Project Time Machine in the Galleries!
Littlehampton Rail Trail
until 8 September 2025
To celebrate Railway200, the 200th anniversary of the modern railway, Littlehampton Museum has partnered with the Southeast Communities Rail Partnership to create a new summer heritage trail. Visitors are invited to step back in time and explore the rich history of Littlehampton’s railway heritage.
Starting at Littlehampton Railway Station, visitors can collect a trail leaflet and embark on a stroll down the High Street, where they’ll find blue plaques highlighting local railway workers on display in the windows of local shops and businesses. Along the way, railway cats can also be spotted sharing fascinating “did you know” railway facts.
The trail culminates at Littlehampton Museum, where visitors can claim a special railway sticker by answering questions on the trail leaflet. For those eager to learn more about the town’s railway history, a new railway case is on display at the Museum, offering an in-depth look at the people and stories behind Littlehampton’s railway legacy.
For more information and to pick up your trail leaflet, visit Littlehampton Railway Station or the Museum. This summer join in the fun and be part of the Railway200 celebrations. Why not take the train and enjoy a more sustainable travel choice? It’s a great way to discover Littlehampton’s heritage.
As always, entry to the Museum is free.
New to Collection
Poignant World War Two Letter Donated to Littlehampton Museum
Littlehampton Museum is honoured to announce a moving new addition to its collection: a heartfelt World War Two letter, written in May 1940 by two local residents, and discovered decades later in a forgotten air raid shelter on the town’s High Street.
The letter, which the authors titled “To he who opened the box,” was found inside a lozenge tin during demolition work behind Acres the Bakers in 1971. The outbuilding, as the letter revealed, had once served as a wartime air raid shelter.
Lovingly safeguarded by its finder for over half a century, the letter has now been generously donated to Littlehampton Museum, where it will be preserved for future generations as a tangible reminder of the town’s wartime history and the spirit of its Town’s folk.
Museum research has identified the letter’s authors as Henry R. Holmes and Leslie W. Voke, neighbours and local businessmen. Holmes, listed in the 1939 census as a "Master Hairdresser," lived at 45 High Street with his wife Florence and son Thomas. Voke, a "men’s outfitter dealer" and involved in Air Raid Precautions, lived at number 43 High Street—then the site of Acres the Bakers—with his wife Gladys.
“We are very grateful that the donor has treasured this letter and kept it safe for over 54 years,” said Councillor Freddie Tandy, Chair of Littlehampton Town Council’s Community Resources Committee. “The Museum will now ensure it is carefully preserved so that future generations can connect with this powerful piece of local and national history.”
From 8 May to the end of June, the letter will be on display in a case in the Museum’s reception area to commemorate VE Day, with other World War Two items from the Museum’s collections.
As always, entry to the Museum is FREE.
Explore the changing landscape of Littlehampton in this fascinating exhibition in the Museum’s Butterworth Gallery. Curated by two of our dedicated volunteers, this display showcases highlights from the Museum’s map collections, tracing the town’s development through the years.
From historic charts to detailed street plans, see how Littlehampton has evolved and uncover the stories hidden within these incredible maps.