Worthing Museum and Art Gallery

Worthing Museum and Art Gallery is one of West Sussex’s most surprising cultural treasures, known for holding one of the largest costume collections in the UK. Founded in 1908, the museum blends social history, archaeology and fine art, offering a rich portrait of the town’s seaside heritage and creative identity. Its galleries feel both intimate and expansive, with displays that shift between Victorian fashion, local archaeology and contemporary artistic expression. Inside, visitors can explore the Costume Gallery, a standout space featuring garments from the 17th century to modern couture. Delicate lace, Regency dresses and bold 1960s designs reveal changing tastes and technologies. The museum’s archaeology collection includes Roman pottery, Saxon tools and artefacts from nearby excavations, while the Social History Gallery traces Worthing’s transformation from rural settlement to elegant resort. One of the most interesting facts is that the museum houses over 30,000 objects, including rare pieces of Sussex folk art and one of the country’s earliest municipal art collections. The art galleries showcase works by local and national artists, often highlighting coastal landscapes and modern craft.