Worthing is the largest town in West Sussex with a population of 100,000 and it comes as no surprise that it’s a popular area to visit or settle due to its great geographical location.  Residents and visitors alike take advantage of the English Channel to the South and the South Downs to the North.  The popular cities of Brighton & Hove are to the west and Chichester to the east.  Worthing has much on offer from large selection of shops, cafés, restaurants and boutiques to cinemas, theatre, recreation, leisure and water-sports.

In the 18th century, medical insights developed a new “hype” that caused visitors to flock to Worthing to reap the benefit of sea water, which supposedly was the cure for virtually all ills.  However the town became further noticed once Princess Amelia was sent by her father, George III to what was then a fishing town. By 1803 there were a number of streets, several fine residences and some hotels and a few boarding houses. Nowadays, Worthing offers a full range of accommodation with many fine hotels and home-from-home guesthouses.

Oscar Wilde found it such a 'charming town' that he spent the summer and autumn of 1894 here, writing 'The Importance of Being Earnest' in the mornings and playing with his family on the beach in the afternoons.

Realising the advantages and the importance of entertainment, The Worthing Pier Company began to build the pier, which was the thirteenth to be built in England, at a cost of £6,500.  Designed by Sir Robert Rawlinson, the Pier was started in 1861 and officially opened on 12 April 1862. Over the years it has been rebuilt and enlarged with additional modifications after gale force winds in 1913 and a fire in 1933.  By 1889 a pavilion was erected at the southern end and in 1926 another pavilion was erected to seat 1,000 people.  After fears of a possible invasion during World War I had faded, the pier became a recreation centre for troops which included a canteen, billiards table and library. Today, The Worthing Pavilion is used for theatrical performances and concerts. The building in the middle of the pier is used as an arcade and the large building at the south of the pier is used as a night club, which was recently refurbished and re-named (quite aptly) “The Pier”.

 

Other attractions to Worthing
• The Lido - in 1897 an elegant 'birdcage' bandstand was built west of the Pier where numerous band concerts were enjoyed. In 1925 the bandstand was demolished and replaced with the “Band Enclosure” which was later renamed “The Lido”. The original canopy over the stage was replaced in 1929 by the present domed roof. Over the years interest in band music declined and eventually in 1957 The Lido was converted into an unheated swimming pool. These days The Lido is a family entertainment centre.

• Golf – there are numerous golf courses in and around Worthing for all levels of golfers. All are well maintained and enjoyed by members, their guests and all those invited to play in competitions. Worthing Golf Club was established in 1905 and has two courses, Hill Barn Golf Club has one course and was established in 1936

• Kitesurfing & Windsurfing – although kitesurfing is a fairly new sport in the UK, it’s well established at Goring by Sea (a few miles west of Worthing town centre) with locals and commuters hitting the green as soon as the wind speed is up and with all the bright colours no-one seems to object! You’ll be able to see both sports setting up on the green and hitting the water near the Sea Lane Café.

• The Dome – Carl Adolf Seebold, a Swiss actor/manager arrived in Worthing in 1904 and by 1906 had ideas to build his very own entertainment centre.  By 1910 he had opened The Kursaal Pleasure Gardens, offering “al fresco” entertainment and a roller skating rink.  By 1911, films were being shown upstairs in the Electric Theatre and it remains a cinema today – the stadium keeps many of it’s original features. Due to the anti-German feeling at the beginning of World War 1, the Kursaal then became The Dome.  Although the Dome has undergone refurbishment, its character and charm can still be seen.  Those who go can watch new releases for the cinema section, enjoy the great sea views from the function room or just have a relaxing coffee by the sea in the new Café.  This building is also licensed for wedding ceremonies.