Visit or Contact Us

Our Churches

The three churches of Alciston, Berwick and Selmeston are normally open to the public every day of the year from 10 a.m. till dusk. They are all part of one Benefice served by one priest. Selmeston and Alciston were joined to form one parish in the nineteenth century.

Berwick

Berwick Church is a Grade 1 listed building. It is built on what may well be a pre-Christian sacred site from which there are magnificent views of the South Downs (which can be reached on foot from the church).
The church is most well known for the extensive 20th Century murals which cover the nave walls, chancel arch, screen and pulpit. These were painted during the Second World War by the Bloomsbury artists, Duncan Grant, Vanessa Bell and Quentin Bell.

Selmeston

Selmeston is a long one-street village just off the A27. The village and church were mentioned in the Domesday Book, although most of what now remains of the delightful church dates from a Victorian restoration in 1867. The church is built of flint in the typical Sussex style, with a red-tiled roof and a tall bell-turret with tiled walls and a shingled spire. It has some unusual brasses and the circular churchyard has the grave of Stanley Mockford who was the inventor of the ‘Mayday’ distress call.

Alciston

Alciston is a Domesday Village whose name derives from the Anglo-Saxon “Aelfsige’s Tun” (Aelfsige’s Place).
As well as several farms and a very good pub, the church, which is Grade 1 listed, is adjacent to a fine 14th century tithe barn and mediaeval dovecote.

Contact Information

Rector of Berwick and Vicar of Selmeston-cum-Alciston

Revd Peter Blee
The Parsonage, Berwick, BN26 6SR
Tel. 01323 870512
Send an E-mail
(Peter Blee’s day off is Saturday)

Churchwardens

Berwick:
Mrs Linda Hallums - Tel. 01323 896008 Send an E-mail
Dr Michael Walter - Tel. 01323 733441

Selmeston with Alciston:
Mr Roger Cooper - Tel. 01323 811553 Send an E-mail
Mr John Anderson - Tel. 01323 870075 Send an E-mail
Mrs Michele Boys - Tel. 01323 870623 Send an E-mail

Visiting Groups

Berwick Church welcomes visiting groups and offers a guided talk by prior arrangement.
Our Visitor Co-ordinator for Berwick church is Mrs Linda Hallums Tel. 01323 896008.
She can also give advice on coach parking and places to eat locally.

Website

The Web Master is Martin Chilvers. Please make any comments or suggestions about this site HERE

How to Find Us

The three churches in the benefice are normally open from 10.00 a.m. till dusk.
Please click on the links below for maps of the their locations.

...heartily recommend it...
...a classic of its kind...
John Eccles, Sussex Express

Bus and Rail Services to Berwick Church

A Rider Bus Service 125/38 operates Monday to Saturday along the A27 from Lewes to Alfriston stopping at Berwick Village crossroads turning about 0.34 miles from Berwick church.
Please click here for a Lewes area timetable. Berwick Station is a 1.32 mile walk from the church (the majority of which is on a dedicated public footpath and cycleway). The Cuckmere Valley Rambler Bus operates an hourly service from Berwick Station to Alfriston at weekends and on public holidays (except Good Friday); this calls at Berwick Village crossroads. The service is timed to connect with certain trains. A limited service operates on weekdays. See www.cuckmerebus.freeuk.com.