The old village of Sidlesham, almost by-passed by the B2145 from Chichester to Selsey, is a perfect…read morepicture postcard: a clutch of old thatched cottages along small lanes, clustering around their mediaeval church. The church itself is picturesque enough, but merits a visit on the strength of its jumble of contrasting, almost clashing architectural styles, providing a fascinating challenge for the would-be architectural detective. Here are elements of Early English and Decorated Gothic, Tudor , Georgian and Victorian, its walls (inside and out) peppered with blocked-up windows, doors and arcades, old stone mixed with bricks and plastered walls. A look at the church plan provides a clue to this complexity: the earliest elements of the church are the transepts, built around 1200, with tall and narrow Early English single-lancet windows to the north and south. The aisled nave was added about 1220, again in a simple early gothic style. Research has shown that there was once a large chancel, probably built at the same time, with either aisles or chantry chapels. These were demolished in mediaeval times, leaving the outline of the arcades in the new walls. A 14th century window survives in the south aisle, but is empty of its tracery. In the 15th century the tower was added possibly using the stones form the demolished chancel and contains two bells, one dated 1390. The habit of rebuilding seems to have carried on unabated. The Tudors and Victorians both added large windows, the Tudors through the walls, the Victorians in the roof for a now-lost gallery. The 18th century brought a rustic brick porch, and a vestry off the north transept, now demolished. Yet the biggest change came in 1820, when for some reason the chancel arch was removed, bringing the nave and sanctuary together in a single, large (and architecturally, not entirely successful) space. Modern times have given the church a new East window, in a rather severe Perpendicular. The church also has some furnishings of interest: the font dates back to the original building, and adjacent is an ancient ecclesiastical tombstone on which can be seen a faint outline of a cross. Another rare survivor is a wooden memorial cross to Thomas Greenwood (d. 1658). This survived after having been used by some enterprising carpenter as a door lintel in a nearby cottage, before being rescued and thoughtfully being brought back into the church. On the south wall are the traces of a mediaeval mass sun-dial. But most puzzling is a marble memorial to Rebecka Taylor (d. 1631), which depicts her facing her husband, yet the space for his name is empty: did he desert the village after her death?

This large village church stands near the centre of the…read morepicturesque village of Shere, nestled in a valley close to the ridge of the North Downs. The nave and lower stages of the tower are Norman, built around 1150-90, to which a large south aisle was added in the 13th century. The church was lengthened in the early 14th century, from which period the chancel also dates. The fine north transept window of Curvilinear tracy is 15th century, and the churchyard lych gate is by Lutyens. The outside is dominated by the robust tower, which carries an equally robust broach spire. The south side has a fine Norman door, but the main entrance today is through the west entrance, which has a fine (and heavy) 17th century panelled door, and leads under an 18th century west gallery. Inside, the elegant arcade of octagonal piers separates the nave from the south aisle that is so large is feels like a double nave. The arches through to the chancel are early 14th century replacements, but there is a fine 13th century arch between the south aisle and south chapel with detached marble shafts. The fixtures and fittings are of particular interest. Several windows have fragments of mediaeval glass, and the font of Purbeck marble, with a central stem and four corner shafts, dating to around 1170. The church has some notable brasses: the oldest, dated 1417, is of the rector, Robert Scarlyff, wearing his vestments; on the floor is a large memorial to John Touchet, Lord Audley, (1423-1490). He lies resplendent in full plate armour. Close by is a brass to John Redford (d. 1516) and his wife, with his six children in mourning. On the wall of Lady Chapel is a small brass of a lady, dated 1520. However, of more curious interest is the squint and quatrefoil window on the north wall of the chancel, originally openings to the cell of an anchorite, Christine Carpenter. Anchorites were hermits, often devout teenage girls, walled up (until death) in cells attached to churches. They prayed and gave advice and in return were given food and provided with the sacraments. Christine was interred in 1329, but seems to have left and was ordered to return on 'pain of death' in 1332.

this is a very old church and quite picturesque. It is famous for having an anchorite during the…read more14th century, Christine Carpenter, about whom several movies have been made. The church has also been used in filming many movies so it may seem familiar right away.

