A Day Trip To Littlehampton Beach
When we woke up the other week and saw the weather was going to dry, we thought what better way to celebrate our wedding anniversary than to take a trip to the seaside. But where to? Living just outside London in the home counties means the south coast is never too far away. A couple of hours from our front door and we can explore Sussex, Dorset, and Bournemouth. In the end, we opted to take a trip to Littlehampton Beach in West Sussex – just a mere 80 minutes drive, it was a town completely new to us and Monkey was super excited about the prospect of seeing the sea.
Things to do at Littlehampton Beach
Not only does Littlehampton have two award-winning beaches – West Beach Littlehampton and East Beach Littlehampton, but it also had a large seafront green with a play park, a harbour, a Sea Life Centre, a miniature railway, mini golf and a bustling promenade. Oh, and did I mention the amusement arcade, fun fair, and a ferry boat ride over to West Beach during the summer?
Exploring Littlehampton Beach
We easily found our way to Littlehampton Beach seafront and parked up in the main car park situated next to Mewsbrook Park Boating Lake. Monkey was a little disappointed that the pedalos were not in use. But he was soon distracted by the sound of delighted screams from children in the nearby Harbour Park.
We managed to steer him away long enough to walk along the River Arun and watch the boats sail by into the marina, then headed towards the sea, passing the estuary and seeing fisherman patiently waiting for their catch.
As soon as we saw the sea, we all jumped down onto Littlehampton’s East Beach’s pebbles and ran straight towards it. Monkey challenged us to a stone-throwing throwing competition, but that was abandoned when he thought running away from the waves was much more fun.
I was famished, it was a while until dinner, but too late for lunch, there was nothing else for it but to get a portion of chips to stave our hunger. We also treated Monkey to an ice-cream, and we spent a pleasant 15 minutes just enjoying the view.
Kids Days Out in Sussex – Fun at Littlehampton Beach
While sitting there, we noticed a little train on wheels chugging towards us. “Can we go on that please?’ asked Monkey. Even though it was quicker to walk towards Norfolk Gardens which has the mini-golf, pitch and putt and a pirate ship, we hopped on and laughed as Monkey waved at passers-by. However, we were little gutted to realise there is actually a miniature railway that runs from the Gardens to back to Mewsbrook Park. Which I think would have been much more fun! And more cost effective – it cost us £7 for a return ride when we could have walked it in 10 minutes! Maybe next time.
Littlehampton Funfair
Monkey hadn’t forgotten about Harbour Park and was quick to remind us of our promise to take him there. As soon as we walked in and saw the bumper cars, he was off. There are several rides that are tailored for children, young and old, including a small log flume, slides, a rollercoaster, trampolines and amusement games. You can exchange cash for tokens at the various machines, but it does add up. Most of the rides cost four tokens which is the equivalent of £2. He loved it, though, and we spent some time watching him enjoy his thrills and spills.
After we managed to pry him away, we took a long walk along the river towards the harbour, stopping along the way to wave at more boats and checking out all the little shops, restaurants, bar and cafes along the way.
Once we reached the end at the Look and Sea Life Centre, which has an interactive exhibition of the history of Littlehampton’s shipbuilding industry and the Visitors Centre, we took a quick peek into the neighbouring RNLI Station – and Monkey was most impressed with the gigantic lifeboat being washed down.
The Gravy Boat CarveryLittlehampton Beach
By this time, he was knackered and hungry. Having seen a promising looking restaurant back towards the promenade, we headed there hoping to get a table. As luck would have it, there was a spare one and we were seated quickly in a quirky restaurant called The Gravy Boat. We all enjoyed a delicious and reasonably priced meal – hubby couldn’t resist the fish and chips, Monkey opted for pizza and I went for the carvery – lashings of gravy and three types of roasted meat. There really was something to cater for all tastes on the menu.
We were glad of the stroll back to the car to walk off our dinner, but it also meant we got to enjoy the scenery one last time before making our way home. And we definitely agreed we’d come back again – and perhaps take the boat over to the West Beach Littlehampton to discover the sand dunes and other attractions.
Littlehampton may not be on the grand scale of some other seaside towns but for such a small part of West Sussex it certainly packs a punch. There’s so much to see and do, and for families, it combines the perfect location of the coast as well as historical Arundel Castle right around the corner, and the majestic South Downs. Monkey told us that it was ‘his best holiday ever’. Wise words from someone so young – proving that you don’t have to go too far to have a brilliant, fun-filled day out in Sussex.
what a nice day! those chips look great!
I do love a day at the seaside – and this is a bit I don’t know but sand, fish, chips and ice cream sound good!
Who can beat that combo. I love it! 🙂
It sounds like there’s enough there to keep Monkey busy for a week. What a nice way to spend a day.
Looks lovely. And happy anniversary!
Thank you Corey!
Monkey reminds me so much of my son at that age – and how a day at the seaside was pretty much a perfect day out.
