SussexUPMARDENStMichael(michaelgarlickCC-BY-SA2.0)1 MichaelGarlick

St Michael

Approached by a narrow lane above a steep slope and surrounded by trees, Up Marden is perhaps the hardest to find of the downland churches.

Up Marden, Sussex

Opening times

Open everyday.

Address

Up Marden
Sussex
PO18 9JR

Up Marden was once a bustling village of several hundred folk. It’s one of several villages in Sussex which are less important than they were in the Middle Ages.

One positive effect of this decline is that the amazing church on the outskirts of the village has hardly been touched for the best part of a thousand years.

St Michael's is an exceptional place for the sense of simple yet irresistible piety that permeates the place. In an excerpt from an article for the Spectator which is printed in the church Simon Jenkins gets it just right when he says ‘These places disturb us unbelievers...this power does not respect belief or unbelief’.

You could miss the church of you weren't looking for it. It’s hidden away down a flinty farm track, with no car park, no gateway to the church yard and just a few ancient tracks between the trees to guide you in.

  • Wildlife haven

  • Spectacular stained glass

  • Social heritage stories

  • National heritage here

  • Magnificent memorials

  • Glorious furnishings

  • Fascinating churchyard

  • Famous connections

  • Enchanting atmosphere

  • Captivating architecture

  • Walkers & cyclists welcome

  • Space to secure your bike

  • Parking within 250m

  • On street parking at church

  • Level access to the main areas

  • Dog friendly

  • Accessible toilets nearby

  • Church of England

Contact information

Other nearby churches

St Peter

East Marden, Sussex

A small and ancient downland church which is very much in the centre of the isolated and rural village of East Marden in the South Downs National Park.

St Mary

Compton, Sussex

A beautiful downland church dating from the 12th century, very much at the heart of the small and active rural village of Compton in the South Downs National Park.

St Mary

Stoughton, Sussex

A little changed 11th century church building located in the beautiful downland village of Stoughton near Kingley Vale.