Discover Merston

Merston can be explored through two specific historical themes: St Giles’ Church and the former Portsmouth and Arundel Canal. The Sussex Hospices Trail passes by the church on its Merston section and meets the old canal route. Church architecture and the traces of a historic canal therefore sit side by side. You can shape your travel interests around these highlights: would you like to learn about a medieval church building, or are you more interested in a walking trail that follows the former canal route?

St Giles’ Church and its architectural form

St Giles’ Church is a small medieval church dating from the 13th century and is listed as a Grade I building. Its architectural form includes a chancel and an undivided nave, a north aisle, and a south porch. There is a bellcote at the western end of the nave. The church is defined by more than its age: its individual features and their locations also give a tangible impression of its architecture. The directional details are particularly useful for finding your way around: the aisle to the north, the porch to the south, and the bellcote at the western end of the nave. This makes it possible to distinguish the different features by their location.

Walking between the church and the canal

The Sussex Hospices Trail passes by St Giles’ Church on its Merston section. Near Merston, the path reaches a signposted junction of public footpaths before meeting the route of the old canal. It then passes the brick remains of a canal bridge. The sequence around the canal is clearly defined: first the footpath junction, then the transition to the former canal route, and finally the bridge remains. Together with the church, these provide several distinct points of reference along the Merston section.

If you include this section in your travel plans, the signposted junction and the canal route can serve as landmarks. Path surfaces, access and waymarking may change. Check current path conditions and signage before your walk.

Canal history and the former canal bed

The Portsmouth and Arundel Canal was built between 1818 and 1823. Near Merston, the walking trail follows its former route. The brick remains of the canal bridge provide another built feature connected with this history. Along the way, you can therefore encounter both the canal’s history, which can be dated, and parts of its former built environment. The former canal bed near Merston is covered with grass and wildflowers; the vegetation may vary with the seasons. The former route and the description of today’s landscape complement one another, while the canal’s history is not limited to the bridge remains alone.

Planning a trip to Merston

The two highlights offer different perspectives: St Giles’ Church represents the architecture of a medieval church, while the trail incorporates the former canal route into its course. If you are especially interested in architecture, the church offers specific features and a clear date as points of interest. If you are interested in canal history and landscape, the focus is on the course of the old canal, the bridge remains and the overgrown former canal bed. This can help you decide whether Merston’s historical connections suit your travel interests better.

Discover more destinations: Horsham, Stedham, Arundel, Haywards Heath, Boxgrove, Petworth, Ansty, Thakeham

For the wider travel overview: West Sussex.