New wayfinding scheme celebrates Littlehampton’s heritage and creativity
Arun District Council's new wayfinding scheme for Littlehampton will start installation on week beginning 15 December, marking a major step forward in helping people navigate the town more easily while celebrating its rich heritage and vibrant community.
Wayfinding signs are designed to help people find their way around by providing clear, visual guidance to key destinations. In Littlehampton, this includes the town centre, seafront, and riverside. The scheme is funded through Arun's allocation from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and aims to improve how people move between these areas.
As part of the project, existing totems (tall, vertical signs) and fingerposts (signs with directional arrows pointing to nearby locations) will be updated with new panels made from durable materials suitable for Littlehampton's coastal climate. The totems will include directional arrows, estimated walking times, and QR codes that link to live online maps for even easier navigation.
A key highlight of the scheme is its strong focus on community involvement and creativity. Heritage interpretation panels, developed in close partnership with Littlehampton Museum, will bring local stories to life - covering everything from the town's fishing and railway history to its modern-day environmental efforts.
All of the totems feature the series of artworks, characters and trails developed by students from The Littlehampton Academy as part of Artswork's Young Cultural Changemakers programme, supported by Arts Council England.
The scheme also showcases the work of local artists. Young illustrators have brought the legend of Lyminster's Knucker Dragon to life, with selected artwork featured on one of the totems. Totems also feature the work of local painters, graphic artists and photographers, with images that celebrate the places, colours and stories of Littlehampton.
Councillor Roger Nash, Chair of the Economy Committee at Arun District Council, said: “I've had the chance to preview the panels and I'm genuinely impressed. They're beautifully designed, informative, and full of character.
This scheme is a brilliant example of how practical infrastructure can also celebrate local identity and creativity. It's going to make a real difference to the look and feel of the town centre, seafront and riverside for everyone, and help visitors navigate easily between the three key locations.”
Installation starts on 15 December, with completion of all elements scheduled for early 2026.