St Mary Magdalene's Church, Tortington

St Mary Magdalene's Church is a Norman-style church building located in Tortington near Arundel. The stone exterior features a wooden door framed by three rows of Norman carvings and decorative metalwork, while the interior contains a 12th-century font decorated with intricate arcading and cable moulding along its rim.

Construction of the church began in 1101 with Norman architectural elements that remain visible throughout the building today. The design has survived more than 9 centuries, preserving the character that medieval builders established when they first created this structure.

The chancel arch features carved figures called beakheads with large eyes and tentacle-like features, showing how medieval craftspeople expressed religious ideas through strange creatures. These unusual forms appear throughout the interior and reveal what people imagined about the spiritual world.

Visitors reach the church by walking through a grassy path that becomes slippery during wet weather, so sturdy shoes are helpful. It is best to move carefully along this route, especially after rain or when conditions are damp.

The font inside the church dates from the 12th century and displays detailed arcading patterns with cable moulding running along its rim. This stonework shows the skill of medieval craftspeople and how much care they put into each piece they created.