Littlehampton Museum

Littlehampton Museum Littlehampton Museum tells the story of this sunny seaside town from pre-history to the present day. Admission is free, as are all events and exhibitions.

Littlehampton Museum offers a fascinating insight into this community’s history. Explore a variety of exciting galleries, many with audio points and interactive elements to help guide you through the story of the town. Staff will be more than happy to provide any assistance they can, whether you have a question about the museum or the town.

Its and we are delighted to celebrate our own wonderful museum volunteers. They undertake all sorts of activities for...
04/06/2026

Its and we are delighted to celebrate our own wonderful museum volunteers. They undertake all sorts of activities for the museum including research, documenting, sorting, painting, cleaning mannequins, looking for images of Victorian mustachioed men (!).. all with a smile on their faces. Thank you 🙏
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📷 We’ve uncovered this fascinating photo while researching a small display for the upcoming Armed Forces, Families and ...
30/05/2026

📷 We’ve uncovered this fascinating photo while researching a small display for the upcoming Armed Forces, Families and Veterans Day in Littlehampton.
It shows some Royal Sussex Regiment soldiers, and we believe it may date from the First World War, or perhaps just before. We’d love to hear what you think. 🤔
We’re especially curious about the circular object between the two groups of men — could it be something connected to the Kursaal/Casino?
And we love spotting Shelter Hall in the background too, now the Windmill Cinema. 🎞️
This photo links to our display remembering the Littlehampton men of the Royal Sussex Regiment’s 11th, 12th and 13th South Downs battalions who were killed or injured at the Battle of the Boar’s Head during the First World War. 🌺
If you have any ideas about the photo, please do share them in the comments below. 👇
🎪 Do come and see our display and craft activity in the Museum Tent at Armed Forces, Families and Veterans Day on Saturday 26 June

Armed Forces Day Visit Littlehampton

🎉 It’s Ian Fleming’s birthday! 🕵️‍♂️📚Best known as the author of the James Bond books, Ian Fleming also has a fascinatin...
28/05/2026

🎉 It’s Ian Fleming’s birthday! 🕵️‍♂️📚
Best known as the author of the James Bond books, Ian Fleming also has a fascinating connection to Littlehampton.
During the Second World War, Fleming helped set up and command the 30 Assault Unit (30AU), a Royal Marine Commando unit specialising in covert intelligence. Their motto? “Attain by Surprise” ⚡
Their missions included:
🔹 Moving with or just behind Allied troops
🔹 Carrying out small-scale raids
🔹 Seizing enemy codes, ciphers and secret weapons
🔹 Recovering important enemy documents
🔹 Clearing captured weapons and booby-trapped premises
🔹 Destroying ammunition and fuel dumps
🔹 Identifying and arresting key enemy personnel and secret agents
In 1944, the unit spent several months stationed in Littlehampton, training in the build-up to D-Day 🌊 Many of the men later returned to the town for annual reunions at the Marine Pub 🍻
And here’s the intriguing part… 👀
Many believe Fleming may have based James Bond on one or more of the commandos from this remarkable unit. 🕶️✨

image 1: pub sign from The Marine pub, Littlehampton
image 2: members of the 30 Assault Unit's 'B' troop, Littlehampton, May 1944
image 3: cloth badge, 30 Assault Unit

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Looking forward to this event! Come and join us in the museum tent 😃😃
24/05/2026

Looking forward to this event! Come and join us in the museum tent 😃😃

Our Victorians exhibition is now live! 🥳 Running until the 2nd November, this exhibition provides insight into the lives...
23/05/2026

Our Victorians exhibition is now live! 🥳 Running until the 2nd November, this exhibition provides insight into the lives and habits of Victorians in Littlehampton. From businesses and shops, education and home life, to leisure and hardship, meet key figures from Littlehampton’s past and see the world through their Victorian point of view 👓 Of course, this time period gets its name from Queen Victoria’s reign, and we have a special item on display that belonged to the Queen herself! 👸 Entry to the Museum is FREE and we cannot wait to hear about your favourite parts of the exhibition 😁

Visit Littlehampton

A couple of days ago, the BBC reported (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgjpnwpvwpvo) that a Cadbury’s chocolate bar...
22/05/2026

A couple of days ago, the BBC reported (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgjpnwpvwpvo) that a Cadbury’s chocolate bar from 1900 was sold at auction for over £500 🍫💷 During the Second Boer War, Queen Victoria commissioned several chocolatiers to provide chocolate for soldiers.

