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St Mary’s Church Stoughton
This is the largest church in the Octagon Parish, made up of eight small downland churches all noted for their spiritual peace and tranquillity. Services are held at St Mary’s regularly and the church can be booked for weddings, christenings and funerals.
St Mary’s, Stoughton is Saxon in origin and is believed to be a complete 11th century church, probably built sometime in the fifty years before the Norman Conquest in 1066.
During the course of almost 1,000 years of history the only major changes appear to have been alterations to its doors and windows in the 12th and 13th century. There were also repairs carried out in the 16th and early 17th centuries, and some restoration work undertaken in 1846, but the church you see today has changed little from the original building.
The church is built to a cruciform layout with nave, chancel, north and south transepts. There is a fine chancel arch which dominates the nave. It is typical of 11th century church architecture and is similar to the Saxon church in Bosham.
There are six ringing bells in the church tower and the oldest bell was cast in 1390. In 1989 the three oldest bells were restored and a further two bells restored in 1997, with work finishing on the bells, frame and tower in 2007. One of the bell frames from the church is now at the Weald and Downland Open Museum.
On the outside of the church herringbone flintwork can be seen on the east and west walls of the nave and on the outside of the south transept. It is thought this work might date from between 900 and 1250 AD.
Also able to be seen on the west wall are the ‘put-holes’ used by early builders to secure their wooden scaffolding as they constructed the church.
The Friends of St Mary charity was set up in 1978 to provide funds for the maintenance of the church. In 1994, a restored 19th century Henry Willis II manual organ was installed. It can be heard regularly during services, organ recitals and choir and carol concerts.
Did you know?
There is good reason to believe St Mary’s Stoughton church is mentioned in the Domesday Book. The Manor of Stoughton was once held by Earl Godwin, father of King Harold II of England, before his defeat at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
You can see the history of Stoughton and the church depicted in two Millennium tapestries which illustrate 2,000 years of local life. The tapestry on the north wall of the nave (opposite the porch) illustrates the first millennium, invasions and settlements and finally the appearance of the present church. The tapestry on the south wall illustrates the second millennium of the church, reformation, farming and war.
- St Mary’s Stoughton – Parish Giving Scheme
- W3W: level.woven.forgiving
- Postcode: PO18 9JJ
- See the 16 page Octagon Walks Booklet – click here
Hare and Hounds Pub
A focal point of the village since the 19th century, The Hare and Hounds is a Grade 2 listed and privately owned free house.
The pub is featured in many guides, retaining a traditional feel in unspoilt surroundings, as well as being a great start and finish point for many of the local walks.
Did you know?
Every year on New Year’s Day, the game of Nurdeling has taken place in Stoughton, beginning and ending at the Hare & Hounds. This game is believed to date back to the 1500s when rival villages would compete in tournaments. The rules are to nudge, or nurdle, an elliptical sphere along a set route with a stick or nurdler. The winner is whoever makes the fewest nurdle moves gaining maximum distance with each nurdle throw. To join in all you need is a wooden spoon, a bin lid and a sense of humour!
- Hare and Hounds, Stoughton, West Sussex PO18 9JQ
- CAMRA pub listing – click here
- Phone: 02392 631433
- Get the Bourne Bus here – click here
Pitlands Farm
Pitlands Farm is still a working farm. A Roman villa was excavated here in 1967. A bath house was discovered complete with a hypocaust (a type of Roman under-floor heating), and is thought to date from the early 2nd century.
In 1990, during a very dry spell, dry ground parch marks were discovered in a field next to the farmhouse indicating further remains. This site was excavated in 1991. This is a view of the walk up to Pitlands Farm.
The villa was built in the same era as Fishbourne Roman Palace and Bignor Roman Villa, both near Chichester. The site has been grassed over to preserve the remains, although a small piece of tessellated floor has been left uncovered. As well as the roman artefacts, traces of medieval occupation have also been found here, including pottery sherds from the 10th to 14th centuries.
Did you know?
Some of the Roman finds that were discovered are displayed in Pitlands Barns and the site is now a scheduled monument.
You can stay at Pitlands Barns in one of the three beautifully appointed 5 star luxury self-catering holiday units.
- Find out about staying at Pitlands Barns at their website
Inholmes Wood
Inholmes Wood is on the Ancient Woodland Inventory and consists largely of hazel and oak.
There are 6 Scheduled Monuments in Stoughton Forest and the yew areas in Walderton and Stoughton have been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest ( SSSI). Stoughton also neighbours the Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve.
Did you know?
Pheasants are kept in Wildham and Inholmes woods, so please keep any dogs on their leads.