Curious Churches
We usually encounter churches standing where they have been for centuries at the heart of communities. But occasionally, the community has moved on and all that remains is the church, mysterious and isolated with plenty of stories to tell. Here are some that we have found and the charming walks around them.
Built in 1880, the old church at Bedham was built to serve both as a church and a school. Now redundant, the ruins are surrounded by woodland with plenty of footpaths and a field full of poppies in spring.
Perched on a hillside, St. Huberts is one of the prettiest, and loneliest, churches on our list. A walk here is enjoyable in all seasons with our favourite display of wild garlic in the spring and sunflowers and wildflowers in the summer.
Originally built for gypsy itinerants, charcoal burners and commoners to provide them with a place of worship, this little church in the woods, only accessible by foot, still serves its congregation on select days of the year.
Known as The Beacon on the Hill, St. Martha’s church commands views across the Surrey Hills. You can only reach it on foot, and once you have enjoyed the views, you can walk on to Chilworth Gunpowder Mills or the gorgeous village of Albury.
The little church is on of the only buildings that sill stands in the medieval village of Harltey Mauditt. The village declined after the demolition of the manor house and the only other clue that a village was once there is the pond across the road.
St. Wilfreds Chapel was once a full size church, but all that remains at this location is the chancel as the rest of the building was relocated to be at the centre of the village. The chapel is tucked away in a pretty church yard on the edge of the coastal nature reserve of Pagham Harbour.