Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Warminghurst

Warminghurst is one of those churches which has lost its village. At the end of a small lane from the village of Ashington, just off the busy A24 Worthing-London dual-carriageway, it is a quiet, rural and isolated spot.

The church itself is no longer in regular use, but in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. A simple, single cell, built in the 13th century, it is notable for its perfectly preserved 18th-century fittings. These include a fine, three-arched chancel screen from the period of Queen Anne, topped by a dramatic painting of her Coat of Arms. Wonderful box-pews, a pulpit and lectern, all in unstained pine, fill the nave.

Other items include an unusual Tudor funeral monument, part brass, part stone carving, to the left of the altar, and a wonderful ancient wooden roof. The whole interior is charming, and an unlikely survivor. Outside, lovely views of the South Downs can be had from the churchyard.

Church Park Lane, Warminghurst, Ashington, West Sussex RH20 3AP Website