Worthing
Worthing is rich in Royal history, starting with George III who sent his daughter for health reasons two centuries ago. The small fishing hamlet quickly grew in to a favourite seaside resort for the royal, the rich and the fashionable.
Information boards can be found all along the promenade detailing the history of Worthing from the building of the Pier to promenading, to the life boat era and ship wrecks to be found off the coast.
From famous Royals to famous poets and recent stars, Worthing has seen them all, and many have chosen Worthing as their home. Oscar Wilde found it such a “charming town” that he spent the summer and autumn of 1894 here writing “The Importance of Being Ernest” in the mornings and playing with his family on the beach in the afternoons.
“Wish you were here”, a famous film in the early 80’s was filmed in Worthing but it is perhaps the latest pranks and goings on for the two bachelors in “Men Behaving Badly” that brings Worthing to our TV screens again and again.
The Pier has survived being blown down, burnt out and blown up in its 140 year history. It now stands proudly at the centre of our coast line where fisherman sell fresh catches from their boats and the promenade gives views for miles. Here the traditional seaside with deck chairs, buckets and spades and fish and chips meet with the entrepreneurial town centre.
Worthing is uniquely flat – completely flat – which makes movement around the sea front and town easy. Paved, traffic free areas throughout the main shopping centre make it safe and accessible. With shops that give a warm welcome and a welcoming hand, Worthing is a shopping haven for families and those with mobility difficulties.
Whilst Worthing has not forgotten its past, particularly along the sea front, it certainly has not got left behind. The West End, with new landscaping and street furniture, is established as the Restaurant Quarter of the town, and the Café Society sees the streets alive with pavement cafes and tea rooms.
The Pub Quarter leads through the town to the landscaped seating area in South Street Square and the town becomes a hive of activity as the sun goes down, in the town's night clubs. Entertainment is abundant in Worthing’s theatres and cinemas, and events are held outdoors throughout the summer months and at Christmas.
The pedestrianised shopping centre has a variety of shops from the large department stores to small specialist shops.
Must see and do
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