TfW Online Visitor Guide

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Welcome to Worthing

Easy to get to and easy to get around - head south 45 minutes from Gatwick Airport or 80 minutes from London Victoria – it’s definitely Time for Worthing.

An elegant Georgian seaside resort, Worthing is the perfect destination to relax and recharge. Famous residents have included Jane Austen, Oscar Wilde and most recently the playwrite Harold Pinter.

A traditional seaside town with a twist, Worthing is full of surprises. One of the UK’s most popular spots for kiteboarding and windsurfing and famous for it’s Pier (Winner of Pier of the Year 2019). This family friendly town boasts a wide open prom allowing space to breathe, run and cycle, with an endless horizon that frames the award winning beach.

The Worthing of today is a happy collision of classic and creative contemporary, where else

can you hop off your paddle board and into an internationally acclaimed theatre, savour local Sussex produce at award winning pubs and restaurants, swing by beach hut art studios and independent shops or watch the latest blockbuster at a vintage cinema?

With the South Downs National Park right on the doorstep, you can stride out on a hearty hike up the Iron Age fort of Cissbury Ring. Whatever your preference - breathe in that fresh country air, wonder at the far reaching views to the sea and don’t forget to look out for wild ponies.

Worthing makes a perfect base from which to explore wider Sussex, including local attractions such as the Royal Pavilion and BA i360 in Brighton, Arundel Castle, Chichester and the Goodwood Estate.

For event details and inspiration for your visit: timeforworthing.uk or visit the Worthing Coastal Office digital information point and leaflets, Marine Parade, Worthing BN11 3PX. @timeforworthing

Time for Worthing

Best for: Art Lovers

Enjoy browsing the many free galleries, shops and open studios around town – WTM Museum and Gallery, Colonnade House, East Beach Studios, The Forge Gallery and West End Gallery to name just a few. Don’t miss Worthing’s outdoor exhibition space – the Seafront Gallery.

Best for: Green Fingers

Different at every season, gardeners will love Highdown Gardens. Dating from 1909 this unique collection includes rare plants and trees from China and the Himalayas.

New visitor centre, disabled access and toilets, opened in Spring 2021.

Best for: Adventurers

Owned by the National Trust you’ll love exploring the ancient Iron Age fort of Cissbury Ring. Admire breathtaking views in every direction and don’t forget to look out for wild ponies.

Best for: Culture Lovers

Check out Worthing Theatres and Museum’s world class programme of performance,

Highdown Gardens

comedy, circus and film and don’t miss music at the Factory Live and the vintage Dome Cinema.

Best for: Romantics

Enjoy a sunset stroll along the promenade or stride out along the sand at low tide – wide and flat with far reaching views. Then dine alfresco or cosy up in a traditional pub.

Best for: Family

From ’have a go’ water sports or seafront cycle rides to craft workshops or our traditional Christmas Pantomime. Worthing has something to entertain the family all year round.

Best for: History Lovers

Take a trip to Tarring High Street, featured in the Domesday Book. The oldest street in Worthing has buildings dating back to medieval period.

Best for: Adrenalin Junkies

Book a one to one kitesurf course with the British champion, those wet suits keep you warm whatever the weather. Go on, you know you love a challenge!

These stunningly beautiful chalk gardens on downland countryside, overlooking the sea, are a must for your visit. The gardens are home to The National Plant Collection of the Plant Introductions of Sir Fredrick Stern - a unique collection of plants and trees, with many unusual species to be discovered all year round.

Open all year - Entrance free. Additional tours and activities available with advanced payment and booking.

Highdown Gardens reopened in 2021 following a £1million enhancement scheme which includes improved accessibility, a brand new visitor centre and refurbished toilet facilities.

Events for all seasons

SPRING

• Lambing at Coombes Farm

• Highdown Gardens Bulbs & Blossoms

SUMMER

• Worthing Theatres Spin Out Street Arts Season

• Beat the Tide

• Rotary Carnival

• Worthing Pride

• Lions Festival

• FreeWheelin FEASTival

Worthing has a rolling calendar of events throughout the seasons. There’s always something happening in Worthing –see timeforworthing.uk for up to date information.

AUTUMN

• Food & Drink Festival

• Worthing 10K

• Oktoberfest

• Seafront Fireworks

• Worthing Portrait Artist of the Year

• Jack on the Green

WINTER

• Ice Rink

• Christmas Markets

• Worthing Winter Festival

• Half Marathon

• Pantomime

© Eddie Mitchel

Back to Nature

FOR FAMILIES:

Waterwise Gardens and Playground

Intermingled with driftwood sculptures, this drought tolerant sustainable garden on the beach neighbours the popular Waterwise Playground. Both have direct views of the sea and along to the Pier.

