Littlehampton Museum is home to a wonderful collection of paintings by both local and visiting artists. Many of these artworks celebrate Littlehampton and the surrounding area, capturing the beauty and character of our seaside town through the years.

You can see a small selection of paintings on display in the Museum, while many more are safely stored and brought out for special exhibitions. To explore more of our collection online, visit Art UK.

One of the standout pieces shows passengers boarding the Worthing Belle, a cross-Channel ferry steamer, beside the Nelson pub. Although the scene takes us back to the 1880s, it was actually painted in 1966 by Leslie. A. Wilcox. The Worthing Belle was the only ferry service to ever run from Littlehampton, operating between 1863 and 1884 with crossings to Honfleur in France. This painting was purchased with Art Fund support  Art Fund.

Another favourite is Littlehampton Esplanade by A. Plant, painted in 1854. It offers a fascinating glimpse of the town’s seafront as it once looked, including buildings that have long since disappeared, like the Beach Hotel.

Take a look through the images below to discover more of the Museum’s art treasures and see how artists have captured Littlehampton over time.