Littlehampton Harbour Marina Watersports Tourist Information West Sussex UK

Look & Sea Visitor Centre Littlehampton

Littlehampton harbour is one of the most attractive on the South Coast. The River Arun flows down to the sea here and the harbour and marina area have seen considerable regeneration in recent years to great effect. The town's links with the sea are wonderfully explored at the Look & Sea Heritage Exhibition within the Look & Sea Centre situated just south of the station alongside the River Arun. The centre is a pleasant short level walk along the stunning Arun Parade which runs up from the seafront and Harbour Amusement Park.

The Heritage Exhibition is constantly being developed, with the Ship to Shore Gallery now well established and you can climb to the top of the Viewing Tower for spectacular views across Littlehampton's Harbour mouth. Also within the centre complex is a Youth Hostel, Littlehampton Tourist Information Centre and the Harbour Lights Cafe.

A conference room accommodating upto 60 is available on the ground floor and the centre is also licensed for Civil Wedding Ceremonies. Find out more via the Look & Sea Centre's webguide.

Look & Sea! Centre, 63-65 Surrey Street, Littlehampton, West Sussex BN17 5AW. Tel. 01903 718 984. Open daily from 9am.

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Littlehampton Marina, Harbour & Kite Surfing

A little further north up the path of the River Arun from the Look & Sea Centre and on the opposite side of the river (access by both foot bridge and road bridge) sits Littlehampton Marina. Commanding an excellent position mid-way between Brighton and Portsmouth, the Marina can accommodate upto 160 craft. Annual and daily mooring rates are available - see the Marina's weblink for details.

Facilities are extensive with 24 hour CCTV security, the Marina Cafe, Toilets and Showers and a Launderette. Both marine diesel and unleaded petrol are available from the Marina's fueling stations. Littlehampton Marina, Ferry Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex BN17 5DS. Tel. 01903 713553.

The Harbour Board's office sits near the Look & Sea Centre on Pier Road. Checkout their website link right for an extensive guide to the River Arun and Harbour information here at Littlehampton. The website lists a number of fishing and sailing vessels offering a choice of diving and fishing trips from the harbour as well as local nautical outlets including Kite Surfing suppliers and bike and kayak hire. The West Sussex coast including the Littlehampton and Rustington area is very popular for kitesurfing and other water board sports. See Airhead Board Sports based in Rustington (weblink right) for more details.

The Harbour Master, Harbour Office, Pier Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex BN17 5LR. Tel. 01903 721215. The Harbour Office is manned Monday to Friday and weekends from 8.30am to 5pm in Summer. In Winter from 9am to 12noon.

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Littlehampton Museum

As you push west along the West Sussex Coast towards Chichester you increasingly become aware of Roman settlement history. Indeed Littlehampton itself was formally just Hampton in Roman Times (Hantone in the Domesday book around AD.1086), becoming Littlehampton in the 14th century to distinguish it from larger Southampton to the west. The late 18th century saw the beginnings of Littlehampton's growth as a seaside resort with a distinctly bohemian feel. Artists and poets were attracted to the area including the likes of Byron, Constable and Shelley. Towards the late 1920s the resort developed a reputation as a family seaside haven, earning the nickname 'The Children's Paradise'. Today the modern resort of Littlehampton stays true to both these roots, alongside a new exciting programme of watersports and leisure facilities.

To explore Littlehampton's Roman history as well as its social, maritime and harbour history head to the newly refurbished Littlehampton Museum just a short walk east of the Look & Sea Centre. Exhibits focus on fascinating Roman excavations in the area including Angmering Roman villa which was excavated in the 1930s. The museum sits within a historic Manor House built between 1790 and 1830 in the town centre and boasts 5 galleries and 2 temporary ever changing exhibition areas.

A full programme of events catering particularly well for children run at the museum throughout the year. Fascinating photography of Littlehampton is on display detailing its changing face as holiday resort. Spot the rare images of Littlehampton in the late 1920s.

Littlehampton Museum, Manor House, Church Street, Littlehampton BN17 5EW. Tel. 01903 738100. Admission Free, open 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday and 10.30am to 4.30pm Saturdays.

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Littlehampton Golf Club & Rustington Golf Centre

Some fine golf links courses are along the Sussex coast and one of the best is here at Littlehampton bordering both the harbour and seafront on the west Climping side of the River Arun. Longstanding Littlehampton Golf Club is the oldest in West Sussex and benefits from an excellent drainage system which means its playable all year round.

The club got a brand new clubhouse in 1986 and is fully equipped with bar, restaurant and catering facilities. Each of the 18 holes is outlined in full via the golf club's webguide. Visitors are welcome but be ready for a challenge and you may be asked for a handicap certificate or proof of membership to another club.

Littlehampton Golf Club, 170 Rope Walk, Riverside West, Littlehampton West Sussex BN17 5DL. Tel. 01903 717170.

See also Rustington Golf Centre which offers a range of golfing facilities including Driving Range, Golf Courses and a Golf Pro Shop. Rustington Golf Centre, Golfers Lane, Angmering, West Sussex BN16 4NB. Tel.01903 850786. (see the centre's webguide right for a location map and more information).

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The Windmill Theatre & Entertainment Centre

The Windmill Theatre and Entertainment Centre just off the seafront offers a fine choice of shows including theatre, musicals, concerts and cinema. The centre can accommodate upto 213 in the auditorium and regularly hosts favourite tribute bands and the latest cinema blockbusters. See the Windmill's weblink for forthcoming shows.

The Littlehampton Players Operatic Society often perform here, with plenty too on offer for childlren around half term and school holidays. The Windmill is also a favourite for themed nights including Big Band Nights.

The Windmill Entertainment Centre, The Green, Windmill Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex BN17 5LH. Tel. 01903 722224

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Climping Beach & West Beach Local Nature Reserve

Push west of Littlehampton Harbour and the River Arun and an altogether different landscape of sand dunes begins to take shape. West Beach leading into Climping beach is a Site of Special Scientific Interest containing a mix of sand dunes, sand flats, shingle and plants.

On the sand flats birdwatchers can expect to see plenty of wading birds seeking out the many worms, snails and shellfish that thrive here. The Yellow horned poppy is evident on the rare vegetated shingle (mainly flint pebbles in Sussex) whilst in the sand dunes marram grass is in abundance and serves as a natural binder, without which much of the sand would blow away.

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