FOR GARDENERS:

Highdown Gardens

Take a stroll through these beautiful chalk gardens, home to the National Plant Collection of Sir Fredrick Stern - a unique collection of plants and trees from around the world. Entrance free.

FOR LUNCH IN THE PARK: Beach House Park

Opened in 1924 this formal park in central Worthing incorporates bowling greens, ornamental planting and the Palm Court Pavilion, a family friendly café-bistro. Fully accessible with lots of seating.

South Downs National Park Cissbury Ring

Just 5km inland from Worthing lies the Iron Age hill fort of Cissbury Ring. Climb the hill to admire far reaching views to the sea, take a picnic, run along ramparts and look out for wild ponies.

Waterwise Gardens and Playground

Cissbury Ring

Highdown Gardens

Beach House Park

Outdoor Active

From central Worthing our glistening sea is never more than a five minute walk away.

It’s the simple pleasures in life which boost the soul; a splash in the sea, a snooze in the sun or a stroll on the sands. Embrace that moment. Little ones will love digging or low tide beach combing. Here in Worthing the sea and sky are an ever changing piece of art – no two days are the same.

Worthing’s wide flat prom is ideal for safe, easy cycling. Look out for our Donkey Republic bike hire pick up points across the area. This part of Sussex offers great opportunities for keen cyclists looking for fast flat roads, hill climbs or undulating hills. Easy access to the South Downs Way (70 miles long) attracts walkers and mountain bike fans from far afield.

It’s no coincidence that Worthing is home to both Olympic and World Champion windsurfers & kiteboarders. A windy day can challenge even the most proficient of athletes,

though equally Worthing is the perfect spot to take those first steps. A choice of highly qualified BKSA registered providers offer courses for all abilities. Our wide, safe beaches and super low tides make Worthing the perfect destination to fulfil those bucket list goals.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) is perfect for those keen to try something new but looking for a more gentle pursuit. View the pier from a different angle or book in for a SUP adventure. Don’t worry if you forget your wetsuit, all kit can be hired from our friendly providers.

Four legged friends love holidays too! With loads of doggy friendly accommodation, pubs, bars and places to run free – tails will wag for Worthing. For these listings head to the dog friendly page on our website.

Naturally great Sussex flora & fauna

This part of Sussex and the chalk land habitat of the South Downs make for an abundance of wildlife all year round. The whole family will enjoy spotting New Forest ponies at Cissbury Ring or a gentle walk through the idyllic Bluebell wood at nearby Angmering Park Estate – look out for native birds, insects and butterflies en route. Grab your camera, get out and get spotting.

Local Sussex produce

PICK YOUR OWNFORAGED SUSSEX

Enjoy foraging in Sussex; grab your basket & pick your own!

Nothing beats home grown food. Luckily for us the climate and fertile soils in Sussex make it a haven for local produce. From fish, meat and cheeses to wines and ales, it’s all seasonal and fresh – you’ll love the taste of Sussex!

Our local Farmers’ and Artisans’ Markets mean you’ll be able to take the taste of Sussex back home with you.

Kingfisher Ponies at Cissbury Ring Gatekeeper Butterfly

Images ©Foraged by Fern

Eating out in Worthing Independent shopping

With so many great places to eat and drink around Worthing, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Whether it’s fish straight from the sea, a traditional Sussex cream tea, home-made Sicilian gelato, freshly roasted coffee or real ales, our restaurants, pubs, bars and tearooms are looking forwards to giving you a warm welcome.

Whatever your retail pleasure Worthing fits the bill. Vintage finds, quirky independents and popular high street stores, the choice is yours. All shops are within easy walking distance and when it all gets too much and you need to take a break, wherever you are, you’re guaranteed the sea front is only 5 minutes away.

Corner House Freehouse & Garden Inspired Heavy Gretal

Reginald Ballum Pitch, UK MasterChef winner CrabShack Seafood Restaurant

Aunty Bunny’s Hut Aunty Bunny’s Hut

Heritage & History

A brief history of Worthing

From around 4,000 BC the South Downs above Worthing were one of the countries earliest and largest flint mining areas.

During the Iron Age one of Britain’s largest hill forts was built at nearby Cissbury Ring – the remains of which can still be enjoyed today.

Visit Worthing Museum and Gallery’s extensive archaeology collection which includes material from Neolithic flint-mines at Cissbury and Iron Age material from Highdown.

