St Botolph’s Church, Hardham

This tiny, whitewashed church, tucked away off the main road, a few miles out of Pulborough on the A29 towards Arundle, is one of Sussex’s oldest.
Dating from the 11^th Century (claimed to be 1050 AD), this Saxon foundation contains Roman tiles in its walls, presumably re-​used form the earlier Roman settlement sited in the area. The windows are, for the most part, of the Saxon or early Norman style, very narrow and with rounded heads.
But the real reason for a visit is that Hardham contains what may be England’s earliest mediaeval frescoes, and certainly one of the most complete decorative schemes to survive. Dating from shortly after 1100 AD, they are in amazing condition for their age, with vivid colours. They cover every wall.
The subjects include an oddly anatomical Adam and Eve, the Annunciation, scenes from the life of Christ, and St George (in classic 11^th century armour, riding a fine white charger) killing the Dragon.
Hardham has a regular church service at 11h on Sundays — see web-​site for details, as well as some more photographs.
NB: On leaving Pulborough, slow down and prepare to turn left as soon as you pass the sign telling you that you are entering Hardham: the turn is not signposted in advance, and appears like a track, although you can see some half-​timbered houses in the distance. The church is half-​way along, and is usually kept open.