LA Pebbles On The Beach 2009

History Of Littlehampton

Littlehampton is steeped in history. Its origins date back to Roman Times, when it was known as Hampton. It wasn’t until the 14^th Century that it became Little Hampton - this differentiated it from the larger Southampton.

As with many seaside towns, it has seen its share of bloody times. In 1136 the forces of Empress Matilda landed here to begin her war with King Stephen.

The town has been a haven for creatives over the years, with Percy Bysshe Shelley, Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Lord Byron all coming to savour the peace and tranquillity. More recently, fans of Ronnie Barker will be interested to know that he had a property in South Terrace and it is thought that the series Open All Hours was based on his local corner shop in Norfolk Road, Littlehampton. In addition to this the 30AU (Assault Unit) was based at the Marine Pub in Littlehampton and these men were the basis for Ian Fleming’s James Bond.

The River Arun

Littlehampton has a beautiful natural harbour at the mouth of the River Arun. The harbour provides a safe haven for all leisure craft as well as being a small commercial port.

The River Arun drains over 376 square miles of land, nearly all of which is in the county of West Sussex, through its entrance at Littlehampton. This is believed to be the largest catchment area of any river between the Medway and the Tamar along the south coast. If one imagines a bath as the catchment area and the plug hole as the mouth of the river, then it is a remarkably big bath and a remarkably small plug hole - just 30 metres or 100 feet in width at the entrance. The river also has the reputation for being the second fastest flowing in the country.

Littlehampton has been a port since Roman Times, but it only overtook Arundel as the river’s main harbour in the 1820’s. Maritime trade was the most important driver of Littlehampton’s economy until the railway first steamed into town in 1863. The new railway changed the face of the industrial areas of the town and brought holiday makers into the area - beginning the town’s booming leisure industry. Littlehampton had already officially been a town for a decade by this point and the motto - "Progress" (which still stands as the town’s motto) - must have seemed exceedingly appropriate.

If you get under the skin of Littlehampton, you’ll uncover all sorts of interesting facts. For example, those of us young (or old) enough to remember, the first ever Blue Peter lifeboat was (and still is) stationed at Littlehampton, the lifeboat service has been in operation since 1884.

The harbour limits extend for six miles from the sea to the old bridge road at Arundel although navigation is possible for small craft as far as Stopham Road Bridge, a distance of 20 miles. There are, however, several low bridges to negotiate if attempting this passage and at low water shallows will be found at Warningcamp, Ford, North of Stoke Bridge, the Black Rabbit Hotel and in the vicinity of Offham Bridge.

Sussex By The Sea

Sussex by the Sea embraces not only Littlehampton but the well known seaside resort of Bognor Regis and the historic town of Arundel, surrounded by timeless villages, unspoiled coastline and the South Downs , an area designated as one of natural outstanding beauty, provides breathtaking views. For nature lovers there are marshes, rolling chalk downland, woodlands, meadows, rivers and wetlands - a haven of habitats for wildlife, rare birds, butterflies and plants.

This scenic and diverse area has been welcoming visitors for almost 1,000 years - since Roger de Montgomery, one of William the Conqueror’s most trusted and powerful barons, built his magnificent castle dominating the Arundel skyline and the quaint mediaeval town below.

700 years later, Sir Richard Hotham created the first purpose-built seaside resort at Bognor, honoured with the royal suffix " Regis" by King George V in 1929. Award-winning beaches, the largest family entertainment centre on the south coast and more sunshine hours that almost any other place in Britain is among its attractions.