‘I grew up in one of the UK’s best seaside towns – it’s full of hidden gems’

Worthing is popular among commuters and beach lovers alike but the seaside town has more to offer than just the beach, with plenty of bars, restaurants and green spaces hidden between the colourful promenade and South Downs National Park.

Set across an area of 12.5 square miles, the borough is the second largest component of the Brighton and Hove built-up area and yet remains an underdog of the Southeast.

The West Sussex destination was recently put on the map as the home of record-setting running champion Russ Cook, better known as ‘The Hardest Geezer‘, but also boasts the status as one of the best British seaside towns to move to in 2023, according to Time Out.

I was fortunate enough to grow up on the coast myself, and have witnessed first-hand the evolution of Worthing from a dreary ageing town to one that’s bustling with quirky places to eat and drink.

New research by VSO calculates that the seaside spot has an impressive 254 restaurants, 26 cafes, and 11 bars, plus a solid four out of five-star beach review score.

Worthing Beach is easy to find with the vast pebbly coastline stretching the width of the town centre across to East Pier, Worthing. Set below the neat promenade which is lined with historical architecture across the road, the town was once a destination for health and fresh air.

Now, it’s an attraction for socialising and sports with paddle boarding, windsurfing, kite surfing and kayaking all popular among locals. On a summer’s evening, you’ll find many joggers and cyclists making their way along the promenade and the sea filled with watersports fans at low tide.

Anyone looking for a refreshing drink or bite to eat will find it easy to stumble along great restaurants, cafes and bars on the seafront, with The Cow Shed being a great choice for cocktail lovers and those who like to dine al-fresco with a view. Heading East along the front, there are more locally-renowned gems including the Beach House which serves coffee, food and drinks day and night, and Crab Shack for seafood fans.

The Dome is an impressive Art-Deco building that’s hard to miss, serving as a local cinema that shows all the latest blockbusters for as little as £5.50 per ticket. This stunning Edwardian cinema first opened in April 1911 and has since been fully restored to maintain its impressive grandeur.

Perch on the Pier is another beloved gem of Worthing, renowned for its unique end-of-pier location. It looks modest from its wooden white doors, but the interior is one to remember with an open kitchen and grand staircase with an open mezzanine. The breakfast menu is small but delicious, and there are plenty of exciting options for lunch and dinner.

In the town centre, Warwick Street is a must-visit for foodies, with some of the town’s best spots located down here. Finch Bar and Eatery is renowned for its Instagrammable breakfast, brunch, coffee and cocktails and its sister site, a Mexican restaurant named Crudo is a minute away on the seafront. 

Elsewhere in the town, Rowlands Road houses a few lesser-spotted eateries, including the fine-dining spot Ami Bistro and the bustling Malt Cafe which serves rustic breakfast dishes; think stacked pancakes, fry-ups and chorizo hash, plus fresh pastries and great coffee until 4pm every day.

As for things to do, Worthing is not short on activities, especially in the summer. Every July the town hosts its local festival in the last two weeks of the month. It includes a fairground on the promenade, plus music, theatre, dance, art, heritage, comedy, spoken word, workshops, film, outdoor and family events.

Sea swimming is doable all year round with the Fire Salt Sea pop-up sauna ready to warm you up Finnish-style after a dip, albeit for a small fee. It should be noted that the bathing water quality at Worthing and Goring Beach may be affected by surface water and urban drainage during and after heavy rainfall, according to Adur and Worthing councils. 

Elsewhere in Worthing, the South Downs National Park is home to a range of beautiful walks, including a trip up to Cissbury Ring where New Forest ponies roam. Start at the foot of Shepherds Mead and walk up to the National Trust site or try your hand at cycling up the challenging incline. 

The top of the route offers unrivalled views over the town and straight out to sea which is lined with a wind farm. Alternatively, visit the unique chalk garden at Highdown and wander across the Downs to Angmering, where you can embark on the path near The Spotted Cow.

Getting to Worthing is easy, with three train stations servicing the main town; East Worthing, Worthing, and West Worthing. It’s very walkable too, though it lacks cycle paths in the road networks. As far as public transport goes, buses make frequent connections between the seafront, town and wider areas, but for those who drive, parking is easy to come by outside of the town centre.