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Worthing is an usually neglected seaside city in West Sussex. Whereas guests flock in overwhelming numbers to Brighton, simply 11 miles down the coast, Worthing by no means feels crowded.
But it has all the things you need from a traditional English seashore city—a wonderful pier, pebble seashore with deck chairs, fashionable Artwork Deco structure, and loads of leisure.
In recent times you’ve been capable of finding surprisingly good meals too. In addition to the important ice cream and fish and chips, gourmand and vegan eats abound.
It additionally appears to have its personal microclimate and locals boast that it’s all the time sunny in Worthing. It’s definitely one of many sunniest locations within the UK.
We’ve been visiting associates in Worthing for years and lately spent a month there to discover extra.
Listed below are our picks for the most effective issues to do in Worthing from mini golf to museums, parks to paddleboarding, in addition to day journeys to the close by South Downs Nationwide Park.
Worthing is a compact, walkable city. You’ll discover a map on the finish of the submit with all these Worthing sights.
Contents
Greatest Issues to Do in Worthing
All these locations to go to in Worthing are inside strolling distance of the pier.
1) Discover the Iconic Worthing Pier
Worthing Pier is the city’s most beloved landmark and a should do in Worthing.
The Grade II listed Artwork Deco pier was inbuilt 1862 and received UK Pier of the Yr for the second time in 2019.
It’s a stunning place for a stroll day and evening. The altering mild, climate, and tides imply it appears completely different each time. It’s particularly stunning within the night golden hour.
The white Nineteen Twenties Pavilions mark every finish of the pier and in-between you’ll discover a traditional amusement arcade (courting again to 1935) and ice cream stand.
I really like the shimmering vibrant stained glass home windows within the center which characteristic native data and paintings. After we visited the newest exhibition celebrated the ocean with pictures, poems, and artwork.
In 2022 the Southern Pavilion on the far finish of the pier was revamped into the brand new Perch on the Pier cafe. It’s a shocking house with sea views on all sides and scrumptious meals. See our information to the greatest eating places in Worthing for extra particulars.
On the different finish, the Worthing Pavilion Theatre hosts quite a lot of performances.
2) Stroll Alongside the Promenade
One other Worthing spotlight is the vast, flat pedestrian promenade that runs subsequent to the seashore. It stretches for 5 miles and is the most effective place in Worthing to stroll, run or cycle.
Alongside the best way, you’ll uncover native paintings, child’s playgrounds, enjoyable actions, and loads of locations to eat and drink.
My favorite route for a stroll is west from the pier (in direction of Goring) the place the promenade is wider and extra protected against the highway.
You’ll move Worthing Lido (as soon as a Nineteen Twenties bandstand, now an amusement arcade), quite a lot of meals vans and a pop-up sauna on weekends, vibrant seashore huts, and the Waterwise Playground.
Heading east of the pier in direction of Lancing you’ll discover much more sights—the Edwardian Dome Cinema, fishing boats, Rocks water fountain, mini-golf, seashore volleyball courts, artist huts, Gull Island Playground, and paddleboard rent.
Two of the greatest locations to eat in Worthing with a sea view are on this part—Coast and Bayside Social.
For runners, the free 5k Parkrun occasion takes place on the promenade on Saturday mornings.
3) Sunbathe or Swim on Worthing Seashore
Worthing has an extended shingle or pebble seashore that’s an incredible place to calm down on a sunny day. In summer season you may lease deckchairs for £4 a day.
Even on weekends it by no means feels too crowded and it will get quieter the farther from the pier you enterprise.
On sunny days the water is a surprisingly vibrant teal.
Excessive tide is greatest for swimming—even in winter, you’ll discover some hardy swimmers taking the plunge. In Might the water temperature was 12ºC and I loved my swims, nevertheless it’s too chilly for most individuals till excessive summer season.
