Sussex History

History of Worthing

Worthing is a seaside town in West Sussex, England, at the foot of the South Downs, west of Brighton, and east of Chichester.

Starting life as a humble fishing hamlet until Princess Amelia, youngest daughter of George III, visited it in 1798. Writers Oscar Wilde and Harold Pinter lived and worked in the town.

The area around Worthing has been populated for at least 6,000 years and contains Britain's greatest concentration of Stone Age flint mines, which are some of the earliest mines in Europe. The Iron Age hill fort of Cissbury Ring is one of Britain's largest.

Since 2010, northern parts of the borough have formed part of the South Downs National Park. In 2019 Worthing Pier was named the best in Britain.

High Salvington Post Mill

An excellent example of a working black post mill dating from between approximately 1700 – 1720.

The Bonfire Boys

Throughout much of the 19th century, disturbances frequently occurred on Guy Fawkes Night in Worthing.

The Goring Smugglers

During the 18th century there were innumerable engagements between smugglers and customs men.

The Mad Miller and the Millers Tomb

What are the known facts about this miller who was born in 1709 and died in 1793?

The Skeleton and Salvation Army

On April 3rd 1884 a Captain Ada Smith was appointed as the new officer in charge of the Worthing Salvation Army.

The Dome Cinema

A stunning Edwardian cinema that first opened in April 1911. It has now been fully restored to its former glory and is open to the public.

Sussex History

History of Worthing

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