English Heritage sites near West Thorney Parish
KING JAMES'S AND LANDPORT GATES, PORTSMOUTH
8 miles from West Thorney Parish
Two ornamental gateways, once part of Portsmouth's defences. King James's Gate (of 1687) has been moved, but Landport Gate (1760), remains in it's original position.
ROYAL GARRISON CHURCH, PORTSMOUTH
8 miles from West Thorney Parish
Royal Garrison Church was built in about 1212 as part of a hospital complex. Although the nave was badly damaged in a 1941 firebomb raid on Portsmouth, the chancel remains roofed and furnished.
PORTCHESTER CASTLE
9 miles from West Thorney Parish
Looking for a fun family day out? Visit Portchester Castle in Hampshire, South East England. It provides the perfect setting for a relaxed, fun, historic day out!
SOUTHWICK PRIORY
9 miles from West Thorney Parish
Remains of a wealthy Augustinian priory, originally founded at Portchester: once a famous place of pilgrimage. Only part of the refectory wall survives.
BOXGROVE PRIORY
10 miles from West Thorney Parish
The guest house and other remains of a Benedictine priory: much of the fine 12th to 14th century monastic church survives as the parish church.
FORT BROCKHURST
10 miles from West Thorney Parish
One of a number of forts built in the 1850s and 1860s to protect Portsmouth and its harbour against a French invasion. Largely unaltered, the parade ground, gun ramps and moated keep can be viewed.
Churches in West Thorney Parish
St Nicholas, Thorney Island
Church Rd
West Thorney / Thorney Island
Southbourne / Emsworth / Chichester/ Portsmouth
(01243) 375576
http://www.stnicholastimeline.org.uk
Now part of Southbourne Benefice, St Nicholas was originally in the Parish of West Thorney to distinguish it from East Thorney in Selsey, now almost entirely lost in the sea. Before the Norman Conquest West Thorney was part of the Manor of Bosham, and is thus linked with St Wildred who came in 681 to found Bosham, one of the earliest centres of Christianity. Bishop Warlewast, a great church builder, was probably responsible for the erection of the church soon after 1100.
The church is dedicated to St Nicholas, the patron especially of sailors, and served a harbour community of farmers and seafarers. The congregation was boosted by the development of the island as an airfield in 1936 and, following their departure in 1976, almost closed down. But with stout support of present and past parishioners and since 1992, a succession of army chaplains, has enabled St Nicholas, on Thorney island, to continue to be a beacon of Christian Worship in Chichester Harbour.
(Restricted Access) Access by road is controlled by MOD security procedures.
No churches found in West Thorney Parish