The Octagon Churches

The Octagon Parish is situated at the western end of Sussex between Chichester and Petersfield and within the South Downs National Park.

This rural community consists largely of farmland and is made up of the villages and hamlets of Compton, Forestside, Up Marden, West Marden, North Marden, East Marden, Racton, Stansted, Stoughton and Walderton.

The Octagon contains eight uniquely beautiful churches, many of them several hundred years old, seven of which are open all day to the public. 

We welcome walkers, including their dogs, cyclists and other visitors. 

We hold regular services of worship in all of them


St Mary, Compton

A beautiful downland church dating from the 12th Century

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St Mary, North Marden

A hidden little 12th century church with an usual semi-circular chancel

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St Peter, East Marden

A simple 13th century church, with a Millennium Tapestry

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St Michael, Up Marden

An exquisite Norman Church with a delightfully unrestored interior

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St Mary, Stoughton

A peaceful 11th century church, the largest in the parish. It has a 14-panel Millenium Tapestry

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Christ Church, Forestside

A Victorian church, with a modest and beautiful Jesse Window

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St Paul's Chapel, Stansted

This unusual 19th century chapel is located in the grounds of Stansted Park Estate

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St Peter, Racton

A tiny 12th Century church, full of history of the Civil War

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