Sussex town identified as 'UK’s most underrated coastal break'

The Times’ reporter Lizzie Frainier visited the Sussex seaside town and wrote a glowing piece about her experience – read it in full here.

"The best way to enjoy the town is indoors — just another reason why winter is the prime time to visit,” Lizzie wrote in her article, which was entitled: ‘I’ve found the UK’s most underrated coastal break’.

"On the train home, I felt far more revitalised after just one night here than on some of my longer but jam-packed recent breaks.”

The article described Worthing as a ‘surprisingly cool seaside resort’, which was ‘once an 18th-century wellness hotspot’ but is now home to ‘beach saunas, great galleries and fine dining’.

Despite admitting some parts of the town were not ‘postcard-perfect territory’, the writer gave a positive review of Colonnade House, Worthing Museum – and its Open 23 exhibition – as well as the Ukrainian Renaissance art and history gallery.

Lizzie continued: “Other highlights for hunkering indoors include the grade II-listed Edwardian Dome Cinema; a suite of trendy cocktail bars (Heartbreaker for date night; Melon for karaoke and dancing); and lively restaurants – Crudo for Mexican (mains from £8.50) and Crab Shack for seafood (mains from £13.50).”

Worthing Borough Council leader Beccy Cooper said she was ‘delighted’ that Worthing has ‘once again been identified by national media as a hidden gem on the South Coast’.

Dr Cooper added: “We have so much to offer, from our beautiful coastline to our excellent cafés and restaurants. Our arts and culture offer was exemplified and celebrated by our Worthing Festival this year, and our 2024 festival will be even bigger and better.

“Our communities are warm and friendly (defying Southern stereotypes!) and there is a sense of pride and belonging in our neighbourhoods.

“We all want the town to do well, and as leader of our council, it is my privilege to make sure that we play our part in creating a place where we can all thrive and that people love to visit."

Hannah Mamzaroli, Worthing’s business improvement district (BID) manager, said it is ‘lovely to see Worthing getting the national recognition it deserves’.

She added: “In my time here as Worthing BID manager I’ve met some incredibly positive and dedicated people working hard behind the scenes to put Worthing on the map.

"We are no longer just a sleepy seaside retirement town, we are a multi-faceted, friendly community, great for children, with a thriving arts and culture scene, hundreds of independent shops and restaurants and a vibrant night life to explore.

“We also have a jam-packed schedule of events planned by our in-house event manager carefully designed to bring people here. I’d say we are a town with a village feel.”