At the third mile from Shoreham is Sompting, famous for its church and well known to Worthing visitors, who have a pleasant walk of about two and a half miles by shady road and field path through Broadwater.  The church stands in a group of elms on the slope to the north of the village.  The tower and part of the chancel are undoubtedly Saxon, the remainder of the church having been rebuilt in Norman and Early English times.  Notice the characteristic bands of stonework which run round the tower and the long capitals of the central ribs.  The gabled spire is almost unique in this country and will awaken memories of Alsace for those who know that land.  A similar spire may be seen in another Down country, at Sarratt in Hertfordshire, and a modern example at Southampton.  Between the north side of the tower and the nave are the remains of a chapel erected by the Peverells.  The interior of the church is equally uncommon and interesting, and the distressing newness which follows most restorations is not seen here, the work of the restorer, Mr. Carpenter, having been most careful and sympathetic.  The outline of the original windows may be traced in the chancel which is now lit by Perpendicular openings.  Over the altar is a tabernacle, not very well seen.  Notice the piscina with triangular arch, and a tomb, it is supposed, of Richard Bury, dating from the time of Henry VII; also the curious corbel face in the east aisle of the vaulted north transept.  The south transept is below the level of the nave; here are two mutilated pieces of sculpture, representing Our Lord with a book and a seated bishop with his crozier.  The font is placed in a recess which formerly held an altar.  The church became the property of the Knights Templar and a portion of the manor was held by the Abbey of Fecamp; the adjoining manor-house being still known as Sompting Abbotts; this house was for a short period the home of Queen Caroline.

[Illustration:  SOMPTING.]

Enjoyable rambles may be taken by any of the numerous by-roads which lead northwards into the heart of the Downs by Roman Ditch, Beggar’s Bush and Cissbury.  It is proposed, however, to leave a more particular description of this country to that portion of our longer route to Worthing via Washington, for which we must return to Shoreham, and now to take the road which runs by the Adur to Upper Beeding.  On the way will be noticed the little church at Coombe backed by the Downs; this has an unmistakable Saxon window in the nave, and a medieval crucifix discovered in 1877.  Higher up the river is the little old church of Botolph’s, which may be Saxon so far as the chancel arch is concerned, Both these churches are very old and quite untouched by the restorer.  At Upper Beeding the Priory of Sele once stood where is now the vicarage; the Early English church is of small interest and need not detain us.

[Illustration:  COOMBES.]