Situated between Worthing and Ferring, Goring-by-Sea is a small settlement of approximately 8,000 people. Lying between the sea and the South Down’s National Park, it boasts 2 miles of pristine pebble and sand beach. The surrounding area has a rich history, some fascinating buildings and some interesting facts you might be surprised to learn about. At Aspire Residential, we are proud to call Goring-by-Sea our home.
- The parish of Goring is reflected in the Domesday survey in 1086, under the name Garinges (after the Gara people). The name Goring is said to mean 'people of the wedge-shaped land' and the first community was established in Anglo Saxon times.
- It became Goring by Sea in 1908 so as not to confuse it with Goring on Thames in Oxfordshire.
- Goring by Sea lies just a few miles from Bognor Regis, which with 1902 hours of sunshine per year, is officially the sunniest place in the United Kingdom.
- Highdown Hill which is situated just to the north of Goring, is owned by the National Trust and sits within the South Downs National Park. Settlement of the hill dates back to the Bronze Age. Through history it has been an Iron age fort, a Roman bath house and a Saxon cemetery.
- Ilex Way is one of the best known avenues of Holm Oaks in Great Britain. These evergreen broadleaf trees are usually found in the Mediterranean. They were planted in the 19th century by David Lyon, who bought Goring Hall estate in 1834. The avenue formed the centrepiece of the Goring Hall estate and once had large and ornate wrought-iron gates at either end.
- The English Martyrs Catholic church has a replica of the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling in Rome. It was painted by local artist Gary Bevans and finished in 1993 having taken five and a half years to complete. Bevans began the work when he was 33, the same age Michelangelo was when he started painting the Sistine Chapel.
- Nearby Castle Goring is a grade 1 listed building. Not actually being a castle as such, it was the first house ever built with a dual façade, Greco-Roman on the South side and Castellated Gothic on the North.
- Rock star Billy idol spent his youth here. Originally named William Broad, rumour has it that he was so inspired by being called “idle” by a teacher that he adopted the stage name Billy Idol
- Peter Townshend of The Who recorded the beach sound for his album Quadrophenia on Goring beach.
- Locals believe the Lord Goring character in Oscar Wilde's play ‘An Ideal Husband’ was inspired by the name of the village.
Want to know more?
If you're considering a move to Goring-by-Sea, then our local area guide is a great source of information about house prices, schools, transportation and things to do in the area.
