Botolphs

Coordinates: 50°52′16″N 0°18′22″W / 50.871°N 0.306°W / 50.871; -0.306

Botolphs, formerly called Annington, is a tiny village in the Horsham District of West Sussex, England. It is in the Adur Valley 1.5 miles (2.4 km) southeast of Steyning on the road between Steyning and Coombes. Botolphs lies on the South Downs Way long distance footpath.

Parish church

The ancient parish church of St Botolph's is dated from 950 and large parts of the Saxon building remain, particularly in the chancel arch, and in the south wall of the nave. The tower was added in the mid-13th century, as was the chancel, replacing a Saxon apse.

The church was dedicated to Saint Peter in the earliest Norman records, and the community was then called Annington. It seems likely that an original dedication to Saint Botolph was considered obscure by the Norman invaders, and the church was therefore rededicated. This was a common practice. However, the original dedication lived on in community memory, and eventually prevailed. By the 13th century almost all references are to "St Botolph's Church" and the 14th century saw the last known recorded reference to "St Peter's Church". By a process of association the village acquired the name of Botolphs. The name Annington also survives, as a hamlet between Botolphs and Bramber.