Worthing Pier

The pier was almost deserted at this time of the cool winter morning. Tide was high, and the sound of the pebbles tumbling over each other as the waves receded was almost loud enough to drown the sound of the seagulls.

According to the Heritage Trail

Opening some 10 months later on 12th April 1862 Worthing Pier consisted simply of a 960ft (291m) long by 15ft (4.6m) wide promenade deck, with a landing stage at the seaward end. Although very popular from the start, both with locals and visitors, entertainment wasn't considered until 1874 when a 9-piece orchestra was engaged to play for three hours a day 'weather permitting'. Some years later, in 1881, a German band from the Rhine was contracted to play daily and conditions were improved for the audience and band alike with the construction of two shelters.