Can’t get any better than fish and chips and miniature trains!
Forgot to pop on my #mondayescapes hashtag!
He would do that every weekend if he had a choice. Forget fancy holidays!
I’d really love to visit more little British beach towns! Looks lovely!
They are lots of fun
Mmm fish & chips! Living in Scotland I am sad I never get to explore the south coast!
Snap the other way round! You have some stunning coastline near you though!
Perfect day out! I do love some time by the English seaside and good to hear this isn’t too far from London…if the gorgeous weather continues we’ll be looking for more UK beach options. Thanks for hosting #mondayescapes
Gosh here’s hoping!
Looks like the perfect day out – sun, sand and fish and chips!!
Can’t beat it!
love those small coastal towns in the UK. I’ve been to Bournemouth, but the weather was so and so when I visited despite being late August (I know…the weather in the UK is very unpredictable)!
It bloody is! Which is why us Brits go mad when the sun comes out! 🙂
Beautiful photos! What a lovely day #MondayEscapes
Kate | http://www.petiteadventures.org/
Thank you, it really was
Oh I just love the British Seaside! As you’ll know from my constant posts about the delights of the Suffolk Coast! Fish and chips, beach, amusement rides…Such a fabulous day out. I’ve not been to Littlehampton yet but must put it on my list. #MondayEscapes
I really want to explore more of the Suffolk coast too. I haven’t been for a good number of years!
I’ve never been out there but I imagine it’s like going to little beach towns out here in California. I love doing that and love all the photos! The food especially looks delicious 🙂
Thank you 🙂
Despite the south coast offering the closest beach options to us I’m ashamed to say I’ve never been to Littlehampton. It sounds like you had the perfect day out – chips, ice cream and rides sound great to me! #Mondayescapes
We’re not too brilliant for going to the seaside either! In the summer, I tend to avoid them because they’re so busy, so we try to cram in as much in the Spring!
It looks like you had a fab day, kids just love the seaside don’t they? And you cant go to the beach and not have fish and chips x
I still love the seaside too! I get giddy with excitement! x
Sounds like a really fun day out. I love the pebble beach and the fish and chips 🙂 #MondayEscapes
They were delicious! 🙂
I LOVE everything about this post – the delicious looking fish n chips, those colourful huts and the sea, of course 🙂
A good trip to the seaside does everyone good! 🙂
I really admire your take on your son’s perspective of visiting Littlehampton. The picture of his arms outstretched to the ocean looks like he’s embracing it all–it’s a wonderful point of view! It’s always wonderful to find places that have so much to offer and are often overlooked.
Thank you, he does love posing for pictures. I wonder how long that will last?! We love finding new places in the UK, there’s so much to still explore
Littlehampton seems like a fun little getaway place! I would go there just for the fish and chips 🙂
Oh we do have good fish and chips in the UK!
What a lovely day, I can’t believe how clear the water is and that amusement park looks fun for all ages.
I know! It’s hard to believe this is the UK! 🙂
That first photo of your son is so cute. It is like he is the master of the beach. Glad you had a great time for your anniversary. I like to celebrate special occasions by going out to a new place.
Thank you! He loves screaming at the top of his lungs, too 🙂
What a lovely day out. I miss carveries – you can’t beat a good roast with gravy!
It was the most immense carvery! I’m still thinking about it 🙂
I love little amusement parks like that, although I agree they can get pricey if you want to go on several rides. Sounds like a great day!
It was, thank you for stopping by
I love those little British beach chalets – we just were in Whitby on the North Sea coast and we fell in love with them! Cheers!
Oh I love Whitby!
Looks like such a great day out! Your photos are fantastic. And those chips look scrumptious! I’m hoping to visit some coastal towns over the next months and Littlehampton looks like such a lovely place to visit. Thanks for sharing #MondayEscapes
Thank you so much. Chips and the sea air are a winning combo, that’s for sure!
Whenever we drive up to Kent from Devon to visit family my two always get very excited about going past Arundel Castle. They think they are going to see Olaf!
We use to live in East Sussex but very rarely ventured into West Sussex, this place looks like a lovely place for a day out. #MondayEscapes
It really is a stunning part of the UK. We also went to Arundel and loved it!
My husband, who comes from a place a lot further away from the sea than anywhere in the UK, is somewhat fascinated by our access and we spent quite a bit of time trying out the beaches and seaside towns nearish to London. And funnily enough, the kids think the same as yours. Nothing like a bit of sea, although I always felt it was always more fun when it wasn’t peak season and blazing hot sunshine.
I really do, I tend to stay away from the coast when everyone else goes. I like walking along the beach with no one there!
Love it when kids claim they’ve had “their best holiday ever”. You know you’ve chosen the right vacation when they say it.
By the way, I hope hubby didn’t have to wait long enough to devour on that fish and chips (after you’ve taken the best photo of it haha!).
You’re so right Boots, he was starving!