Located between Brighton and Chichester on the edge of the South Downs, Littlehampton combines wide sandy beaches, independent cafés, family attractions, riverside walks and classic British seaside nostalgia, all without the crowds you often get elsewhere along the south coast.
Whether you’re planning a family day out, a relaxed weekend by the sea, or a quick escape from London by train, there are plenty of things to do in Littlehampton for every type of visitor.
You can spend the morning exploring the waterfront and harbour, stop for fresh seafood overlooking the beach, ride a miniature railway, play a round of golf beside the coast, or simply settle into one of the town’s beach cafés and watch the tide roll in.
This guide covers the best things to do in Littlehampton, including attractions for adults, activities for kids, restaurants, pubs, beaches, and practical travel tips for planning a day trip.
Are there any things to do in Littlehampton for adults?
Littlehampton is often associated with family seaside holidays, but there’s plenty here for adults too. The town has an increasingly good food scene, scenic coastal walks, waterside pubs, independent coffee shops and one of the most distinctive modern cafés on the south coast.
Littlehampton Museum
One of the best places to start is Littlehampton Museum, which tells the story of the town from its earliest archaeological history through to its Victorian seaside boom. Housed inside the Grade II-listed Manor House near the High Street, the museum is free to enter and surprisingly extensive for a smaller coastal town.
Inside, you’ll find exhibits covering Roman settlement, fossils discovered locally, maritime history and the evolution of Littlehampton as a holiday destination. The museum regularly hosts temporary exhibitions and community events throughout the year, making it worth revisiting if you’re local to Sussex.
Address: Manor House, Church Street, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 5EW
Phone: 01903 738100
Website: www.littlehamptonmuseum.co.uk
Top tip: The museum is around five minutes on foot from Littlehampton railway station, making it an easy addition to a day trip itinerary.
Littlehampton Golf Club
Golfers visiting the Sussex coast should make time for Littlehampton Golf Club, one of the oldest golf clubs in West Sussex and one of the few true links courses in the county. Founded in 1889, the course sits beside the River Arun and the coastline, with sea air and changing coastal winds creating a very different experience from inland parkland golf.
The 18-hole course has gained increasing recognition in recent years and is known for its fast-running fairways and traditional links layout. Even if you’re not playing, the clubhouse restaurant and terrace have excellent views across the course and river.
Visitors can book tee times in advance, and there are practice facilities available for newer players wanting to improve their short game before heading out onto the course.
Address: 170 Rope Walk, Riverside West, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 5DL
Phone: 01903 717170
Website: www.littlehamptongolf.co.uk
Top tip: Because the club sits close to the coast, weather conditions can completely change the experience from one round to the next, which regular golfers often say is part of the appeal.
What are some things to do in Littlehampton for kids?
Littlehampton is one of the best family-friendly seaside destinations in West Sussex. The beaches are wide and sandy, many attractions are within walking distance of one another, and there’s enough to keep children entertained for an entire weekend.
Out of Bounds
Just outside Littlehampton in Angmering, Out of Bounds is one of the biggest activity centres in the area and a reliable option if the weather turns. There’s a huge mix of indoor and outdoor activities, including bowling, laser tag, soft play, high ropes, climbing walls, adventure golf and jumping pillows.
Because everything is located on one site, it works especially well for families with children of different ages. The venue also has an on-site café and regular school holiday activities.
Address: Golfers Lane, Angmering, West Sussex, BN16 4NB
Phone: 01903 788588
Website: out-of-bounds.co.uk
Top tip: Parents visiting during peak summer weekends are usually advised to book activities ahead of time, especially bowling and soft play sessions, which can fill up quickly during school holidays.
Harbour Park Escape Room
Harbour Park is best known for its amusement arcade and rides, but the escape room has become one of the most popular family activities in Littlehampton. It’s designed to be accessible for beginners while still giving older children and adults enough of a challenge.
Because it’s located directly beside the promenade and amusement park, families can easily combine the escape room with arcades, rides, ice cream stops and time on the beach without needing to travel elsewhere.
Address: Harbour Park, Windmill Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 5LH
Phone: 01903 721215
Website: www.harbourpark.com/silver-wolf-quest-escape-room
Top tip: This attraction works particularly well on rainy afternoons or as a break from the beach during summer weekends.
What are the best places to eat in Littlehampton?
