The north elevation
The village of Botolphs has fewer than 60 residents and is on the South Downs Way, but this large church gives away the fact that in earlier times this was a thriving port on the nearby River Adur.
Built in 950, St Botolph’s is a fine Saxon church
Around 1250, a north aisle was erected, three Gothic arcades were inserted in the north wall, and the tower added. However, as the river silted up and changed its course, the little town declined, and around 1450 the north aisle was demolished and the north wall closed up, although the three arcade arches are still clearly visible, both inside and out. Three bells dating from 1536 still ring out from the tower, hanging in their original wooden frame.