Worthing
Explore the history and community of Worthing.
Images
Many thousands of images of Worthing can be found on our West Sussex Past Pictures website.
Go to 'Advanced Search: Catalogue' and search for 'Worthing' in 'Any Text'.
Further images of Worthing are also available on the West Sussex Record Office Online Photo Database.
Newspapers
The current edition of the Worthing Herald is available to view at Broadwater, Durrington, Ferring, Findon, Goring and Worthing libraries. Paper copies are kept for one month in all libraries except Worthing, where they are kept for one year. A browsable collection of newspaper cuttings about local topics is kept at Broadwater Library.
Back issues of the Worthing Herald 2017 onwards, the Worthing Gazette 1884, 1901-1925 and 1939-1945 and a collection of newspaper cuttings about the Worthing area are available to view on the public computers in all 36 West Sussex Libraries, as searchable digital copies.
The Argus and West Sussex Gazette are available to library members from home via Press Reader.
The Worthing Herald and monthly Worthing Journal magazine have some content available online through their websites and Facebook pages. Some back issues of Inside Broadwater, Durrington and Tarring magazines are available online
The Times Digital Archive includes some coverage of events in Worthing and West Sussex from 1785-2014 and is available to all library members from home. The British Newspaper Archive has digitised copies of the Worthing Gazette 1889-1960 and the Worthing Herald 1921-1958. You can access the BNA for free through the public computers in any West Sussex Library.
For any enquiries about newspapers, please use our Ask a Librarian form.
Maps
A current map of Worthing can be found on the Ordnance Survey website.
A variety of maps, from historic to tourist and car parking, are available on the Adur & Worthing Council website.
Many historic maps of Worthing are also available on the National Library of Scotland Maps Database.
Directories
Some Kellys Sussex Directories can be found on Ancestry - available free in all West Sussex Libraries. Some directories are available as digitised copies on the public computers in all libraries - see our Digitised Directories Helpsheet. You can search the library catalogue to see which directories are available on microfiche. For any queries, please use our Ask a Librarian form.
House History
If you are researching the history of your house, the National Archives House Research Guide is a good place to start.
West Sussex Record Office also have many sources to help with your investigations.
Online Resources
A collection of newspaper articles written by the journalist Freddie Feest.
Online archive of the exhibition held at the Chatsworth Hotel in Worthing 2015 by Worthing WOW.
Marian Frost, Rebel Victorian Librarian
Blog about the pioneering librarian of Worthing Library and Museum.
21 Reasons Why Worthing Should Have a Public Library: An 1892 Campaign for Our Times
Blog by Dr Annebella Pollen, University of Brighton
Victoria County History: Worthing
Founded in 1899 and originally dedicated to Queen Victoria, the Victoria County History (VCH) is an encyclopaedic record of England's places and people from earliest times to the present day.
Worthing Historic Character Assessment Report
Survey which explores the history of Worthing, including its historic buildings.
Worthing Borough Council's guide to Listed Buildings in Worthing.
Local Walks
12 walking trails exploring places of historical interest around Worthing. Available to print or download.
A heritage trail through the town, taking in those sites where a Blue Plaque has been erected to commemorate memorable people, buildings or events in the town’s history. Published by the Worthing Society.
Local Organisations
Friends of Broadwater and Worthing Cemetery
Dedicated to the restoration of the cemetery and the preservation of the history contained within it. Provide regular guided tours of the cemetery on different topics, and produce accompanying booklets (see library catalogue for more details).
Carry out maintenance of ground, identification and research of graves, preservation of artefacts and safeguarding of wildlife. Tours and a book coming soon.
Worthing Archaeological Society
Organise excavations, talks and other events.
Local community group dedicated to the upkeep and regeneration of Homefield Park. Website includes some information about the history of the Park.
Aims to support and promote the work of the National Trust through meetings with speakers on subjects of interest, outings to National Trust and other properties, an annual short break holiday in September, and occasional social events.
Aims to conserve and preserve the architectural amenities of Worthing and the surrounding area, and to stimulate interest and research into the town’s history, through blue plaques for example.
Local Information
Adur and Worthing Council - Local Council Website
Discover Worthing - Worthing's Official Tourist Information website
Worthing and Adur Chamber of Commerce - Information about and support for local businesses
A27 Worthing and Lancing Improvement
More Help and Information
For further information and help with any of these resources, please fill in an Ask a Librarian form and the Enquiries Team will be happy to help.