Tortington church is located in a tiny hamlet, between Arundel and Ford. Erected to serve the lay…read moremembers of the now-ruined Tortington Priory half a mile away, this small 12th-century church is now in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. Reached by a short path from the nearby lane, it is a lovely peaceful spot. Built around 1140, the church is essentially unchanged since that period, although the south aisle fell into ruin and was only rebuilt in the 19th century. From the outside, the walls are attractively faced with flint, with a roof of red tiles, and a wooden bell-cote. This contains two bells, one mediaeval and one from 1873. But the most striking external feature is the south doorway, executed in Caen stone, a perfect example of Norman romanesque with its detailed zig-zag carving. Once inside, the simple interior is charming, with small single-light romanesque windows, although some are Victorian copies. Dominating the space is a Norman chancel arch, again in Caen stone. The decoration is unique, with a band of alternating animal heads, executed in a heavily stylised fashion, with leaves, feathers and goggle eyes. It is thought they betray a Scandinavian influence. Equally impressive is the Norman font, of the same date as the chancel arch, and decorated with a very fine relief of romanesque arches, alternating with honeysuckle and shell ornamentation. On my visit, it was filled with offerings for the harvest festival. The pulpit dates from the 17th century, and has a fine decorative panels. Once back outside, just by the church gate is a very ancient petrol-station pump, next to an equally aged-looking shed, covered in ivy. I have no idea how or why it got there - it can't have a been a very convenient spot to fill up!

This tiny, tucked-away little church can claim to be the oldest parish church in Winchester…read more The site probably had a church before the Norman Conquest, and was incorporated into William the Conqueror's palace as its chapel. After the palace and chapel were destroyed by fire, St Lawrence Church was rebuilt in about 1150. The church was badly damaged by fire in 1978 and after restoration re-opened again in 1980. The exterior is just a doorway and a turret, situated on a narrow part of the passage running from the Square to the High Street. A small porch leads into the church, which is a simple space lit with an East window of five lights. The furnishings are simple and unremarkable, but look up the wonderful 17th century Kingpost roof. On the north wall is a mediaeval doorway, discovered in the 1950s. The chapel is open during weekdays for private prayer as well as hosting regular Sunday services.

South Harting nestles on the north face of the South Downs, a sheltered, wooded spot, with a…read moretraditional village centre and two pubs. Its large church dominates the village, sitting high on a ridge at one end of the main street, with nave, chancel, transepts and a copper-clad broach spire. It is best known for its fine Elizabethan monuments and chancel roof, and the war memorial in the churchyard by Eric Gill. Mainly dating from the early 14th century, the church suffered a major fire in 1576, and the subsequent Elizabethan restoration provided a new chancel arch as well as new roofs. In 1610 a chapel was added by the Caryll family, but was subsequently abandoned and now lies in ruins. The interior is dark but spacious, and the Gothic arches of the nave, aisles and crossing could perhaps best be described as 'muscular'. The later Elizabethan chancel arch sits beneath the remains of the original pointed arch, with its dog-tooth decoration still visible. The Early English Gothic east end window is a Victorian replacement (and its below the original plain lancet) but the transept windows are an essay in Decorated Gothic. The chancel roof is worth a special look dating from the post 1576 rebuilding, it is both inventive and decorative in its own right, a complex mix of wall posts, tie beams, pendants, bosses and collar beams. In the north transept, there is a competing Victorian example of woodworking ingenuity, in the form of a magnificent wooden spiral tower staircase. The monuments are also largely Elizabethan. Three coloured effigies of the Cowper family, dating from around 1600, are located in the south transept. They comprise a kneeling effigy of a John Cowper of Ditcham, and recumbent effigies of his son John (d. 1586) and his wife, all resplendent in full Elizabethan costume. Next to them is the badly weathered effigy of Sir Richard Caryll (d. 1616), originally located in the chapel outside, but brought inside in 1956 after it became ruinous. In the chancel is a rather plain arched tomb recess, containing the 17th century memorials to the Ford family. Other fittings of note include the 13th century font and various hatchments. Outside, the remains of the Caryll Chapel can be seen between the South Transept and Chancel; its vault contains 11 members of the Caryll family who died of smallpox between 1601 and 1613. On the other side of the chancel is the fine, tall war memorial by Eric Gill, decorated with delicate relief carvings. More prosaically, as you leave the churchyard, take a look at the village stocks, recently restored!

