WorthingWorthing has been an important place for many centuries. The town's history goes back a long way. The hills surrounding the town hosted several flint mines in neolithic times, and there are still a number of locations in the area where artifacts have been dug up from that period. The Romans also occupied the town, and it is believed that a number of roads in the town were laid by them. The town certainly fits the typical Roman 'centuriation' system. Worthing was also occupied by the Saxons, and it is mentioned in the Domesday Book, by that time it had fallen into Norman hands. The book mentions Ordinges and Mordinges, with a population of 22. Ordinges later became known as Wordding. Worthing's population increased rapidly in the 19th century. Following a number of Royal visits since 1795, Worthing was grated town status in 1803. At that time the population was about 2,500, but that number increased sharply during the following century, especially after the arrival of the railway in 1845. The town continued to grow in the 20th Century, but later at the expense of a number of historic buildings in the town. The old Theater Royal, the former Town Hall, built in 1834, and several other Victorian and medieval features were all pulled down as part of the town's modernisation plan in the later part of the last century. At that time Worthing had acquired a fair bit of industry, including a decent car manufacturing business. Today Worthing has a population of about 100,000 and it remains a popular resort for many people. Benefitting from its location on the South Coast, the Sunny town has much to offer young and old. |