Worthing Pier facts for kids
Worthing Pier in October 2011
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| Official name | Worthing Pier |
|---|---|
| Type | Pleasure Pier |
| Design | Sir Robert Rawlinson |
| Total length | 960 feet (290 m) |
| Opening date | 12 April 1862 |
| Coordinates | 50°48′26″N 0°22′08″W / 50.807316°N 0.368923°W |
Worthing Pier is a famous pier located in Worthing, West Sussex, England. It's a popular spot where people can walk out over the sea. The pier was designed by Sir Robert Rawlinson and first opened its doors on April 12, 1862. It's still a busy and fun place for everyone to visit today.
When it first opened, the pier was a simple walkway about 291 meters (960 feet) long and 4.6 meters (15 feet) wide. Later, in 1888, it was made wider and a large building with 650 seats was added at the end. Today, Worthing Pier is recognized as a special historic building, called a Grade II listed building.
The pier has even won awards! The National Piers Society named it "Pier of the Year" twice, once in 2006 and again in 2019.
Contents
The Pier's Story: A Look Back
Worthing Pier has a long and interesting history, facing storms and changes over the years.
Early Days and First Events
In 1894, a steam ship started taking people between Worthing Pier and the Chain Pier in Brighton. One funny story from that year involves a 4-year-old boy named Archie Miles. He accidentally snuck onto a ship and ended up in Brighton, far from his family! Luckily, he was reunited with his parents the next day.
The very first moving picture show in Worthing was shown on the pier on August 31, 1896. This special event is remembered today with a blue plaque.
Facing Storms and Fire
The pier has been damaged several times by strong weather. In March 1913, a big storm hit on Easter Monday. It broke the pier in half, leaving the far end completely cut off from the land. People playfully called this isolated part 'Easter Island'. A new, rebuilt pier was opened just over a year later, on May 29, 1914.
Then, in September 1933, a fire destroyed most of the pier and its buildings, except for the part closest to the land. But the pier was rebuilt again! In 1935, a new, modern-looking pier opened. This is the beautiful Art Deco style pier you see today.
World War II and Beyond
During World War II, in 1940, a part of Worthing Pier was intentionally blown up. This was done to stop German invaders from using it as a landing spot if they tried to come ashore after the British retreat at Dunkirk. Army engineers created a 36-meter (120-foot) gap in the pier for safety.
Today, Worthing Borough Council owns and looks after the pier.
Fun Things to Do at Worthing Pier
Worthing Pier offers lots of activities and places to explore for visitors of all ages.
Buildings on the Pier
At the start of the pier, closest to the land, you'll find the Pavilion Theatre and the Denton Cafe. These are great spots to relax or catch a show.
In the middle of the pier is an amusement arcade. This arcade has been there since 1935! For many years, it had a famous sign that said 'New Amusements'. This sign even appeared on the cover of an album by the band Gene. Since 2006, the sign has changed to 'Pier Amusements'.
At the very end of the pier, over the sea, is the Southern Pavilion. This building has been many things over the years, including a cafe, a dance hall, and even a nightclub. It was fully renovated and reopened in April 2014. Now, it's a lovely tearoom and a place where people can hold events like weddings. It's also a popular spot for live music.
Exciting Events and Activities
Since 2008, Worthing Pier has been the home of the annual International Birdman competition. This fun event involves people trying to 'fly' off the pier into the water using homemade flying machines. It's a really exciting spectacle!
In November 2009, during very strong winds, two local kite surfers did something amazing. They became the first people to kitesurf right over the pier!
Awards and Recognition
Worthing Pier has been recognized for its beauty and popularity with these awards:
- 2006 - National Piers Society - Pier of the Year
- 2019 - National Piers Society - Pier of the Year