Low tide is the most effective time for a stroll—the ocean retreats and exposes the sandy part of the seashore which is less complicated to stroll on than the pebbles.
That is additionally the time to go rock pooling. When you’ve got children, the most effective free Worthing actions is to select up a Marine Warrior backpack (£30 returnable deposit) from the Worthing Coastal Workplace—it has all of the gear it’s essential to discover life within the rock swimming pools.
4) Loosen up in a Sauna on the Seashore
One of the uncommon issues to do in Worthing is to get pleasure from a sauna on the seashore—one thing we by no means anticipated to see!
Hearth, Salt & Sea is a wood-fired Finnish-style sauna in a classic horse field that pops up on the seashore on Fridays to Sundays.
The sauna has a glass door and window so you may benefit from the sea view whilst you steam. It seats six individuals and also you guide a non-public session.
It’s greatest to guide prematurely to ensure a slot, however they do generally have walk-in availability (and this will work out cheaper for a pair). We booked for half-hour nevertheless it went shortly, so it is likely to be price going for an hour.
I like to recommend reserving for cover tide in order that it’s simple to leap into the ocean in the midst of your session to chill off (water sneakers will make this simpler on the pebbles).
5) See Worthing’s Stunning Gardens
Worthing has many small however stunning and well-maintained gardens.
Simply east of the Pier, Steyne Gardens is a small seafront park with a Triton fountain, benches, and a grassy space for picnics. It hosts winter ice skating and different occasions all year long.
A little bit additional on, stroll previous the mini-golf course and the tiny however beautiful Denton Gardens to succeed in Seashore Home Park. That is the biggest park in central Worthing and options many stunning flowers and timber, an avenue of maple timber, and a neighborhood backyard.
There’s additionally a bowling inexperienced, the Palm Court docket Pavilion cafe for breakfast or afternoon tea, and an uncommon memorial to WWII provider pigeons.
Within the different route from the pier, a 25-minute stroll alongside the promenade will take you to the 1930 Marine Gardens. Right here you’ll discover a fountain, bowls, placing, and a easy cafe. It’s near the Waterwise Playground.
A extra off-the-beaten-track park that’s price a wander is Amelia Park. It’s a shady little park with benches to benefit from the quiet, however what makes it stand out is its location subsequent to the curving Park Crescent.
This Georgian avenue options enormous Grade II listed homes from the early 1800s and is reached by a grand arch. It feels just like the setting of a Jane Austen novel.
6) Experience Bikes Alongside the Seafront
To make extra progress alongside Worthing’s promenade, I like to recommend renting bikes.
You will discover the orange Donkey bikes at varied spots close to the pier—unlock them utilizing their app, return them to any official stand, and also you’ll pay primarily based on how lengthy you had them (slightly below three hours price us £7 every).
Earlier than you set off in your bike experience, examine the climate. It’s greatest when it’s not windy as in any other case, the experience will probably be tough in a single route.
From the pier, you may cycle in both route previous all of the Worthing sights listed in #2.
I like the broader part of the promenade going west (and it is a good method to get to Marine Gardens shortly), however after about 20 minutes of biking you attain a slim path by the Goring by the Sea seashore huts and both should get off and stroll or experience on the highway.
For an extended experience, you’re higher off going east. There’s a motorbike path all the best way to Brighton however Shoreham is a extra achievable aim (11 miles/2-hour return) the place you may discover its fort, estuary, houseboats, and cute city centre with loads of cafes.
After biking first to Goring, we solely made it to Lancing on path to Shoreham.
Lancing is a good vacation spot because the cycle path and promenade are away from the highway and it’s very nice biking between the grassy inexperienced and seashore lined with vibrant huts. In case you are in want of sustenance, Perch cafe is true on the seashore.
Simply previous Lancing is the Widewater Lagoon the place you may see plenty of birdlife.
7) Stand Up Paddleboard or Kayak within the Sea
Renting a standup paddleboard (SUP) or kayak is a enjoyable method to get out on the water and see Worthing from a distinct perspective.