Littlehampton’s food scene has exploded in recent years, with stylish beachfront restaurants and independent cafés now sitting alongside traditional fish and chip shops and classic seaside pubs.
The Beach Club
The Beach Club has become one of the standout seafront restaurants in Littlehampton. Located directly beside the beach, it combines coastal views with a menu focused on fresh seafood, grilled dishes and relaxed small plates.
The atmosphere is more modern than you might expect from a traditional seaside town, particularly during summer evenings when the outdoor seating fills up with people watching the sunset over the coast.
Address: 70-71 Marine Parade, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 5EL
Phone: 01903 718987
Website: thebeachlittlehampton.com
Top tip: Cocktails and seafood platters are especially popular here during warmer months, and the large terrace makes it one of the best places in Littlehampton for outdoor dining by the sea.
East Beach Café
East Beach Café is probably Littlehampton’s most recognisable building. Designed by Thomas Heatherwick, the curved timber-and-steel structure has become an architectural landmark on the south coast.
Large windows look directly onto the beach and sea, and tables outside are especially popular on sunny mornings. The café regularly appears in architecture and travel features thanks to its distinctive design and seafront position.
The restaurant sits directly on the beachfront and specialises in fresh seafood, fish and chips, locally sourced ingredients and seasonal menus. Even if you only stop for coffee, it’s worth visiting for the setting alone.
Address: The Promenade, Sea Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 5GB
Phone: 01903 731903
Website: eastbeachcafe.co.uk
The George Inn
For something more traditional, The George Inn offers a classic Sussex pub atmosphere close to the centre of town. Expect hearty pub food, Sunday roasts, local ales and a more relaxed pace than the busy seafront restaurants.
The pub regularly hosts quiz nights, live music and seasonal events, giving it more of a local community atmosphere than many tourist-focused coastal venues.
Address: 14 Surrey Street, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 5BG
Phone: 01903 713185
Website: www.thegeorgelittlehampton.co.uk
Top tip: This is a good option during colder months or after a walk along the River Arun.
What are the best places to drink in Littlehampton?
Whether you want speciality coffee, a riverside pint or somewhere relaxed after dinner, Littlehampton has plenty of good independent places to get a drink.
Pier Road Coffee and Art
Pier Road Coffee and Art is one of the town’s most interesting independent businesses. The venue showcases work from local artists while also serving coffee, cakes and light lunches.
The atmosphere is noticeably different from a standard café, with exhibitions, events and creative workshops running throughout the year. It’s a particularly good stop if you’re spending the day exploring the harbour area, and the independent feel gives it a more creative atmosphere than chain coffee shops elsewhere on the south coast.
Address: 1-2 Pier Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 5BA
Phone: 07941 211272
Website: www.pierroadcoffeeart.co.uk
The Arun View Inn
The Arun View Inn sits beside the harbour and offers one of the best waterfront positions in town. The large outdoor seating area looks across the river and marina, making it especially busy during warm weekends. Because of its location near the harbour mouth, it’s also a good place to stop after coastal walks towards Climping Beach or the River Arun footpaths.
Address: Wharf Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 5DD
Phone: 01903 726999
Website: www.arunviewinn.co.uk
Top tip: This is a convenient stop if you’re walking between the station, harbour and west beach.
What are some must-see attractions in Littlehampton?
There are several attractions in Littlehampton that visitors return to year after year, especially during summer.
Harbour Park
Harbour Park is the classic British seaside attraction in Littlehampton, combining fairground rides, arcades, indoor attractions and family entertainment right beside the beach. The attraction first opened in the 1930s and still keeps much of that nostalgic British seaside atmosphere, even though many of the rides and facilities have been modernised over the years.
You’ll find traditional amusement machines, dodgems, soft play areas and smaller rides aimed at younger children, along with larger attractions for older kids.
Address: Windmill Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 5LH
Phone: 01903 721215
Website: harbourpark.com
Littlehampton Miniature Railway
The Littlehampton Miniature Railway runs through Mewsbrook Park and remains one of the town’s most popular family attractions. The heritage railway operates during the main visitor season and offers short rides through the park on miniature steam and diesel locomotives.
The railway has been operating since 1948 and continues to be run largely by volunteers and enthusiasts passionate about preserving miniature railway heritage.
Address: Mewsbrook Park, Sea Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 5DL
Phone: 01903 717171
Website: www.lmrailway.co.uk
Tip tip: For younger children especially, this is usually one of the highlights of a Littlehampton day trip.
