A Day in Worthing’s Old Town: Hidden Gems You Shouldn’t Miss

Worthing is one of those places that sneaks up on you—quietly charming, deeply textured, and just a little bit mysterious. Tucked between the crashing waves of the English Channel and the green folds of the South Downs, it’s a town that reveals its treasures slowly. Most people make a beeline for the beach or the pier, but let me take you somewhere better: the Old Town.

I’ve spent years exploring the nooks and crannies of British coastal towns, and Worthing’s old centre is among the most rewarding. In just one day, I wandered through centuries-old alleyways, sampled artisanal fudge, and stumbled upon a bookshop with a secret garden.

Here’s my guide to five hidden gems in Worthing’s Old Town—places that feel like they belong to another time, but speak right to your modern soul.

1. 🌿 St. Mary’s Churchyard & the Whispering Wall

📍 Church Street, Worthing BN11 1LZ

Let me start at a place many locals walk past without ever pausing—St. Mary’s Churchyard. At first glance, it’s just a peaceful green square near the Worthing Museum. But take a seat on the curved limestone bench near the back, and lean in. If someone whispers from the other end, you’ll hear them—clear as day.

Locals call it the “Whispering Wall.” I first tested it with a fellow traveller I’d met over brunch at The Pantry. We were both stunned—and amused—by how well it worked. It feels like a quiet kind of magic.

💸 Cost: Free
📷 Must-Snap: The ivy-draped headstones and the timeless stonework of the church.
🛍️ Souvenir Tip: Head to nearby Vintage Vogue (35 Warwick Street) to grab an antique postcard or Victorian locket—it pairs perfectly with the old-world mood.

2. ☕ The Bookshelf Café & Secret Garden

📍 93 Montague Street, Worthing BN11 3BN

This café is my favourite writing nook in the entire county. Tucked behind a nondescript black door on Montague Street, it opens up into a space filled with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, locally made cakes, and mismatched armchairs. Walk through the back—and surprise!—you’ll find a secret garden with string lights and an honesty bar for herbal teas.

Try their lemon thyme drizzle cake and a pour-over brewed from locally roasted beans.

💸 Cost: £6–£10 for coffee and cake
📱 Pro Tip: It’s not on Google Maps as a café—search for “Montague Book Exchange” instead.
🎟️ Nearby Activity: Pick up tickets for Worthing Museum & Gallery on Art Tickets UK and make a culture-filled afternoon of it.

3. 🧵 Cuckoo’s Corner Artisan Workshop

📍 5 Ann Street, Worthing BN11 1NP

Just off Chapel Road lies a creative sanctuary. Cuckoo’s Corner is a former tailor’s workshop turned collaborative makers’ space. Think embroidery, letterpress, ceramics, and lino printing—all handmade by local artists. I walked in looking for earrings and left with a block-printed Worthing skyline tote.

What I loved most? You can book a mini workshop for under £20 and make your own keepsake.

💸 Cost: Entry is free. Workshops: £10–£25.
🎁 Must-Buy: Hand-stitched textile bookmarks—each one features a different Worthing landmark.
🛠️ Activity Tip: Book ahead for a 45-minute letterpress session on Eventbrite UK.

4. 🕰️ Clock Tower Curiosities & the Timeless Teashop

📍 Corner of Brighton Road & Steyne Gardens, Worthing BN11 3DZ

No map will tell you this, but Worthing’s old town clock tower has a tiny curiosity shop nestled at its base. It’s only open Fridays to Sundays, and it’s run by an eccentric couple who collect anything from Victorian teaspoons to obscure postcards. I picked up a WWI diary here—pages faded and inked with longing.

Attached to it is a one-table teashop with handmade bunting, daily scones, and Earl Grey served in 1920s china. It’s like stepping inside a memory.

💸 Cost: £4–£7 for tea and cake
📸 Must-Capture: The ornate clock face with the sea peeking behind it
🎫 Bonus: Ask the owner about Worthing’s ghost tour schedule—they often have fliers no one else does.

5. 🖼️ Hidden Mural Trail along Warwick Lane

📍 Warwick Lane, Worthing BN11 3DQ

Walk slowly. That’s the only advice I’ll give. Warwick Lane looks like any pedestrian alley until you look up, down, and behind you. Over a dozen murals—many hidden in plain sight—adorn the shop shutters, flower boxes, and drainpipes. There’s a fox wearing a monocle, a galaxy painted on a lamppost, and a quote from Woolf just above the bakery door.

This was created by a collective of local artists known as “Seaside Scribbles.” What started as protest art against high-street closures has turned into Worthing’s most beloved Instagram trail.

💸 Cost: Free
📲 Navigation Tip: Use Hidden Street Art UK to find a few of the sneakier ones
📱 Bonus: Snap and tag @WorthingOldTown to get featured in the town’s monthly digital zine.

🎨 Extend Your Day: Worthing Old Town Activities Not to Miss

Even after visiting the main hidden gems, there’s plenty more to do in and around the Old Town that’ll make your one-day visit feel full, rich, and well worth the effort. I always try to balance out walking with creativity, local flavour, and a bit of unexpected fun.

🎭 Catch a Show at Connaught Theatre

📍 Union Place, Worthing BN11 1LG
This classic 1914 cinema-turned-theatre offers vintage charm and surprisingly eclectic programming—live comedy, indie film nights, Shakespeare on Tuesdays. Grab a ticket for £8–£15 via ATG Tickets, and if you’re lucky, you might even catch a Worthing-based play in the line-up. Bonus: the bar upstairs has panoramic views of the Downs.

