East Sussex area. The club is also involved in the local community, including the carnival, bonfire night, dragon boat racing and other charitable events.

Littlehampton is home to a detachment of the Sussex Army Cadet Force,{{Cite web |title=Sussex Army Cadets |url=https://armycadets.com/county/sussex-acf/ |access-date=2023-09-10 |website=Army Cadets UK |language=en-GB}} a volunteer youth organisation, sponsored by the Ministry of Defence, which accepts cadets aged between 12 and 18 years of age.{{Cite web |date=2021-05-26 |title=The Ministry of Defence cadet forces |url=https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-cadet-forces-and-mods-youth-work |access-date=2023-09-10 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}

The flints that make up Littlehampton's West Beach contain quite a few fossils.{{cite web |url=http://www.discoveringfossils.co.uk/littlehampton.htm |title=Littlehampton(West Sussex) |work=Discovering Fossils |year=2011 |access-date=29 March 2011 |archive-date=19 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719004417/http://www.discoveringfossils.co.uk/littlehampton.htm |url-status=live }} The flints are formed by silica from sea sponges and diatoms from around 60 to 95 million years ago. Some of the creatures become fossilised and can be seen as patterns on the outside of the flint. These are known locally as Shepherds crowns. The Littlehampton Museum{{cite web |url=http://www.littlehampton-tc.gov.uk/cgi-bin/buildpage.pl?mysql=36 |title=Littlehampton town council |work=Latest News |date=29 March 2011 |access-date=29 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311143746/http://www.littlehampton-tc.gov.uk/cgi-bin/buildpage.pl?mysql=36 |archive-date=11 March 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} occasionally organises fossil hunting walks during the school holidays.

{{Main|List of people from Littlehampton}}

Littlehampton is twinned with two towns, each of which is twinned with the others:

• Durmersheim, Germany
• Chennevières-sur-Marne, France

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category|Littlehampton}}

{{Wikivoyage}}

• [http://www.arun.gov.uk/ Arun District Council]
• [http://www.littlehampton-tc.gov.uk/ Littlehampton Town Council]
• {{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Littlehampton |short=x}}

{{West Sussex}}

{{Arun}}

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Category:Seaside resorts in England

Category:Towns in West Sussex

Category:Arun District

Category:Populated coastal places in West Sussex

Category:Beaches of West Sussex