- Worthing Pier is in West Sussex, England.
- Grade II
- Check access, weather and local guidance before travelling.
About Worthing Pier
Worthing Pier is a Grade II listed pier on the West Sussex coast, an elegant Victorian structure that houses the Pier Pavilion theatre and an art gallery. It is quieter and more refined than many of its peers, suited to the town's genteel character.
The story of Worthing Pier
The pier was opened in 1862, designed by Sir John Rennie and built by the Worthing Pier Company at a cost of £6,500. It was extended in 1888 to accommodate paddle steamers, and a pavilion was built at the pier head in 1898. The pier was sectioned during the Second World War to prevent enemy landings, and the seaward end was destroyed by a storm in February 1913 that broke the pier in two. The pier head was rebuilt, and the current pavilion dates from a 1935 Art Deco rebuild. The pier was Grade II listed in 1976 and the pier head theatre remains a cultural venue.
Visiting with care
Open year-round, the pier houses the Pier Pavilion which hosts comedy, music and film screenings, and the Richmond Gallery which shows contemporary art. It is in the centre of Worthing and a short walk from the town's shops and cafés.
Interesting facts
- Opened in 1862, designed by Sir John Rennie.
- Broken in two by a storm in February 1913, with the pier head rebuilt.
- The current Art Deco pavilion was built in 1935.
- Grade II listed, with a pier head theatre and art gallery.
Getting there
Parking and access details — check locally for the latest information.