Goring-by-Sea, commonly referred to simply as Goring, is a neighbourhood and former civil parish in Worthing in West Sussex, England. It lies west of West Worthing, about 2.5 miles (4.0 km) west of the Worthing town centre. Historically in Sussex, Goring became part of the borough of Worthing in 1929.

Etymology:

It is thought that the place-name Goring may mean either 'Gāra's people', or 'people of the wedge-shaped strip of land'. Usually known as "Goring", the "by-Sea" suffix has been added to differentiate it from the village of Goring-on-Thames in Oxfordshire.

History:

Around the 6th century Goring became part of the kingdom of Sussex. Like in other villages in the south of Sussex, the people of Goring had land to the north that they used as summer pasture in the Weald, at Goringlee, near Coolham. This route would have been used as a droveways for driving livestock, especially pigs.

The parish of Goring existed at the time of the Domesday survey in 1086, under the name Garinges. Unlike the other parishes in the area covered by the present Borough of Worthing, which have been in the Rape of Bramber since the 11th century, Goring forms part of the neighbouring Rape of Arundel. (Rapes are the six ancient subdivisions of the county of Sussex, each named after a castle and its associated town.). The former parish of Goring incorporated four manors. The most important of these passed from the Earls of Arundel to Roger de Montalt, 1st Baron Montalt and several other holders.

The former parish of Goring included Castle Goring, a country house built for Sir Bysshe Shelley, 1st Baronet in the late 1790s. Intermittent residential development began in the 19th century and continued throughout the 20th century. Although the railway came to Goring in 1846, there were so few passengers using Goring station that it was closed for a period. Goring's population expanded after 1929, when it became part of the borough of Worthing, and again in 1938 when the railway was electrified. Over a period of around 50 years, much of old Goring was demolished, although a few buildings survive.[9] Begun shortly before 1939, the Goring Hall estate was developed as a garden city, with concentric crescents near the seafront.

Geography:

Goring has a mixed pebble and sand beach which is popular for a wide variety of watersports including kitesurfing. The southwest of Goring contains part of the Goring Gap, a protected area of fields and woodland between Goring and Ferring. The former village of Goring lies in the south of the former parish. North-east of this is the Maybridge estate. North of Maybridge is West Durrington. To the north and west of West Durrington lies Castle Goring , Titnore Wood and the eastern slopes of Highdown Hill, including Highdown Gardens.

Landmarks:

St Mary's Church , the Anglican parish church, was originally built c. 1100AD as the Church of Our Blessed Ladye of Gorynge, and was rebuilt in 1837 by Decimus Burton for David Lyon of Goring Hall.

The Bull's Head on Goring Street has existed as a pub since at least 1770. This may be the same pub that was closed in the early 17th century by puritan-minded Justices of the Peace.

Courtlands was built in the 1820s and was extended around 1906−10 by Paul Schweder. Currently repurposed as a special needs school.

Built around 1889, Goring Hall is a replica of the original building which was built around 1840 for David Lyon, probably designed by Charles Barry, best known for his role in rebuilding the Palace of Westminster in London. Goring Hall is now used as a hospital, operated by BMI Healthcare. An 1840s avenue of holm oaks leads from Goring Hall to St Mary's Church.

The English Martyrs' Catholic Church , dedicated to the English-Catholic Martyrs, has the world's own hand-painted copy of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, painted by Gary Bevans between 1987 and 1993.

Education:

St Oscar Romero School on Goring Street is a mixed secondary school that was established in the 1950s. Goring Church of England and West Park schools provide primary education and Northbrook College's West Durrington campus, part of the Chichester College Group, provides both further and higher education.

Transport:

The A259 runs east-west through Goring, connecting it to the centre of Worthing and Brighton to the east, and Littlehampton and Bognor Regis to the west. The A2032 Littlehampton Road which also runs east-west passes north of Goring proper but within the former parish area. Goring is served by two railway stations: Goring-by-Sea railway station in the west, which opened in 1846, and Durrington-on-Sea railway station in the east, which opened in 1937. Both stations lie on the West Coastway Line and connect Goring to Worthing, Brighton, Littlehampton, London and Southampton.

Notable residents:

Main article: List of Worthing inhabitants:

• Gary Bevans, best-known for painting a replica of the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel on the ceiling of English Martyrs' Catholic Church, Goring-by-Sea
• George Brooke-Pechell, Royal Navy officer and Whig Member of Parliament for Brighton (1835-1860)
• Keith Emerson, keyboardist, songwriter, and film composer, grew up on the Maybridge estate in Goring.
• Francesca Hayward, ballet dancer
• Billy Idol, musician
• Richard Jefferies, nature writer
• David Lyon, West Indies merchant and Tory Member of Parliament for Bere Alston in Devon
• John Molson, Canadian-born Unionist Member of Parliament for Gainsborough in Lincolnshire
• Arthur Somerset Sr, cricketer for Sussex and London between 1891 and 1906
• Frederick Claude Stern, botanist and horticulturalist

The following four photo's have been sent into the Website by Paul H. They are of the Beach house next to the old sailing club.   

Paul's grandparents used to live here before and during the war. Hugh Naunton and his wife Wendy. He had two daughters Wendy and Denise. They also owned the Moorings and had a beach hut.

Additional Photos of Paul's grandparents shown. Hugh is sporting the striped jacket.

(Please send any photo's and History into the Web Manager)

Goring Ward Boundary  /  MP Wards
Adur & Worth Maps (interactive GIS mapping)

National Trust properties in West Sussex

English Heritage properties in West Sussex