Pubs

Traditional and modern drinking establishments across the town

Littlehampton's pubs reflect the town's character as a working coastal community with a seasonal influx of visitors. The pub scene ranges from traditional waterfront alehouses with centuries of history to modern bar-restaurants that have emerged from the harbour regeneration. Together, they provide the social infrastructure that underpins the town's community life, serving as meeting places, dining venues and gathering points for locals and visitors throughout the year.

The Arun View Inn occupies one of the prime positions in the town, overlooking the River Arun from the harbour area. The pub has a long history on the site, though the current building has been renovated and extended several times. The riverside terrace is the main attraction, providing outdoor seating with views of the boats, the harbour bridge and the river traffic. The food menu covers standard pub fare, grills and fish, and the beer selection includes well-kept cask ales alongside the usual lager and cider options. On summer evenings, the terrace is one of the busiest spots in town.

The Steam Packet is another of Littlehampton's established pubs, its name referencing the steam ships that once used the harbour. The pub serves the local community throughout the year, providing the reliable, welcoming environment that a good local should offer. Real ales, pub food and a friendly atmosphere are the defining characteristics, and the regulars form a community within the community, meeting to socialise, watch sport and participate in quiz nights and other events.

Other pubs in the town serve different neighbourhoods and clienteles. Some focus on food, positioning themselves as gastropubs with menus that go beyond the traditional pie and chips. Others remain firmly in the traditional camp, serving beer and providing a space for conversation, darts and pool. The diversity of the pub scene reflects the diversity of the town itself, with options for families, couples, groups and solitary drinkers who want nothing more than a quiet pint and a newspaper.

The pub trade nationally has faced enormous challenges in recent decades, with rising costs, changing drinking habits, competition from supermarket alcohol sales and the shift towards home entertainment all contributing to closures. Littlehampton has not been immune to these pressures, and some pubs have closed or been converted to other uses. The survivors are those that have adapted, whether by improving their food offer, hosting events, creating attractive outdoor spaces or simply providing the kind of warm, genuine welcome that keeps people coming back.

The seasonal nature of the town's economy means that pubs face a particular challenge in maintaining trade through the quieter winter months. Summer brings visitors, sun and spending; winter brings empty tables and reduced footfall. The pubs that thrive are those with a strong local following that sustains trade year-round, supplemented by the visitor income that peaks between Easter and October. The balance between serving the local community and attracting visitors is one that each pub strikes differently, depending on its location, character and management.

The pub remains one of the essential social institutions of the English town, and Littlehampton's pubs continue to fulfil this role for the community.