Church Micro 5944...Whatlington Traditional Geocache

The cache is located opposite the path that leads up to this 11th to 13th centuary, grade II listed, church. There is parking for two to three cars in the neighbouring lay-by. This cache can be done as a quick cache and dash but I would recommend taking the short walk up the path to the church. Whlie the church is wheelchair accessible the actual cache is not. Please watch out for traffic while grabbing the cache.

St Mary Magdalene, Whatlington is where King Harold II allegedly heard mass on the eve of the Battle of Hastings. It is also alleged that the yew tree that stood in the church yard was used by William after the battle to hang Harold's personal guard. Sadly the tree was blown down in the storm of 1987. Dendrodating of it's timber confirmed that the tree pre-dated the conquest.

On St Swithin's Day 2010 the church was devasted by fire. As there is no local hydrant fire crews had to pump water up from the River Line. Much time and effort has gone into restoring the church which was formally reopened by the Bishop of Chichester in November 2013.

The journalist and author Malcolm Muggeridge (1903 - 1990) is buried here. His grave lies to the west of the church.

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