K66 close to Coast Cafe rents boards for £20 per hour together with a wetsuit and life jacket. You should have expertise of sea paddleboarding to lease; if not, guide a lesson with them.
Paddleboarding is greatest on a peaceful day and inside 4 hours of excessive tide. See the K66 webcam for present circumstances.
K66’s opening hours depend upon circumstances, however they’re normally open Wednesdays to Sundays (and Financial institution Holidays) from 10am to 6pm (8pm on busier days). They shut in winter.
An alternative choice in Goring by the Sea is GLO Wellbeing which rents paddleboards on the seashore and runs river SUP journeys.
In case you are much more adventurous, you may study to kite surf in Goring or Lancing. It’s a well-liked sport on this space the place the wind is usually up.
8) Compete at Seashore Volleyball
One other enjoyable Worthing exercise is to lease one of many sandy seashore volleyball courts and problem your pals or household to a recreation. It’s tougher than it appears, although!
Ebook a courtroom at Sideout, pay by Paypal, and also you’ll get the code to entry the courts. There’s normally a ball accessible to borrow.
9) Go to Worthing Museum and Gallery
One of many high issues to do in Worthing on a wet day is to go to the wonderful and free Worthing Museum.
The museum has one of many largest costume collections within the UK with garments courting again to the seventeenth century. You may also study concerning the historical past and geology of the native space and admire many archaeological finds.
Particular exhibitions imply it’s a museum to return to. After we visited we learnt concerning the historical past of Worthing as a seaside resort in A Journey to Worthing—seeing the outdated bathing fits was enjoyable.
They usually have inventive workshops right here too.
Worthing Museum and Gallery is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Verify their web site for opening hours on the opposite days.
10) Watch a Movie at a Traditional Cinema
Worthing has two of the oldest cinemas within the UK.
The Edwardian Dome Cinema dates again to 1911 and is an iconic sight on Marine Parade. It feels charmingly old style inside and you should buy a drink from the bar to take into the movie with you.
Costs are very reasonably priced, particularly on Mondays.
The 1914 Artwork Deco Connaught Theatre additionally reveals movies and hosts dwell occasions.
11) Play Mini Golf
Enjoying a spherical at Splash Level Mini Golf simply off the promenade is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Worthing with children.
There’s no fancy American themeing right here and it feels old style in a captivating means. The 18 holes seem easy however the bumpy course may be fairly difficult.
It’s open on weekends and college holidays.
An alternative choice is Marine Gardens which has a placing inexperienced.
12) Play a Board Recreation at Cube
The most effective indoor actions in Worthing is to go to the Cube Board Recreation Lounge.
For a small charge you may spend so long as you want on this cafe working your means by their array of video games. The pleasant workers is glad to make suggestions and present you play.
Meals and drinks are additionally accessible.
We had a enjoyable lunch right here taking part in Jaipur and consuming vegan sandwiches and quesadillas and would like to return. It’s an incredible exercise when the climate is dangerous otherwise you wish to socialise with out the main target being alcohol.
Cube is open Tuesdays to Sundays and closed on Mondays.
In case you are searching for extra wet day actions in Worthing, you might go bowling at AMF Bowling, paint pottery or make UV slime at Artwork-Ful Cafe, or take a look at your puzzle-solving skills at Mindworks Escape Room.
13) Eat and Drink from a Seafront Meals Truck
On a sunny weekend, one in every of my favorite actions in Worthing is to go to the seafront for a moveable feast from the meals vans on the promenade.
You will discover seafood, tacos, jacket potatoes, mac and cheese, locally-made gin and extra. It’s an effective way to get pleasure from a fast and reasonably priced meal within the excellent location.
In case you are visiting in the course of the week when the vans aren’t round, seize some fish and chips from Blue Ocean and eat on the seashore as a substitute.