As we’ve been setting up for our Victorians Exhibition, which goes live tomorrow, Cadbury’s chocolate has been our main fuel source (as you can see from our photo!!!) ⛽️ It’s comforting to know that over 125 years later, we’re still eating the same sweet treats as our Victorian ancestors 😋 If you’d like to know more about Littlehampton’s Victorians, then be sure to visit our exhibition, running from 23rd May to 2nd November 🥳

Cadbury Dairy Milk

21/05/2026

Are you looking for some half term fun? Join us for some crafting inspired by Sussex Wildlife Trust's Marine Photography Exhibition.

Wednesday 27th May 10am-1pm and 2-4pm.

Please share Rustington Heritage Association Rustington Parish Council Sussex Museums Group Rustington Village

Oh rats! 🐀 As we’ve been preparing for our Victorians Exhibition, which opens Saturday 23rd May, we’ve found that the Mu...
21/05/2026

Oh rats! 🐀 As we’ve been preparing for our Victorians Exhibition, which opens Saturday 23rd May, we’ve found that the Museum has been overtaken by rats! 🤯 Not to rat anyone out, but I think it may be our Curator’s fault… too many biscuit crumbs 🍪 We need your help to complete our trail and find them all! You’ll have to work your tail off to find lots in a ROW and make a DENT in the trail, but seeing as though that might be the worst pun I’ve ever made, I’m heading off and leaving you to rescue our galleries! 🙈 There are nineteen in total, almost one in every case, so you’ll really have to give it your all 💪🏼

Victorians Exhibition - One week to go!Staff have been busy setting up our new Victorians exhibition.This is a new exhib...
16/05/2026

Victorians Exhibition - One week to go!

Staff have been busy setting up our new Victorians exhibition.

This is a new exhibition running from 23 May to 2 November which is bringing to life the people who lived in the town during the Victorian era (1837–1901). Through personal stories, contemporary accounts, and objects from the museum’s collections, the exhibition charts Littlehampton’s remarkable transformation from a quiet fishing village into a bustling seaside resort with a thriving harbour, trading goods from all over the world.

• Discover the stories behind family businesses, some of whose names are still familiar today
• Let your little ones have a go at running a Victorian sweet shop
• Explore the realities of everyday life, including the town’s notorious sewage problems
• Enjoy hands-on activities designed for all the family

Visit Littlehampton Sussex by the Sea .by.the.sea

🐀 HISTORY FANS! 🐀***Opening in time for May ½ Term***Travel back to Victorian Littlehampton… Do you have sharp eyes? Fr...
14/05/2026

🐀 HISTORY FANS! 🐀

***Opening in time for May ½ Term***

Travel back to Victorian Littlehampton…

Do you have sharp eyes?

From Saturday 23 May to Monday 2 November, see if you can spot the trail of mini rats hidden around the Museum, leading you into our new Victorians exhibition:

🏘️ Explore the stories behind local family businesses
🕵️ Have a go at running a Victorian sweet shop
🎩 Meet the people who lived in the town
✋ Get stuck into hands-on activities along the way!

Best of all? Entry is absolutely FREE! 🎉
📍Littlehampton Museum
🌐 www.littlehamptonmuseum.co.uk

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Address

Littlehampton Museum, Manor House, Church Street
Littlehampton
BN175EW

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 4:30pm
Thursday 9am - 4:30pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm
Saturday 10:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+441903738100

Website

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