This church is a beautiful building in Fratton, on the corner of St. Mary's Road and Fratton Road…read more The current building was consecrated on 10th October 1889 and was designed by Sir Arthur Bloomfield. It is part of the parish of St. Mary, Portsea which also includes the nearby churches St. Wilfrid's and St. Faith's. The 165 foot high tower is currently being renovated and the parish is raising the funds to complete this. I first attended St. Mary's Church in the summer and was amazed at the warm welcome I received and the friendliness of everyone. I have been included in lots of events including a barbecue, Harvest Supper (where the clergy did an hilarious version of songs from Mamma Mia!!) and the Autumn Fayre.

I am not a religious person, but I like St Marys church for 3 reasons…read more Every year it holds a fantastic May Day Fete with lots of stalls and attractions. I go every year, and have taken the opportunity to climb the tower and enjoy the wonderful views from the top. It's always an extremely well attended event no matter the weather, and is popular with all ages. The kids love the pony rides and I love all the bric a brac stalls. The second reason I like St Marys church is that it is a really nice building. I love driving by and seeing weddings going on, or seeing Brides and Grooms arriving by horse drawn cart (this is not such a rare occasion when we have beautiful sunny summers)! The third thing I enjoy is the fact that it provides a green open space in the Fratton area of Portsmouth (which is a real rarity these days) and there are benches so you can sit and enjoy a bit of a rest.

Chichester has a long pedigree. Once a Roman town of some significance, it survived the Dark Ages…read moreto become an important market town in Anglo-Saxon times, and was chosen by the Normans in 1075 as the site of a new Cathedral. Over the years, Chichester has kept its market town atmosphere, and makes a delightful place to visit: it still retains its Roman and later mediaeval street plan and part of its walls, but the centre also has some delightful parks and gardens. The Cathedral itself reflects its Normans origins: begun in 1076, and largely completed by 1108, it is a substantial romanesque building. Until the 19th century, this was a poor area, so the Bishops could not afford the grand rebuildings that took place elsewhere. Its scale, and decoration, are still modest, and largely Norman work. It even retains its external bell tower. Some additions were made in the late twelfth century, adding transitional and Early English gothic elements, and there are some furnishings and fittings of interest: two fine (and rare) 12th-century carvings of Christ arriving at Bethany and the raising of Lazarus; a large segment of Roman Mosaic flooring from a 4th-century public building; and some fine tombs, including that of Richard Fitzalan, (d. 1376) and his wife. There are also notable additions in more recent times: a stained glass window by Marc Chagall, a tapestry by John Piper, and a painting by Hans Freibusch. The Cathedral has a notable music festival and an even more famous flower festival, when its interior becomes a riot of floral design.

Fantastic. It is worth the trip out from London to visit this Cathedral. It is not very far from…read morethe train station. There are a number of pubs and places to eat walking from the train station. Definitely worth a day trip trip out here.

St Andrew's is an impressive neo-Gothic Victorian church just south of Worthing station…read more The church was built by the well-known Victorian church architect Sir Arthur Blomfield in 1887-88, executed in the Early English Gothic style, of flint with stone dressings throughout. The chancel has a noteworthy screen and carved wooden reredos, as well as an impressive set of stained glass windows by Kempe. The adjacent hall and original vicarage are co-located and form an impressively uniform architectural grouping. Services are in the Anglo-Catholic tradition.

Spent my boyhood as a choirboy here when Fr. Meade was Priest. I always felt it was a beautiful…read morebuilding although some might think it is quite sombre by todays' type of building.