In the C5th and C6th the area became part of the Kingdom of Sussex. The place names of the area, including Worthing, (meaning ‘place of worth’) date from this time. For many centuries Worthing remained a small agricultural and fishing hamlet, until 1750 when the town received a visit from Princess Amelia (the sixth daughter of King George III) who, suffering from joint problems, had been advised by doctors of the therapeutic benefits of sea bathing. Word spread and Worthing became a popular haunt for the famous and wealthy of the day – visitors included Oscar Wilde and Jane Austen.

In the C18th Worthing developed into an elegant Georgian seaside resort. During the C19th and C20th the town, being one of the sunniest and most fertile places in the UK, became the centre of Britain’s market gardening industry, local produce from the land and sea is still being enjoyed today.

Below: Blue Plaques Commemorating Worthing’s famous and notable residents include Jane Austen, Oscar Wilde & Harold Pinter.

Top left: Ambrose Place where playwright, actor and director Harold Pinter, lived at 14 Ambrose Place between 1962 to 64.

Top middle: Shoreham Fort, built in 1857 to protect against Napoleon III. The fort is a Scheduled Ancient Monument with a diverse history from French Spies to World Wars.

Top right: High Salvington Windmill, a fully restored Grade II listed windmill now in full working order.

Bottom left: Lancing College Chapel, a fine

example of Gothic revival architecture and one the tallest interior vaulted churches in the country.

Bottom right: English Martyrs Church, the only known reproduction of the Sistine Chapel Ceiling in the world.

Before you travel, check opening times on timeforworthing.uk

For more information on the Worthingheritage walking trails head to page 26

Kids top picks

There’s something for kids of all ages in Worthing; indoor or outdoor, whatever the weather, space to run, new activities to explore and challenges to be met. The beach and the South Downs are both natural playgrounds with endless opportunities for fun to be had.

Smalls: 2-5 Years

Top Picks:

• Low tide beach combing & Rock Pooling

• Splash pads

• Gull Island & Waterwise playgrounds

• Indoor fun pools at state of the art Splashpoint Leisure Centre

Mediums: 6-10 Years

Top Picks:

• Pottery Painting

• Worthing Theatres Shows

• Coombs Farm Lambing

• Worthing Museum

• Kite flying

• Visit the Cissbury Ring Ponies

• Seafront scooter or rollerskate

• Walk the Ilex way

Bigs: 11+ Years

Top Picks:

• Kayaking, SUP or windsurfing

• Seafront cycle

• 3m spring board, Splashpoint

• Go karting - 450m multi level indoor track

• Mini golf

• All the firm favourites including ten pin bowling & cinemas

Arts & culture

WTM Museum and Gallery

Explore the museum’s fantastic permanent collections and temporary exhibitions. The largest costume collection of everyday wear in the UK, sits alongside archaeology, local history, and art exhibitions.

Colonnade House Gallery & Creative Hub

With an ever-changing programme of free exhibitions plus events and projects, this is the creative pulse of Worthing. A place for artists, makers, designers and innovators to collaborate and connect.

Explore Worthing and you’ll uncover an eclectic mix of artists, quirky open studios and galleries, not to mention our internationally renowned theatres and one of the oldest working cinemas in the UK, The Dome.

Dame Elisabeth Frink Heads

Four Giant Sculpted Bronze heads (Grade II* listed) known as the Desert Quartet can be found in Liverpool Gardens.

Dome Cinema

One of the oldest cinemas in the UK, this Grade II listed building first opened in April 1911. Enjoy the latest blockbusters in vintage surroundings.

East Beach Artists Studios

These converted beach huts make quirky galleries for independent artists; a hub of creative talentyou never know what gems you will find there!

Worthing Theatres and Museum

WTM bring the best of Arts and Culture to the heart of Worthing. With a unique year-round programme of engaging theatre, film, dance music and comedy spread across four historic venues, not forgetting the ever popular Christmas Pantomime!

After dark

After the sun sets, Worthing’s wide selection of high quality restaurants and varied nightlife will keep you entertained well into the early hours.

Why not kick off the evening with a sundowner overlooking the sea, a cocktail or a pint of Sussex ale in one of our traditional or micro pubs? You’re sure to receive a warm welcome!

You’ll love Worthing’s live music and dance scene which offers everything from big names to new talent – acoustic, DJ’s to Classical orchestras in venues of all sizes across town.

Check out the events page for current listings timeforworthing/whats-on

Winner of a 2019 Purple Flag Award for the night-time economy. Joeseth Carter / Atom Presents

Explore Worthing on foot Explore Worthing on foot

Worthing heritage trails

Worthing is a town with a varied and fascinating history – our free heritage trails written by local historian Chris Hare, are packed with information and quirky facts which bring the past to life.

