Littlehampton Museum

About the museum

Littlehampton Museum was founded in 1928 by the Littlehampton Natural Science and Archaeology Society. Its first home was at the back of the town library, with E. J. Hearne as the first curator. In 1965 the collection moved to 12a River Road, a former merchant's house, where it stayed for 26 years. Since 1991 the museum has been in the Manor House on Church Street, which it shares with Littlehampton Town Council, and the council now runs it as a cultural service.

The Manor House was built between about 1790 and 1830 on the site of Manor Farm. Over time it was home to local families, including shipbuilders and farmers and a doctor who delivered much of the town's population. Littlehampton Urban District Council bought the building in 1932 and opened it as council offices in 1934.

The permanent galleries show Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman archaeology from the area, fossils found in the region, and the story of the town from a Roman settlement to a Victorian port and seaside resort and today's leisure destination. A grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund in 1998 paid for a refurbishment, and the displays were completely renewed in 2010 with interactive features. The collections hold almost 50,000 objects, including art, natural history and local war-time material, and a National Lottery Heritage Fund project is now helping the museum to develop its collections with the local community ahead of its centenary in 2028.

Highlights

• Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman archaeology from the Littlehampton area
• Fossils and natural history, including the Butterworth butterfly collections
• The story of Littlehampton from Roman settlement to Victorian seaside town
• Littlehampton at War collection and art collection
• Free entry in a Grade II listed Georgian manor house

Permanent exhibitions

• Archaeology and natural history galleries – Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman finds from the area are shown with fossils from the region.
• Littlehampton history galleries – The displays follow the town from a Roman settlement through the Victorian port and seaside resort to modern times.

Founded

1928

Operated by

Littlehampton Town Council

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry is free for everyone. Donations are gratefully accepted.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is on the ground floor and all areas are accessible, with seating in the public spaces. The front entrance is at the top of a moderate slope, reached from the Manor House car park, or by four steps from Church Street. A lift serves the Millennium Chamber for events and talks. Hearing loops are installed in the reception area, and magnifying glasses can be borrowed from staff. There are no public toilets in the museum. Disabled parking spaces are in the Manor House car park, a short distance from the front door.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Free drop-in family activities and trails run during school holidays, including hands-on activities in the galleries; parents and carers are asked to stay with their children. Downloadable museum trails and activity resources are also available online.

Getting there & parking

By car, follow the A259 or A27 and then the brown signs to the museum and Town Council offices. Cycle racks are outside the entrance.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

A small selection of gifts and souvenirs is sold. There are no public toilets in the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit