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Worthing is an typically neglected seaside city in West Sussex. While guests flock in overwhelming numbers to Brighton, simply 11 miles down the coast, Worthing by no means feels crowded.
Yet it has every thing you need from a traditional English seashore city—a stupendous pier, pebble seashore with deck chairs, trendy Art Deco structure, and loads of leisure.
In current years you’ve been capable of finding surprisingly good meals too. As effectively because 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 at all times sunny in Worthing. It’s actually one of many sunniest locations within the UK.
We’ve been visiting associates in Worthing for years and not too long ago spent a month there to discover extra.
Here 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 National Park.
Worthing is a compact, walkable city. You’ll discover a map on the finish of the put up with all these Worthing sights.
Contents
Best Things to Do in Worthing
All these locations to go to in Worthing are inside strolling distance of the pier.
1) Explore the Iconic Worthing Pier
Worthing Pier is the city’s most beloved landmark and a should do in Worthing.
The Grade II listed Art Deco pier was inbuilt 1862 and received UK Pier of the Year for the second time in 2019.
It’s a beautiful place for a stroll day and night time. The altering gentle, climate, and tides imply it seems completely different each time. It’s particularly lovely 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 (relationship 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. When we visited the most recent 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 surprising area with sea views on all sides and scrumptious meals. See our information to the finest eating places in Worthing for extra particulars.
At the opposite finish, the Worthing Pavilion Theatre hosts quite a lot of performances.
2) Stroll Along the Promenade
Another Worthing spotlight is the huge, 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.
Along 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 the direction of Goring) the place the promenade is wider and extra protected against the highway.
You’ll go 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 the 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 finest 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 Beach
Worthing has an extended shingle or pebble seashore that’s an awesome place to loosen up on a sunny day. In summer time you possibly can hire 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.
High tide is finest for swimming—even in winter, you’ll discover some hardy swimmers taking the plunge. In May the water temperature was 12ºC and I loved my swims, but it surely’s too chilly for most individuals till excessive summer time.
Low tide is the most effective time for a stroll—the ocean retreats and exposes the sandy part of the seashore which is simpler to stroll on than the pebbles.
This can also be the time to go rock pooling. If you may have youngsters, probably the greatest free Worthing actions is to choose up a Marine Warrior backpack (£30 returnable deposit) from the Worthing Coastal Office—it has all of the gear it’s essential to discover life within the rock swimming pools.
4) Relax in a Sauna on the Beach
One of probably the most 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!
Fire, 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 possibly can benefit from the sea view whilst you steam. It seats six folks and also you ebook a non-public session.
It’s finest to ebook prematurely to ensure a slot, however they do generally have walk-in availability (and this could work out cheaper for a pair). We booked for half-hour but it surely went rapidly, so it is likely to be price going for an hour.
I like to recommend reserving for cover tide in order that it’s straightforward to leap into the ocean in the course of your session to chill off (water sneakers will make this simpler on the pebbles).
5) See Worthing’s Beautiful Gardens
Worthing has many small however lovely and well-maintained gardens.
Just 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.
Somewhat additional on, stroll previous the mini-golf course and the tiny however pretty Denton Gardens to achieve Beach House Park. This is the biggest park in central Worthing and options many lovely flowers and bushes, an avenue of maple bushes, and a group backyard.
There’s additionally a bowling inexperienced, the Palm Court Pavilion cafe for breakfast or afternoon tea, and an uncommon memorial to WWII provider pigeons.
In the opposite route from the pier, a 25-minute stroll alongside the promenade will take you to the 1930 Marine Gardens. 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 big Grade II listed homes from the early 1800s and is reached by means of a grand arch. It feels just like the setting of a Jane Austen novel.
6) Ride Bikes Along the Seafront
To make extra progress alongside Worthing’s promenade, I like to recommend renting bikes.
You can 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 based mostly on how lengthy you had them (just below three hours price us £7 every).
Before you set off in your bike trip, verify the climate. It’s finest when it’s not windy as in any other case, the trip shall be troublesome in a single route.
From the pier, you possibly can 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 option to get to Marine Gardens rapidly), however after about 20 minutes of biking you attain a slender path by the Goring by the Sea seashore huts and both should get off and stroll or trip on the highway.
For an extended trip, you might be higher off going east. There’s a motorbike path all the best way to Brighton however Shoreham is a extra achievable objective (11 miles/2-hour return) the place you possibly can 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. If you might be in want of sustenance, Perch cafe is true on the seashore.
Just previous Lancing is the Widewater Lagoon the place you possibly can see numerous birdlife.
7) Stand Up Paddleboard or Kayak within the Sea
Renting a standup paddleboard (SUP) or kayak is a enjoyable option to get out on the water and see Worthing from a unique perspective.
K66 close to Coast Cafe rents boards for £20 per hour together with a wetsuit and life jacket. You will need to have expertise of sea paddleboarding to hire; if not, ebook a lesson with them.
Paddleboarding is finest on a peaceful day and inside 4 hours of excessive tide. See the K66 webcam for present circumstances.
K66’s opening hours rely upon circumstances, however they’re normally open Wednesdays to Sundays (and Bank Holidays) from 10am to 6pm (8pm on busier days). They shut in winter.
Another choice in Goring by the Sea is GLO Wellbeing which rents paddleboards on the seashore and runs river SUP journeys.
If you might be much more adventurous, you possibly can study to kite surf in Goring or Lancing. It’s a preferred sport on this space the place the wind is commonly up.
8) Compete at Beach Volleyball
Another enjoyable Worthing exercise is to hire one of many sandy seashore volleyball courts and problem your pals or household to a sport. It’s tougher than it seems, although!
Book a courtroom at Sideout, pay by Paypal, and also you’ll get the code to entry the courts. There’s normally a ball out there to borrow.
9) Visit Worthing Museum and Gallery
One of the highest issues to do in Worthing on a wet day is to go to the superb and free Worthing Museum.
The museum has one of many largest costume collections within the UK with garments relationship again to the seventeenth century. You may also study concerning the historical past and geology of the native space and admire many archaeological finds.
Special exhibitions imply it’s a museum to return to. When we visited we learnt concerning the historical past of Worthing as a seaside resort in A Trip to Worthing—seeing the outdated bathing fits was enjoyable.
They typically have inventive workshops right here too.
Worthing Museum and Gallery is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Check their web site for opening hours on the opposite days.
10) Watch a Film at a Classic 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 school inside and you should buy a drink from the bar to take into the movie with you.
Prices are very reasonably priced, particularly on Mondays.
The 1914 Art Deco Connaught Theatre additionally exhibits movies and hosts dwell occasions.
11) Play Mini Golf
Playing a spherical at Splash Point Mini Golf simply off the promenade is likely one of the finest issues to do in Worthing with youngsters.
There’s no fancy American themeing right here and it feels old school in an enthralling manner. The 18 holes seem easy however the bumpy course may be fairly difficult.
It’s open on weekends and college holidays.
Another choice is Marine Gardens which has a placing inexperienced.
12) Play a Board Game at Dice
One of the most effective indoor actions in Worthing is to go to the Dice Board Game Lounge.
For a small payment you possibly can spend so long as you want on this cafe working your manner by means of their array of video games. The pleasant workers is glad to make suggestions and present you methods to play.
Food and drinks are additionally out there.
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 awesome exercise when the climate is dangerous otherwise you need to socialise with out the main focus being alcohol.
Dice is open Tuesdays to Sundays and closed on Mondays.
If you might be on the lookout for extra wet day actions in Worthing, you could possibly go bowling at AMF Bowling, paint pottery or make UV slime at Art-Ful Cafe, or take a look at your puzzle-solving skills at Mindworks Escape Room.
13) Eat and Drink from a Seafront Food Truck
On a sunny weekend, considered one of my favorite actions in Worthing is to move to the seafront for a moveable feast from the meals vans on the promenade.
You can discover seafood, tacos, jacket potatoes, mac and cheese, locally-made gin and extra. It’s a good way to get pleasure from a fast and reasonably priced meal within the excellent location.
If you might be 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 an alternative.
See my information to the finest locations to eat in Worthing for extra particulars.
14) Enjoy a Meal with a Sea View
Worthing has some unbelievable 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 recommendations.
15) Indulge in an Ice Cream
You can’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, choose up a cone or cup from Boho Gelato inside Pizzaface restaurant. I nonetheless dream of their bitter cherry gelato (flavours change recurrently so that you may not be capable of get your favourites if you return).
G-Lite on pedestrian Warwick St is the place to go for traditional Italian gelato.
16) Support Local Artists
Worthing has a thriving artwork scene and the native galleries are a superb place to choose up a memento or reward. Some locations to take a look at embrace:
- East Beach Studios – Several native artists promote their work in these transformed seashore huts.
- Two Faced Twins – These two sisters make stunningly vibrant paintings of native scenes. Their store by the pier has every thing from greetings playing cards to assertion items.
- Colonnade House – This small artwork gallery has altering exhibitions of native artwork.
- Montague Gallery – Lots of artwork and presents by a spread of artists.
17) Shop within the Town Centre
If you need to do some procuring in Worthing, in addition to the artwork retailers above, you’ll find many impartial and excessive avenue shops.
Head to the Royal Arcade (small however fairly), pedestrianised Warwick Street, and Montague Street (for top avenue and charity retailers).
HISBE is likely one of the finest locations for meals procuring with many gadgets out there plastic-free.
Things to Do Near Worthing
These locations to go to close to Worthing require a automobile or bus trip to get to.
18) Walk 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. Once you’ve reached the highest it’s pretty stage and also you go fields of yellow rapeseed fields and an outdated windmill.
After your stroll you possibly can 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 situated simply earlier than the beginning of the stroll up Highdown Hill.
The flower-filled chalk gardens are a stupendous place to loosen up. In April the tulips and cherry blossoms had been in bloom.
They are open day by 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 National Park. It’s solely a 15-minute drive from Worthing and is good for historical past and nature lovers.
It’s the second largest hill fort in England relationship again to 400BC. For 300 years it was used for defence earlier than the within was used for agriculture.
There are quite a lot of walks you are able to do within the space. We parked on the free Storrington Rise automobile 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 troublesome and from the highest you possibly can 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 can be lovely at dawn or sundown.
Map of Worthing Attractions
Is Worthing Worth Visiting?
Worthing is an underrated gem on England’s south coast and is effectively price a go to in case you are on the lookout for a relaxed seaside vacation. It’s very best for a visit that mixes the seashore, countryside, good meals, and enjoyable actions.
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