The geometrical pattern is of landscape lines, triangulation, equi-distancing and central focusing. The pattern overlays the sites or buildings of a total of 28 Churches. 24 are components of the overall layout. Most of them are Norman or earlier. There is so far no received explanation.

THE LOCATION ~ Upper Beeding, near Steyning & Shoreham by Sea.

The ancient site is just ten metres above sea level on the east bank of the River Adur between spurs in the South Downs. With panoramic views, it lies just north west of Bramber Castle Ruin. Once used as a Benedictine Priory, today the location is occupied by the Parish Church of St Peter, its Churchyard and an adjacent residential building, its former Vicarage. It seems likely that the spot has been used for sacred purposes since earliest times.

[The layout and its accuracy are easily established by overlaying the 1: 50000 Ordnance Survey Landranger Map 198]

THE MYSTERY ~ The enigma springs from the original choice of this unique site, known for centuries as Sele.

In earlier times sea and river levels would almost certainly have been higher resulting in a much larger flood plain. Sele would have been a small but attractive island and other options for building in the area would have been vastly reduced.

Nothing too puzzling about that, perhaps! However, it is the subsequent focus upon this tiny site by later developments, mainly the relationship it has with neighbouring ancient churches and perhaps its two high horizons, which creates the riddle or riddles because there are a number.