See my information to the greatest locations to eat in Worthing for extra particulars.
14) Get pleasure from a Meal with a Sea View
Worthing has some improbable eating places with sea views. My favourites are Perch on the Pier (scrumptious meals and beautiful views on the finish of the pier), Bayside Social (inventive tapas on the promenade), and Coast (an off-the-cuff cafe subsequent to the seashore).
My Worthing eating places information has extra solutions.
15) Take pleasure in an Ice Cream
You may’t go to the seaside with out having an ice cream. For a traditional 99, I believe Molloys subsequent to Worthing Pavilion is the most effective spot (I wish to improve to a waffle cone).
For distinctive flavours, decide up a cone or cup from Boho Gelato inside Pizzaface restaurant. I nonetheless dream of their bitter cherry gelato (flavours change frequently so that you may not be capable to get your favourites while you return).
G-Lite on pedestrian Warwick St is the place to go for traditional Italian gelato.
16) Help Native Artists
Worthing has a thriving artwork scene and the native galleries are a wonderful place to select up a memento or reward. Some locations to take a look at embody:
- East Seashore Studios – A number of native artists promote their work in these transformed seashore huts.
- Two Confronted Twins – These two sisters make stunningly vibrant paintings of native scenes. Their store by the pier has all the things from greetings playing cards to assertion items.
- Colonnade Home – This small artwork gallery has altering exhibitions of native artwork.
- Montague Gallery – A lot of artwork and items by a variety of artists.
17) Store within the City Centre
If you wish to do some buying in Worthing, in addition to the artwork retailers above, yow will discover many impartial and excessive avenue shops.
Head to the Royal Arcade (small however fairly), pedestrianised Warwick Road, and Montague Road (for top avenue and charity retailers).
HISBE is without doubt one of the greatest locations for meals buying with many gadgets accessible plastic-free.
Issues to Do Close to Worthing
These locations to go to close to Worthing require a automotive or bus experience to get to.
18) Stroll Up Highdown Hill
A beautiful countryside escape simply 20 minutes from Worthing is Highdown Hill within the South Downs.
The grassy hill isn’t very steep and you may select to stroll so far as you want. We did the two.2 mile Highdown and Highdown Hill loop stroll which took us 45 minutes.
From the highest of the hill there are wonderful views of Worthing, Brighton, and the distant white cliffs of Beachy Head. When you’ve reached the highest it’s pretty stage and also you move fields of yellow rapeseed fields and an outdated windmill.
After your stroll you may go to Highdown Gardens or get refreshments at The Highdown pub (which has a big beer backyard) or tea room.
19) Admire Highdown Gardens
Highdown Gardens are positioned simply earlier than the beginning of the stroll up Highdown Hill.
The flower-filled chalk gardens are a wonderful place to calm down. In April the tulips and cherry blossoms have been in bloom.
They’re open every single day from 10am till nightfall and are free to go to.
20) Climb Cissbury Ring
Cissbury Ring is one other fascinating place to go to within the South Downs Nationwide Park. It’s solely a 15-minute drive from Worthing and is right for historical past and nature lovers.
It’s the second largest hill fort in England courting again to 400BC. For 300 years it was used for defence earlier than the within was used for agriculture.
There are a selection of walks you are able to do within the space. We parked on the free Storrington Rise automotive park and did a 2.2 mile/45-minute loop up the hill and across the high.
We didn’t discover the stroll up the grassy hill tough and from the highest you may get pleasure from views of Brighton and the south coast past. On a sunny day it’s a pleasing place to wander with butterflies, flowers, and wild ponies. It will be stunning at dawn or sundown.
Map of Worthing Sights
Is Worthing Price Visiting?
Worthing is an underrated gem on England’s south coast and is properly price a go to in case you are searching for a relaxed seaside vacation. It’s superb for a visit that mixes the seashore, countryside, good meals, and enjoyable actions.
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