Essential Hotels > England > West Sussex > Worthing

The town of Worthing sits by the seaside on the south coast of West Sussex. It has a lovely position between the South Downs and the sea. Long habited as far back as the Stone Age, Worthing was for many years a small settlement, attracting miners during the Iron Age and then Romans for its proximity to the sea. There is evidence of its Roman occupants, but it was the later Saxon village that put down the roots of the town as we see it today. For centuries, fishing was Worthing’s most prominent industry, but the Georgian enthusiasm for spas and the supposed rejuvenating properties of the coastal water turned Worthing into an 18th century resort destination. A visit from Princess Amelia, the youngest daughter or King George III significantly heightened its status. The turnpike road was built at the turn of the 19th century, making the town easier to reach. The railways followed roughly 40 years later. Worthing’s Georgian and Victorian heyday saw the construction of public gardens and squares, several of which remain dotted around the town.

Worthing’s seaside popularity continued into the 20th century, with visitors coming to enjoy the traditional delights of Worthing Pier, the esplanade, and the numerous stately homes in the surrounding countryside. The town is also only a few miles along the coast from the vibrant city of Brighton. Worthing is renowned for its artistic heritage. It has several famous and historic theatres and cinemas, and Worthing Museum and Art Gallery is worth a visit. Oscar Wilde found the town so inspiring that he wrote one of his most popular works, ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’, while on an extended holiday here. Similarly, the Nobel Prize-winning playwright, Harold Pinter, also stayed in Eastbourne for a time, writing ‘The Homecoming’ during his stay. A blue heritage plaque is displayed at Pinter’s former address. One of the largest towns in West Sussex, Worthing offers a host of attractions for the modern visitor, many of which have been attracting guests to the area for over three centuries.