Littlehampton Rope Walk

2.2 miles (3.6 km)

This circular walk explores the West Beach Nature Reserve next to the Rope Walk at Littlehampton. You can start the walk from the car park on the Rope Walk on the western side of the town near the coast.... From here you can pick up a coastal footpath along West Beach before turning inland to return to the Rope Walk. Here you can enjoy a short riverside stroll along the River Arun to take you back to the car park.
The West Beach Nature Reserve features one of the few remaining undeveloped sand dune systems in West Sussex. This fragile habitat is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is home to rare maritime flora such as marram grass, sea holly, and yellow horned-poppy. The sandy dunes and vegetated shingle also support a variety of coastal wildlife, including skylarks, stonechats, and numerous species of butterflies during the summer months.
The final leg of the route follows the edge of the River Arun, which has played a central role in Littlehampton's history as a thriving trading port and shipbuilding hub since the Industrial Revolution. Walking back along the Rope Walk traces the exact historic location where maritime ropes were once manufactured for local sailing vessels. The riverside path offers clear views across the water to the modern East Pier and the busy town quay, which now accommodates a mixture of commercial fishing boats and recreational yachts.