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Historical Buildings
Parsonage Row Cottages in Tarring High Street are superb examples of late 15th century houses of medieval close timbered construction. As the oldest inhabited dwelling in the Borough they have a unique interest.
Buildings of significance started to appear in the early 19th Century. Ambrose Place is the most famous example, but properties in Montague Place and Bedford Row, although altered over the years, still exist today.
Liverpool Terrace c.1830 was built as an elegant bow-fronted terrace of homes over looking a small park. Beach House along the Brighton Road is another example of a Regency Villa designed c.1820
In 1829, Park Crescent was built; an ambitious scheme, with an entrance in the form of a 'Triumphal Arch' of elegant design. The crescent as it stands today is only part of what was originally intended.
Heene Terrace, built in 1865, marks the western end of Marine Parade.
The Pier, 960ft in length and 18ft wide was designed by Sir Robert Rowlinson and opened in 1862. In 1913 most of it was destroyed by a severe storm but it was rebuilt in 1914 and its width increased to 36ft.
The Pier remains a fine example of its kind and for more information see the book 'Worthing Pier - a history' by Dr Sally White. Available from Worthing Museum.
In 1926 the Pavilion was constructed at the shore end of the pier in an Edwardian baroque style. Renovated a few years ago, it is the venue for top class entertainment in Worthing.
The Ritz in Union Place was the original theatre and dates from 1916. It is still in use as an entertainment venue and undergoing restoration to its former Edwardian glory.
The Connaught Theatre was established in 1931 and with its 'Art Deco' facade presents first class plays and musicals throughout the year.
The Dome opened in 1911 and originally called the Kursaal, it offered roller-skating, tearoom, dance hall and billiards. Converted to a cinema in 1921 it has been showing films ever since. It is a listed building and more details of its history can be obtained from the Worthing Dome Preservation Trust.
Salvington Mill (off A24 North of Worthing) is over 200 years old and is a fine example of a post mill, but ceased working as a mill in 1897. Extensive restoration work has been undertaken to bring it back to its former glory and it is now in full working order. The Mill is open to visitors during the summer. Contact the Tourist Information Centre for details.
Shoreham Airport (Lancing) licensed in 1910 it is the oldest municipal airport still in operation, and has a fine 'Art Deco' terminal building. There is an archive collection and guided tours are available.
Broadwater Church is the 'Mother' church of Worthing and is described as the oldest, most interesting and most important in the town. It is cruciform in shape, consisting of nave with north and south aisles, chancel, north and south transepts and a central tower.
St Paul's Church in Chapel Road was completed in 1812 because the Parish Church at Broadwater was found to be too far away and inadequate for the growing population when the town became a 'popular watering place'. The altar is unusually at the western end of the Church.
Christ Church was erected by private subscription in 1843 and is a neat building of split flintwork with white stone in the Gothic Style. A portion of the town of Worthing was formed into an Ecclesiastical Parish and attached to the Church in 1855.
St. Andrew's Church in Church Road, West Tarring was built in the 12th century. The Church was used during the Armada as a signalling station and look-out as the spire stands 137ft from the ground. There are impressive mosaics in the nave and the southerly window will be of interest to poetry-lovers.
Just outside the town's eastern boundary is the Saxon Sompting Church. The tower is the most interesting feature of the building, dating probably from the 11th century. It is a unique English example of a Saxon Church with a Rhenish Helm Tower.
Just north of Worthing, in the village of Findon, the Norman Church of St. John the Baptist is built of flint, like most of the old houses in the village, it is an architectural jumble of various styles and periods with a chimney rising from the roof of the nave.
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