Look and Sea Centre

A visitor and education facility on the harbour

The Look and Sea Centre occupies a prominent position on the harbour at Littlehampton, combining visitor information, educational displays, a viewing tower and community facilities in a building that contributes to the regenerated waterfront. The centre was developed as part of the harbour improvement programme and provides a focal point for visitors arriving at the harbour area.

The centre's viewing tower offers panoramic views across the harbour, the river mouth, East Beach, West Beach and the English Channel. On clear days, the view extends to the Isle of Wight to the west and along the Sussex coast in both directions. The elevated vantage point provides a perspective on Littlehampton's geography that is not available from ground level, revealing the relationship between the town, the river, the coast and the surrounding landscape. The tower is the best place in the town to appreciate the scale of the harbour entrance and the meeting of river and sea.

Educational displays within the centre cover the natural history and maritime heritage of the area, with information about the wildlife of the estuary, the history of the harbour, the coastal processes that shape the shoreline and the fishing industry. The displays are designed to be accessible to all ages, with interactive elements that engage children and detailed information panels that satisfy more serious enquirers. School groups use the centre for educational visits, with the displays providing a starting point for fieldwork and investigation along the harbour and the coast.

The centre provides visitor information for the town, including maps, leaflets and advice on what to see and do in the Littlehampton area. For visitors arriving at the harbour for the first time, the centre is a useful first stop, providing orientation and suggestions for making the most of a visit. The staff are knowledgeable about the local area and can advise on walks, beaches, restaurants and attractions.

Community rooms within the building are available for hire, providing meeting space for local groups, organisations and businesses. The rooms are used for a variety of purposes, from committee meetings and training sessions to craft groups and social gatherings. The availability of affordable, well-equipped meeting space in the heart of the town is a valuable resource for the community organisations that keep Littlehampton's social fabric together.

The centre's position on the harbour means that it is surrounded by the activity of the waterfront: the fishing boats, the pleasure craft, the lifeboat station, the restaurants and the walkers on the harbour path. The building itself is part of the harbour scene, and its presence contributes to the sense of purpose and vitality that the regeneration has brought to this part of the town. The Look and Sea Centre is a practical facility with educational value and community function, combining multiple roles in a single harbour-side building.

The centre contributes to the educational infrastructure of the area, providing a resource that schools, colleges and community groups can use to enhance their programmes. The combination of the physical displays, the viewing tower and the harbour setting creates an environment that is both informative and engaging, and visits to the centre are memorable for both children and adults.