Worthing

WORTHING has been increasingly popular with commuters over the last decade, absorbing house hunters displaced by high prices from the Surrey commuter belt, and Brighton and Hove. To be within walking distance of the station and shops you would need to live in one of the Thirties) terraces north of the town centre and obtain a resident’s parking permit so that you can park. Spacious Thirties’ three-bedroom semis sell for £200,000 to £225,000. B&Bs are concentrated in the centre, near the four large hotels, nightclubs, theatres and cinema. The shopping centre is surprisingly varied, with specialist shops. So don’t imagine a town full of little old ladies in fluffy hats: the largest segment of the population is the 16-44 age group, and the adult education centre is very well subscribed. Big businesses including GlaxoSmithKline have settled here, too.

Worthing is proud of the fact that it is the home of bowls and that the UK governing body Bowls England has recently chosen the town for its headquarters. It has also been selected to host the annual summer International Birdman Rally, featuring human flying machines jumping off the end of the pier, which has had to move from Bognor Regis because of fears over pier safety.

A seafront regeneration scheme over the next 15 to 20 years promises to put a twinkle in its eye with a new café/restaurant, renovations to the pier and lido, a skate park, playground, paddling pool and putting areas.