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North from the A27 at the Sussex Pad traffic lights is the A283 "Coombes Road", which leads to Steyning. Along this road is Church Farm, a working farm, that has become popular for its tours, especially during the lambing season.
Covering 1,000 acres, the farm rises up from the flood plain of the river Adur. This land is used for growing wheat. There are 1,000 ewes on the farm, which produce around 1,500 lambs in March, and 100 Friesian/Hereford cross cows for milk and beef, which produce 120 calves.
Other crops grown on the farm include Barley, Cabbage Rape and Oil-seed Rape. Sunflowers are grown for the benefit of the wild birds. The farm is in an "Environmentally Sensitive Area", which restricts the use of fertilisers and sprays.
Also in the grounds of the farm is the 900 year old Saxon church. Built in the 11th century, with subsequent alterations in the 13th and 14 centuries when the Nave appears to have been widened or rebuilt. The latest addition is the South Porch, which was added in the 16th century. Wall murals were discovered in 1949, and date from 1130-1753.
There is a public footpath which passes the south side of the church, and then up onto the downs. From here, there are some exceptional views across and along the Adur valley.
For further information about the farm, please visit www.coombes.co.uk.
Please click on the thumbnails below for larger images.
The Farmhouse
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The Adur Valley
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East wall of the church
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Northeast aspect
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Southwest aspect
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Nave looking East
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Murals on the North wall
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Closeup of part of mural
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Closeup of part of mural
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Closeup of part of mural
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The pulpit
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West wall of chancel
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The 16th century porch
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View of the North wall
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