DITHERING-ON-SEA
An interesting place for new people
A short history...
Dithering-On-Sea is a delightful resort town on England's picturesque south coast.
Nestled between two rugged cliffs, Dithering-On-Sea boasts an extensive and sheltered crescent bay with a sand-coloured beach that is ideal for professionals and family members alike.
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The town, originally a medieval fishing village, started life at the old harbour and slowly evolved along the seafront and inland during the 1600's. With the discovery of a large deposit of sugar ore in the East Cliff around 1730, mining transformed the village as farmers, fishermen, shepherds and other types came from neighbouring villages to live and work in the area. The fortunes of the town improved again in the early 19th century with the expansion of the road networks and the coming of the metal railways.
Throughout the 1900's, as the local industries collapsed, Dithering-On-Sea survived as a charming holiday resort. It attracted people with ailments, the well-to-do and popular entertainers of the day including; Frank Plank, Elizabeth Soup and everyone's favourite idiot, Chip Tipples.
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The main income is now tourism and Dithering-On-Sea has become a fashionable and quaint seaside town with excellent people and a world-class sewage system.
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Holiday Information
LOCATION: Dithering-On-Sea is ideally situated on the south coast of England between Land's End and Midwinkle.
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ADMINISTRATIVE CENTRE: Dithering Town Council, Town Hall, High Street, Dithering-On-Sea.
Telex: Mrs Peabody (Dithering 343)
SeaFax: Page 90
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TWINNED WITH: Doom Town, Nevada (1954) and the South Sandwich Islands (1976).
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POPULATION: 3501. (70% of the population are over the legal limit.)
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CURRENCY: Pound Sterling. Before decimalisation in 1971, the currency was Imperial Brass and some coins are still in circulation. These can be exchanged at most laundromats and chestnut houses.
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ELECTRICITY: 240 Volts. (Alternating current is available Mon-Fri except Mothering Sundays.)
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WEATHER: 19°C Wind SW at 6mph (10km/hr) 61% humidity.
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TIDES: The sea at Dithering is affected by Moon behaviour between 12 noon and 2pm. Tide clocks are visible on the main promenade.
Travel Information
BY RAIL: There are regular services run by the Great Northern South East Western Railway Company from London and the Midlands to the nearest civilised town of Chippington. Change at Pottering for the National Omnibus Service that runs from Limp to Constant Hassle via Damp. Passengers for Dithering can then proceed by motorised coach, taxivan or local tractor service. Average journey time 6hrs. The direct commuter line to London Victoria is too small to use properly.
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BY MOTOR CAR: Dithering-On-Sea, as far as we know, is connected to the national road network by the A444444 (New Romantic Road) and the A3333 (Faffcaxton Road) northwards, and by the B6342 running west towards SW England and the B9732 running east along the coast towards Denmark. Caravan people are advised to use the A444444 and follow adequate signage.
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BY SEA: Passenger boats and steamers operate on water and run regular services from Chippington Port to Dithering Harbour during the height of the season. This is undoubtedly the most pleasant way to travel to Dithering, affording uninterrupted views of the cliffs and other seaside behaviour.
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BY HOVERCRAFT: Teeth Combine run one of the last operating hovercraft services in the UK from Chet to Dithering Harbour. Booking forms are available from Bunty Million's Cake Shop in the High Street.
BY JETSTREAM: Barry Airlines operate frequent flights to Dung Airfield from Heathrow and Singapore. Check timetable for accuracy and landing odds.
Tourist Accommodation
There is an abundance of high-quality hotels and guest houses in the town including: The George Hotel, The Rambler's Inn, Seaview Guest House, Fogg's Holiday Camp and Leeside Campsite.
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The Rambler's Inn.
Delightfully situated on the edge of a busy road, this 18th century wazzock house is a homely and comfortable hotel of character.
Hot and cold water taps
New razor points
En-suite Television
Non-ferrous fittings and spring mattresses
All staircases are cantilevered to a good standard and relevant.
Excellent cuisine
Colour Television Lounge
Slide projector available (booking advised)
Motorcycle parking available in most rooms
Table tennis (Weds) and Boxing (Thurs)
Brass furnace at rear.
