Who could criticise this scenery or our beaches? Looks like there's plenty of places for peace and quiet, tooWho could criticise this scenery or our beaches? Looks like there's plenty of places for peace and quiet, too
Who could criticise this scenery or our beaches? Looks like there's plenty of places for peace and quiet, too

Littlehampton slated in Which? consumer survey – here’s why they’re wrong

A survey from consumer website Which? brought mixed results for Littlehampton.

Our town ranked 83rd out of 100 seaside towns and villages, with a rating of 62 per cent from a pool of 4,000 holidaymakers.

Littlehampton beach received three stars out of five, but its attractions scored just one and, for value for money, peace and quiet and scenery, it received two stars.

Residents of Littlehampton know those ratings are not fair – last month Climping beach was ranked 9th in Good News Travellers’ top 25 beaches outside of London and The Sunday Times praised its ‘bustling independent shops’.

Celia Thomson-Hitchcock, chairman of the Littlehampton Traders’ Partnership, said ‘Which? needed to get with The Times’.

“This is almost impossible to believe – have these voters actually visited our town?” she said.

“Littlehampton has fabulous open spaces, parks, greens, a roomy promenade, facilities for families, parking and activities for all purses.

“It has Smarts Amusements and Fun-Fair, beautiful river walks (and of course crabbing) along the pier, two boating lakes, iconic cafés and restaurants, indoor and outdoor sports facilities, yachts visiting the harbour and miles of sandy beaches – or maybe I am just being biased!”

It is hard to comprehend how Littlehampton, nestled between the sea and South Downs, could only receive two stars for its scenery.

Well south of the busy A27, peace and quiet is also not hard to find and the town centre is packed with interesting, reasonably priced independent stores.

Bah Humbug owner Paul Wakeman said Which? should ‘stick to testing white goods’, adding day trippers raved to him ‘six or seven times a day’ about the fantastic West Beach.

Residents of Littlehampton know those ratings are not fair – last month Climping beach was ranked 9th in Good News Travellers’ top 25 beaches outside of London and The Sunday Times praised its ‘bustling independent shops’.