10 Facts About Worthing You Might Not Know

Think you know everything there is to know about Worthing? Think again. Here are 10 facts about the town you might not know.

  1. Worthing is the 29th biggest town in the UK with follow Sussex town Eastbourne directly above us in 28th place and Sutton Coldfield below in 30th position. Topping the table is Reading. Source: Love My Town 
  2. The area around Worthing contains Britain’s greatest concentration of Stone Age flint mines. The oldest of these mines is Church Hill, Findon. Source: Wikipedia 
  3. Worthing started out life as a small mackerel fishing hamlet. You can still buy fresh fish from fishermen at some of the town’s beaches
  4. Off the coast of Worthing lies one of Europe’s best underwater chalk reefs - known as Worthing Lumps. These underwater chalk cliff faces are up to three metres high and home to some rare fish. They lie around 5 miles off the coast and are a designated Marine Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI). Source: Wikipedia 
  5. Oscar Wilde wrote The Importance of Being Earnest while staying in Worthing in the summer of 1894.
  6. There are 213 listed buildings in Worthing borough - three of these are Grade I listed buildings. These are Castle Goring, St Mary’s Church (Broadwater) and The Old Palace (West Tarring)
  7. Several world records have been set in Worthing including the heaviest fig grown (295g), the longest football marathon and the most consecutive rounds of kickboxing
  8. Worthing Pier has survived several disasters. In 1913 strong gales caused the decking between the pier and shore to be washed away. In 1933 a fire destroyed the South Pavilion. In 1940, during World War II a hole was blown in the pier’s decking to stop it being used as a landing point for an enemy attack. Each time it has been lovingly repaired.
  9. Game of Thrones actress Gwendoline Christie was born in Worthing in 1978. She portrayed Brienne of Tarth. She also played Captain Phasma in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Source: Wikipedia 
  10. Worthing Pier became famous among indie fans in the 90s when it featured on the front cover of indie band Gene’s album To See the Lights