Proprietors: Mr & Mrs TOM FECKING
Cut out this adverticle or call Dithering 654
Things to see and do
THE BEACH AND PROMENADE:
Visit the sand-coloured beach during the day and enjoy the calming views of the sea and the sparkling sunshine. Deckchairs are available to hire so why not have a right good sit down and stare into the distance for a few hours? Ready to stretch your legs? No problem. The Promenade is very near and features a range of happy tea shops run by comfortable people.
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Most of the buildings in Dithering haven't moved for ages and are often open to the public. Some are well worth looking into.
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Nice Art Gallery: A fine collection of non-threatening paintings and sculptures is housed in this popular town centre art gallery. One can easily spend a good seven hours wandering around the two exhibition spaces and the sculpture garden. As well as the permanent collection of art there is a new exhibition every couple of months! Click on the link for details. Note that the Gift Shop is open from 10am - 6.13pm every day except Wednesdays.
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Dithering Fine Art Gallery: Welcome to Dithering's latest art gallery. It features the best in contemporary art curated by Satellite Mayhew. The gallery is open every day except National Open Day.
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Oceanview Cinema: A warm, modern uniplex cinema with comfortable seating for over 32 people! Art Deco Seaside Moderne in style, it’s interior features up-to-the-minute electric light projection, suburban standard sound systems, marmalade fountain, continental sandwich bar and umbrella stands. The cinema, situated on Sea Walk next door to Culpepper's Wax Museum, shows a range of modern films and newsreels to suit all tastes. Tickets are reasonably priced and a small percentage of the weekly takings are donated to a local cat. Open Mon-Sun throughout the year and Sun-Mon during Summer.
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PUBLIC HOUSES: There are some delightful inns and pubs in Dithering town centre including the Scrag End Of Lamb (Wittle Street), Dragon's Inn (Faffcaxton Road), Angry Lobster (opposite the Town Hall) and near the harbour is The Gibbering Wreck.
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PARKS AND OPEN SPACES:
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Fark Park. Dedicated to Bernard Fark, inventor of the cardigan, this lovely park is where natural woodland beauty blends with colourful flower displays and is open to the public in all weathers. Fairly near to the Eye Hospital, the park features; Bowling Green, Dithering Model village, Children's playground and licensed bar, First Aid sofa, Hungarian Ping Pong, Victorian bandstand, Bad sculpture of a famous person, Boating lake and Meteorite garden. Visitors note that there is no car park at Fark park.
Annual festivals in the park include: WhingeFest, Pottering Village Fete and SconeFest. (The Festival of Loveliness has had to be cancelled this year, unfortunately, because of Roger's toe).
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Alexander Park. Set in beautiful grass-coloured grounds this modern-day park features a children's playground, hurricane shelter, floral display, Britain's oldest puddle, Classic Table Tennis and the ever-popular WWI Tank memorial and trench experience.
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Bridgend. Affording beautiful panoramic views of Dithering-On-Sea, the Sea, Dithering and Dithering-On-Sea Seaside, Bridgend is located to the east of the town overarching the River Noggin. Awkward and bothersome to get to, this picturesque viewpoint is often tourist-free and a great place to take that special sandwich.
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ALSO VISIT: Queen Edward's Pier, Old Biscuit Factory, Museum of Shouting, Ice Cream Factory, The Eye Hospital, Culpepper's Wax Museum, Joe's Tool Works, The Old Town, Broghouse High Security Open Prison and The Jigsaw Museum.
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SCENIC WALKS AROUND DITHERING. The beautiful seaside countryside is always best seen with your feet. So do pop into the office of the Department of Information (Tourism) or nearest chestnut house for free, printed walks. Signposts are also available to hire.
Shops, cafes and restaurants
The Seawalk is a retail, leisure and residential area near the seafront. It has become a real tourist attraction, characterised by narrow alleyways following the street pattern of the original fishing village. Here you will find the U-Boat Tearooms, Bunty Million's Cake Shop, Bernard's Tripe Cafe, Lovely Christine's Lovely Spa, Boothman's Confectioners, Dithering Souvenir and Gift Shop and many more retail experiences.
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Nightlife and Popular Music
Dithering-On-Sea has an active nightlife with plenty of popular music. If you are not too busy, check out the Lobster Disco, Calypso Ballroom, Bingo Dancing Parlour and Seaforth Chess Club's Annual Dinner & Dance. Popular music is also played in local hostels and venues such as Landfill and Keith's. Ali's Cocktail Cabaret Bar often has live music and is open until way past bedtime. Note that most discotheques in the town provide adequate entertainment for young people.