Public House should you feel in need of refreshment. Then down past the oyster pond, the amusement park and finally onto the East Pier from where you can look east along the beach and promenade and west across the river to where the west beach with its nature reserve, sand dunes and cafe are. The lighthouse by the pier was built in 1948 and replaced 2 Victorian ones locally called ‘Salt and Pepper’ because of their resemblance to salt and pepper pots!
Today the east bank of the Arun at Littlehampton shows little sign of its past as
a bustling port with, wharfs, a shipbuilding centre with plenty of coastal fishing
vessels (see the History Section for more information). It does, however, have its
own charm with a picturesque promenade lined with houses and boats moored at its
side, a Royal National Lifeboat Institution station, the Look and Sea Visitor Centre
and at its southern end shops leading down to the amusement park, east pier and the
East Beach Promenade with its beach, various attractions and the award winning East
Beach Cafe.
The west bank remains pleasantly under developed unlike the east bank. There are
still some boatyards doing repairs and some modest boat building along with some
picturesque derelict areas as well as plenty of moorings for today’s yachts. To the
west of this there is either countryside or the greens and fairways of Littlehampton
Golf Club. This course provides some beautiful views and is a source of quite a few
of my pictures. A little more of its past is still visible than on the east bank.
Once again please visit the History Section for more information on the history of
the Arun.
As with the east bank I have taken the starting point for the Aruns entry into Littlehampton
as the A259 road bridge over the river and, obviously, the end point is where it
flows out into the English Channel. To make this section easier to follow it might
be worth loading a Map from Google to see where places are in relation to my description.
For the purposes of this site I am taking the starting point for the Aruns entry into Littlehampton as the A259 road bridge over the river and, obviously, the end point is where it flows out into the English Channel. To make this section easier to follow it might be worth loading a Map from Google to see where certain roads, etc are in relation to my description. The northern part of the river bank between the road bridge and the present day footbridge is occupied firstly by a small industrial estate and then by the old Railway Wharf.. In its heyday goods were loaded and unloaded and the cross channel ferry operated from here. Today it is still used for the unloading of sand and gravel dredged from the Channel and other
Looking north from footbridge. In the larger image the roadbridge can be seen in the distance.
2009
The ‘Mungo sailing past the footbridge. 2009
aggregates. A number of different ships unload at this wharf having first been piloted upriver and through the retractable footbridge. This footbridge is a good vantage point for some pleasant views up and down the river and the old Old Customs House (built 1864) is clearly visible as is The Arun View Public House also dating from 1864. At this point the riverside is not accessible and a short walk down River Rd is required before an alleyway allows you to regain the river bank. Here there are modern flats lining the walkway with boats moored on your right and some good views across the river to the west bank. Walking a few hundred metres down here brings you to the Look & Sea Visitor Centre, The RNLI station and the ramp down to the river used to launch boats. Also the Aruns collection of Swans often hang out here in the hope of being fed! Heading further south along the walkway eventually brings you to Pier Road and its parade of shops. Around here you can hire boats for fishing trips, or sail up river to Arundel. Also there is the Nelson
View South From Footbridge. 2008
The Arun View, Wharf Rd: 2009
The Steam Packet (Sadly Shut), River Road; 2009
Walkway heading south: 2009
Looking north & across to w. bank
Looking north to Look & Sea Centre
The ‘Salt & Pepper’ Lighthouses c1925
Site of Harvey’s Shipyard
Littlehampton Golf Course
Littlehampton Golf Course
Sunset over the river and west pier
Harvey shipbuilding yard was and it is worth taking note of the buildings on the left. At the bottom of Ropewalk is a footpath on the right that runs west alongside the golf course to Clymping Gap, ahead is the service road to the Littlehampton Golf Club and the West Beach. Just to the left of this is another footpath which leads you back to the river bank. Here you can explore some of the old disused inlets as you walk down. After a short detour to pass the Arun Yacht Club’s premises you can rejoin the bank of the river and stroll down to the west beach. All the while you have some good views back across the river to the east bank. Arriving at the car park there is the newly re-opened West Beach Cafe, a path through the sand dunes which take you past the 19th Century Fort and access to the west beach itself with its views east and west along the coast and the impressive wooden structure that is the west pier. The stretch of beach and dunes heading west are the last undeveloped stretch of countryside between Brighton and Bognor Regis, so please keep it unspoilt by either placing your litter in the bins by the cafe or taking it home with you.
Chain Ferry c1900. Steam Packet Pub in the Background
There is a footpath that runs along the west bank and as you come under the road bridge there is a gate giving you access to Littlehampton Marina with its modern facilities. The marina extends for quite a long way and the front entrance is in Ferry Road by the footbridge across the Arun. The bank of the Arun is not accessible at this point and a short walk down Ropewalk is required. It was here that the famous
Crossing the Arun has always proved problematical and although there was a ferry
in the 17th Century and probably earlier the only bridge across the Arun was further
upstream at Arundel. It was not until 1908 that the Littlehampton swing bridge was
opened but by then there had been a regular chain ferry service running since 1825.
Now the road bridge has moved further north and the old swing bridge has been replaced
by the footbridge that we see today. For further information on this go to the History
Section of the site
Walking Along the East Bank
