River Arun

From the 1540s until the 1840s the river was used as Arundel’s port, but the arrival of the railways and changes to coastal shipping made Littlehampton the principal port town. 

In the 19th century, The Wey and Arun Canal and Portsmouth and Arundel Canal were built which established an inland route for trade between the south coast and London. This increased Littlehampton’s importance as a centre for trade and industry. Both canal systems closed to freight towards the end of the century as they were not profitable. 

Today, Littlehampton Harbour Board looks after the river between the mouth and Arundel Bridge. Commercially, the harbour caters for recreational activities such as motorised leisure craft, kayaking, canoeing, paddle-boarding, dragon boat racing, and fishing.  

The local authority is named after the river that flows through it. 

River Arun has been used as a harbour for centuries with evidence of use in Roman times. Originally Arundel was the major port, not least because ships could be protected from possible attack. The creation of a coastal battery at the mouth of the Arun in 1769 provided protection to Littlehampton and gradually coastal traffic used Littlehampton in preference to Arundel. The opening of the Wey and Arun canal in 1816 and then the arrival of the railways in mid-century accelerated the decline of Arundel as a port and Littlehampton grew in importance.

Over the years work has been done to maintain Littlehampton harbour. The banks were reinforced and jetties built out into the sea to protect the river mouth. Access suffers from the coastal drift of shingle across the river mouth which creates a bar and restricts traffic at low water.

Today, the harbour is managed by Littlehampton Harbour Board who are responsible for safety, navigation, and some of the harbour’s infrastructure.

Littlehampton eventually lost out to the bigger and deeper harbours at Portsmouth, Shoreham, Newhaven and elsewhere as it is not able to accommodate the much larger ships used nowadays. The railway between Brighton and Portsmouth bypasses Littlehampton, which also reduces opportunities for trade. The harbour now focusses on, leisure activities as commercial trade has declined. The harbour has the space and facilities to offer excellent moorings for small boats.

The first lifeboat station opened in Littlehampton in 1884. In 1967, the first ever Blue Peter lifeboat, Blue Peter 1, paid for by donations raised on the popular children’s TV show, was stationed in a garage on the east bank of the river Arun. In 2016, after 49 years, the Blue Peter era at Littlehampton came to an end. The original boat has been replaced three times, funded by subsequent Blue Peter appeals, each boat bearing the same moniker, Blue Peter.

In 1972, a Marina was developed on the West Bank of the harbour. The east bank of the harbour underwent a significant regeneration scheme from 2001 to 2003. New public walkways, moorings, lifeboat station, Harbour Board offices, and residential properties completely redeveloped the waterfront. Before, the area had become derelict industrial wasteland. It is now an attractive and welcoming area for residents and visitors to enjoy.

An across-channel ferry service operated in the 19th century between Littlehampton and Honfleur, France. The railway used to have a spur along the bank of the river to make the transportation of goods from rail to boat, quayside, easier. The operator of the line ran a ferry service on River Road – where the Steam Packet pub is – that transported both freight and passengers. The original service ran only twice a week but the frequency later went up to four crossings a week due to increased demand. The ferry ceased operating from Littlehampton in the 1880s, transferring to Newhaven where it continues to operate. 

For over 150 years Littlehampton was an important trading point. In its heyday the port saw ships travelling to and from all parts of the world. The most profitable worldly trade was in wool from the many sheep grazed along the South Downs. Shipments of sheep and wool came in and out of Littlehampton Harbour throughout the 19th century.  

Trade grew in the mid-1850s and it was at this time that the Robinson family set up their famous shipping business. A sawmill handled the timber brought into the port and corn, butter, cheese, and fruit were also imported. Coastal colliers ran from the North East of England, carrying coal to the town during the late 1880s. The coal trade survived up until 1952.  

During the 1880s a further Wharf, known as the Baltic Wharf, was built to deal with grain, and timber from Scandinavia.  

Fishing was also profitable. In 1869 there were 189 fishing boats registered in the port, manned by 353 men and 11 boys. Fishermen would catch varieties of fish, lobster and crab in the English Channel throughout the late 1800s and the early 1900s. The fish caught were sold in local markets or small stores.  

Brickmaking was recorded in Littlehampton in the 1800s.  

Some commercial fishing has continued but port trade has nonetheless reduced. The harbour now increasingly focuses on leisure activities. Diving is popular off the coast, with chartered boats operating out of the harbour for diving enthusiasts.