St Botolph's Church, Hardham

St Botolph's Church in Hardham is a church building with a nave and chancel, featuring whitewashed exterior walls built from local sandstone and flint. The structure displays typical Norman characteristics with its sturdy stone construction from regional materials.

The building was constructed in the 11th century and incorporated stones from Roman structures in its construction near the ancient Stane Street. This reuse of Roman materials was common practice when building churches in this area during the medieval period.

The walls display painted subjects from the 12th century, including the earliest known image of St George in England shown here. These religious scenes remain visible to visitors walking through the church today.

The building is accessible to visitors who wish to view the interior furnishings and notable wall paintings. It is recommended to check opening times in advance, as regular services and special occasions may affect access.

The building holds the oldest surviving series of wall paintings in England, created using true fresco technique applied to wet plaster. These early artistic methods show how painters in the medieval period developed their craft.

Location: Coldwaltham

Inception: 11 century

Architectural style: Anglo-Saxon architecture

Website: http://arunchurches.com

GPS coordinates: 50.94860,-0.52275

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:44