WITH five-miles of award winning coastline, a thriving shopping centre, theatres, leisure centres and sports facilities Worthing is a great place for a family to live.

Once famous as the town with the largest proportion of residents aged over 65, Worthing has shaken off its old image and has a much more even mix of ages with an exciting and vibrant atmosphere where even the pensioners seem young.

Worthing was a small fishing village until the late 18th century when the fashion for sea bathing made it a popular resort, which attracted the rich and famous.

The town has five miles of shingle beach, but when the tide is low acres of sand are exposed making it a perfect place for youngsters to run around.

One of the town’s most sought after areas, Charmandean, was developed in the 1920s on the parkland of Charmandean House, an early 19th century, Georgian style house built by local farmer John Penfold. Over the years the house was expanded and although it changed hands several times it remained one of the town’s most elegant homes before becoming a girls’ school in 1929.

The first roads to be developed on the former grounds of the house were First, Second, Third and Fourth Avenues and luxury architect-designed three and four bedroom properties sold for less than £1,500.

The Charmandean Centre was used as a drill hall for the Territorial Army until it was bought in the early 1970s on behalf of the Masons of Worthing. It has since been used the headquarters of several local Masonic lodges. Following a recent refurbishment and a name change to The Charmandean it has become a conference and exhibition centre, and is a popular wedding venue.

On the seafront Worthing pier was first opened in 1868. It is Grade II-listed and is now the home of the annual International Birdman Competition, pictured inset. This spectacular event attracts competitors from round the world and offers a prize of £10,000 for the furthest flight over 100 metres.

Worthing is a great place to watch or play bowls and Beach House Park has been hosting the English Bowling Association National Championships for more than 25 years and it hosted the World Bowls in 1972 and 1992. The town is dotted with parks, gardens and sports fields so you never have to go far to find a bit of peace and quiet or exciting sports action.

One of the least known gardens in the area is Highdown Garden, situated just off the A259 between Ferring and Goring.

These are the work of Sir Frederick and Lady Stern spent 50 years developing the garden, which has a unique collection of rare plants and trees.

The pier with its pavilion theatre and the neighbouring lido are notable seafront landmarks.

The original pier was opened in 1862. A few mishaps befell it over the years, including fire and storm, and in 1935 it was remodelled into its present form, although a section of it was blown up in 1940 as a precaution against an enemy landing.

The Pavilion Theatre was built in 1926 and the Lido in 1928.

The Grade II-listed archbishop’s palace at Tarring is the oldest building in the borough.