Worthing Seafront
(Click on the image for a large view)
This drawing is quite a ‘classic’ view of Worthing seafront, showing The Dome Cinema, a grade II listed building. The Dome is an Edwardian building and one of the oldest working cinemas in England, and was opened in 1911. It was originally named The Kursaal — a German word translating as “cure hall”. The Kursaal was used as a health centre and entertainment complex by visitors to the seaside town. At the time it contained the Coronation Hall, which was used for roller skating, exhibitions, concerts and events, and the Electric Theatre, the first cinema run for paying audiences in West Sussex.
Following the outbreak of World War I leading residents of the town objected to the German name and after a competition with a prize of £1, the Cinema was renamed “The Dome”.
Worthing Beach is 10.5 miles between Ferring in the west and Lancing in the east.
The beach is made up of mainly shingle above high water and sand down to low water, with rock pools.
In 2018 Worthing Beach was recognised by Keep Britain Tidy as one of the best in the country after winning the coveted Seaside Award for the second year running. The quality of the water on Worthing Beach is ‘excellent’ according to the Marine Conservation Society who awarded the beach a coveted Good Beach Guide Certificate. Water quality tested by the Environment Agency has been assessed as ‘excellent.