Pick up a leaflet from Worthing Museum, Town Hall, Libraries across the area and other local venues including Highdown Gardens. Or you can download them on timeforworthing.uk and start exploring Worthing today!

Five trails to choose from:

• Tarring Village

• Highdown Gardens and Hill

• Cissbury Ring

• Worthing Town

• Pier, Parks and Seafront

Walk it WorthingDigital Map

Make the most of your time in Worthing! The great news is once you’re here everything is easily accessible on foot. Walk it Worthing will help you find popular attractions and activities, places to eat and hidden gems near you. Simply input your location, search criteria and Walk it Worthing will find your best route and give you walking directions.

Blue Plaque Trail

Pick up your free Blue Plaque walking trail leaflet from the Worthing coastal office information point, Worthing Museum or Library. Use the guide to uncover more about the town’s famous residents, local history and heritage. Walk takes approximately 1 hour.

Where to stay

With so much to see and do in Worthing, you’ll want to stay for more than a day. Worthing has a great selection of quality small and large hotels, guest houses, seafront cottages and self catering apartments. You’ll find something to suit all tastes and budgets.

See Time for Worthing for inspiration and links to the latest visitor reviews: timeforworthing.uk/stay

Best of Sussex

With its central location and great transport links, Worthing makes the perfect base for exploring the stunning Sussex coast and countryside.

Shoreham-by-Sea

The nearby historic fishing town of Shoreham sits at the mouth of the river Adur.

Top picks:

• Adur Markets award winning Shoreham Farmers’ & Artisans’ Markets

• Flying lesson or helicopter tour at Brighton City Airport, Shoreham

• Shoreham Fort dating back to 1857

• Marlipins Museum for local history

• Independent shops, cafés and restaurants

Chichester Cathedral

Medieval features sit alongside world famous contemporary artwork at this 900 year old Cathedral.

Goodwood

Spectacular Estate in the heart of West Sussex. Home to the world famous Festival of Speed, Goodwood Revival and Qatar Goodwood Festival.

Arundel Castle & Gardens

This magnificent castle, stately home and

gardens are the family home of the Dukes of Norfolk. Built at the end of the 11th Century it reflects the history of nearly 1,000 years.

Bignor Roman Villa

One of the largest Roman villas to be open to the public in Britain. Some of the finest mosaics and an opportunity to walk on floors dating back to 350AD.

Royal Pavilion, Brighton

Regency palace dating back to 1787 was originally built for the Prince Regent, King George IV.

British Airways i360, Brighton

Take to the skies to enjoy breath taking 360 degree views from the world’s tallest moving observation tower.

Wakehurst Place

Beautiful botanic gardens managed by Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and home to the Millennium Seed Bank.

Worthing Littlehampton

Lancing Shoreham-by-Sea

Hove

Brighton

Newhaven

Lewes

Bognor Regis

Chichester

Goodwood

Bignor Roman Villa

Cissbury Ring

Arundel

British Airways i360, Brighton

Arundel Castle

Getting here & around

Less than 80 minutes from London Victoria and 45 minutes from Gatwick Airport

train By rail

Frequent rail services from London Victoria and Gatwick Airport

National Rail Enquiries - 08457 48 49 50nationalrail.co.uk or trainline.com

Bus By coach

Daily coaches from London Victoria. National Express - 08717 81 81 81nationalexpress.com

Bus By bus

Regular services along the South Coast and connecting to the South Downs National Park and wider Sussex.

Stagecoach Travel Shop, 19-29 Marine Parade, Worthing 01903 237661 - stagecoachbus.com

bicycle By bike

No need to bring a bike to Worthing when you can join our bike hire scheme and pick up a Donkey Bike. Download the Donkey Republic App, see timeforworthing.uk for routes and inspiration.

ship By sea

Ferry services from Europe; Newhaven & Portsmouth (around 1 hours’ drive), Dover (around 2-3 hours’ drive). Or bring your own boat into Shoreham Harbour!

plane By air

London Gatwick (45 minutes), Heathrow Airport (1.5 hours), Brighton City Airport, Shoreham (15 mins) and Southampton airports (1.5 hours) are all within easy reach and have good rail link services to Worthing.

Le Havre Cherbourg-en-Cotentin

Isle of Wight

Map

It’s easy to get around Worthing on foot, or why not hire a bike through our cycle scheme. If you want to explore further afield we have excellent rail and bus networks, allowing you to make the most of your time here.

Steyne Gardens

Wor thing Museum and Gallery

Steyne Gardens

Wor thing Museum and Gallery

Steyne Gardens

Wor thing Museum and Gallery