🧘 Sunrise or Sunset Yoga at Steyne Gardens

📍 Opposite the Esplanade, BN11 3DT
Yes, you read that right. Local yogis often gather for pay-what-you-can outdoor sessions on sunny days. I’ve joined twice, and there’s something undeniably magical about stretching into warrior pose with the sea breeze curling around your arms. Look out for sign-ups via Meetup UK.

🍽️ Where to Eat After Exploring the Old Town

Old Town Worthing may feel quaint, but it has a surprising number of indie food spots and chef-driven kitchens—especially for such a compact area.

🥘 Pitch by Kenny Tutt

📍 50-52 Warwick Street, BN11 3DQ
This is Michelin MasterChef winner Kenny Tutt’s pride and joy. I’ve dined here twice, and both times left speechless. The small plates are locally inspired—crab toast with seaweed butter, Sussex lamb with mint crème fraîche—and the service is elegant without being fussy. Expect to spend around £30–£40 per person.

Reserve via OpenTable, and look out for weekday lunch specials.

🍷 The Fat Greek Taverna

📍 4 Warwick Street, BN11 3DL
If you’re craving Mediterranean after all that walking, this is the spot. The moussaka is legendary, and the grilled halloumi is some of the best I’ve had in the UK. Their “sharing plates for two” go for about £25 total. Always busy, always buzzing.

Best Tip: Walk in before 6 PM, and you’ll usually snag a table—even on weekends.

🛏️ Where to Stay Near Worthing Old Town

You don’t need to leave the charm of the old town behind when it’s time to sleep. Several boutique hotels and stylish guesthouses are within walking distance from everything above.

🛌 The Ardington Hotel

📍 Steyne Gardens, BN11 3DZ
Elegant and family-run, this Georgian townhouse is just off the beach but quiet enough to feel like a retreat. Rooms are traditionally decorated, and breakfast includes locally baked pastries and handmade granola.

• 💰 Rates: £85–£130 per night
• 📱 Book via Hotels.com, Booking.com, or the official site

🏨 The Shelley

📍 19 Marine Parade, BN11 3PS
A newer boutique stay that blends coastal minimalism with thoughtful design. I love the rain showers and eco-friendly linens. And yes, sea views from some of the top-floor rooms.

• 💰 Rates: £95–£140 per night
• 🎟️ Insider Tip: Direct bookings often include breakfast and late checkout.

🎟️ Booking Tools & Platforms I Rely On (And Recommend to You)

Travelling across the UK means juggling train fares, last-minute theatre tickets, and the ever-shifting winds of British weather. Here are my trusted go-to platforms to streamline your day trip to Worthing—or any UK town, for that matter.

✈️ Flights

If you’re coming into Worthing from afar (via Gatwick or even Heathrow), you’ll want to book early:

• Skyscanner UK: Best for flexible dates and fare alerts.
• British Airways: For direct regional flights with decent customer support.

🛏️ Accommodation

• Booking.com: Filters for boutique, sea view, and historic hotels.
• Airbnb: Great for hidden cottages or rooms right in the Old Town.
• Secret Escapes: Flash deals on high-end UK stays.

🍽️ Restaurants & Tables

• OpenTable: Especially useful in Worthing for booking trendy brunch and dinner spots.
• SquareMeal: Restaurant guides and special offers.
• TheFork UK: Has discount bookings for mid-week dining.

🎫 Attractions & Events

• Art Tickets: Book free or paid museum entries like Worthing Museum.
• Eventbrite UK: Find workshops, ghost tours, yoga sessions, and seasonal events.
• GetYourGuide: Ideal for regional tours or last-minute day excursions from Brighton or London.

🛍️ Parting Tips & Hidden Treasures to Take Home

Don’t leave Worthing Old Town empty-handed. Here are the top souvenirs I’d recommend:

• Local honey from Beach House Honey Farm – it tastes like summer air and wildflowers.
• Worthing map print from Cuckoo’s Corner – hand-drawn and subtly coloured.
• Vintage books from Montague Exchange – I found a 1940s travel guide to Sussex that sits on my desk to this day.
• Fossils from Highdown Hill – not technically Old Town, but if you have time, hike up for one of the best free souvenirs nature can offer.

🌅 Why Worthing Old Town Stays With You

By the time the sun dipped low over the Channel and the shopfronts of Worthing Old Town began reflecting those golden pink hues, I was sitting on a quiet bench outside Cuckoo’s Corner with a takeaway flat white and a canvas tote full of postcards, honey, and an old book I didn’t know I needed.

There’s something about this part of Worthing that seeps into you slowly. It’s not flashy. It doesn’t scream for attention. But if you spend a day here—walking the cobbled backstreets, sipping coffee where locals gather, hearing the sea while browsing hand-stitched journals—you start to feel like you’ve unlocked a secret chapter of coastal England.

It’s not just a place for Instagram moments (though there are plenty). It’s a place to feel time. To rest your feet on uneven pavement. To talk to shopkeepers who love their town. To eat slowly. To breathe.

Whether you’re planning a solo retreat, a couple’s day out from London, or just a new stop along the Sussex coast, Worthing Old Town will welcome you—quietly, warmly, and memorably.

So go ahead. Pack light. Bring an open heart. And leave room in your suitcase—for the stories you’ll bring home.