Mewsbrook Park
Mewsbrook Park is one of the best green spaces in Littlehampton and works well for families wanting a quieter break from the beachfront. There’s a boating lake, play areas, gardens, cafés and plenty of open grass for picnics. The park also links directly to East Beach and the miniature railway.
Address: Sea Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 5DL
Tip tip: During summer, pedalos and small boats operate on the lake, while the wider park area often hosts local events and community activities.
Littlehampton Fort
Littlehampton Fort dates back to the 1850s and was originally constructed as part of Britain’s coastal defences. While relatively small compared with larger historic forts elsewhere on the south coast, it remains an interesting stop during a riverside or beach walk.
The fort sits near the harbour entrance and offers a glimpse into Littlehampton’s maritime history.
Address: Fort Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 5DF
Website: historicengland.org.uk
Top tip: Although the fort itself is not fully open as a large visitor attraction, the exterior and surrounding coastal area still attract history enthusiasts and walkers interested in Victorian military heritage.
What are the best things to see in Littlehampton?
One of the biggest reasons people visit Littlehampton is the scenery. The town combines open coastline, sandy beaches, riverside views and wide promenades that are ideal for slower-paced days by the sea.
West Beach
West Beach is quieter and more natural than the busier East Beach area. Backed by sand dunes and nature reserves, it’s a good place for longer coastal walks and sunset views.
The beach has become increasingly popular with paddleboarders, dog walkers and people looking for a less commercial stretch of coastline.
Address: West Beach, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 5GB
Top tip: At low tide, the beach opens out into wide sandy stretches that feel very different from the pebbled sections you find elsewhere along parts of the Sussex coast.
East Beach
East Beach is the main family beach in Littlehampton, with long stretches of sand, nearby cafés, amusement arcades and easy access to the promenade.
The beach regularly attracts families from across Sussex because of its combination of soft sand, nearby facilities and easy rail access from London and the south coast.
Address: Sea Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 5GB
Top tip: During summer, this is where most visitors base themselves for the day.
The Long Bench
The Long Bench is one of Littlehampton’s most distinctive landmarks. Stretching along the seafront promenade, the public artwork doubles as seating and includes thousands of individually inscribed wooden slats.
The bench was designed by Studio Weave and forms part of a wider regeneration project that helped reshape Littlehampton’s seafront in the early 2010s.
Address: Littlehampton Promenade, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 5GB
Top tip: It’s become one of the town’s most photographed features and a surprisingly good place to stop with coffee and watch the sea.
River Arun harbour and waterfront
The River Arun waterfront is one of the nicest areas to explore on foot in Littlehampton. Fishing boats, riverside pubs, footbridges and marina views give this part of town a completely different atmosphere from the beachfront.
Walking along the harbour towards the river mouth is particularly good in the early evening when the light catches the boats and waterfront buildings.
Address: River Road and Harbour Area, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 5DH
Top tip: Keep an eye out for the harbour master’s area and small fishing boats still operating from the river, which help preserve Littlehampton’s connection to the sea and local fishing industry.
How to plan a day trip to Littlehampton by train
Littlehampton is one of the easiest Sussex seaside towns to reach by rail. Direct trains run regularly from London Victoria with journey times typically around 1 hour 40 minutes, while there are also straightforward connections from Brighton, Chichester and Portsmouth.
The railway station is conveniently positioned within walking distance of most major attractions, including the museum, harbour, promenade and beaches.
For a simple Littlehampton day trip itinerary, you could:
- Start with coffee near the harbour
- Walk along the River Arun waterfront
- Visit Littlehampton Museum
- Have lunch at East Beach Café or The Beach Club
- Spend the afternoon at Harbour Park or on the beach
- Finish with drinks overlooking the river before taking the train home
Because so much of Littlehampton is walkable, you can comfortably see the main attractions without needing a car.
If you’re travelling from London, booking advance rail tickets can often reduce the cost significantly, especially for weekend journeys during summer. Travelling earlier in the morning also gives you more time to enjoy the beaches before peak crowds arrive.
Littlehampton works particularly well as a summer day trip from London, but it’s also worth visiting outside peak season. Autumn and winter walks along the seafront and harbour have a quieter atmosphere, and many cafés and pubs stay open year-round.
If you’re looking for a classic British seaside town with wide beaches, independent food spots, family attractions and straightforward rail connections, Littlehampton is one of the best places to visit on the Sussex coast.
