Worthing has a great depth of heritage to celebrate. Although the history of the area begins in prehistoric times the present importance and identity of the town developed form the late 18th and early 19th century. The visits from Princess Amelia in 1798, Princess Charlotte in 1807 and Princess Augusta in 1829 did much to make the town popular and it became a fashionable coastal resort.. This is reflected in the beautiful Regency Terraces, later Victorian houses and Edwardian villas. There is an elegant seafront Victorian Pier and later Art Deco buildings. which add interest to the promenade. We have over 300 graded listed buildings and twenty six conservation areas. Our unique heritage gives us a sense of pride and place.
The Society has also highlighted the fascinating characters who have lived in the town by establishing the Blue Plaque Heritage Trail to develop the social history of the town, These important associations include Jane Austen, Oscar Wilde, William Hudson (founder of the RSPB) and more recently Harold Pinter. Worthing also has an important maritime history and the Society has dedicated a memorial to the early lifeboatmen who were local fishermen. Before the RNLI was established they went out in open boats from circa 1832 to effect many heroic rescues. The Worthing Society has donated a Memorial Stone which is in the Memorial Garden at Splash Point. An Information Board was later added by private donation All these details will be in our Archive which we hope you will enjoy using.
Susan Belton
Worthing Society Chair
16.06.22