English Martyrs & Carpet of Flowers at Arundel Cathedral

From the outside, the Church of the English Martyrs looks like an ordinary church in an ordinary street and yet it has the most incredible and only known reproduction of Michelangelo’s  Sistine Chapel Ceiling.

Following a visit to Rome, sign painter and local parishioner, Gary Bevans was inspired to paint a copy of the Sistine Chapel. Starting work in early 1987 the ceiling was hand painted over five and a half years.  This magnificent masterpiece was completed in 1993 and is a remarkable and breathtaking reproduction 2/3 the size of the original, painted to scale. 

After our visit to the Church of English Martyrs we make a stop in Goring on Sea for some free time and perhaps to enjoy some lunch, before making the short journey to Arundel Cathedral.

For over 140 years Arundel Cathedral has celebrated the feast of Corpus Christi with a magnificent festival of flowers, featuring a world-famous Carpet of Flowers in the central aisle of the Cathedral along with a variety of other floral displays.  Stewards will be available to answer questions about the history of the Cathedral and the feast of Corpus Christi and there will be a selection of hot and cold food and drinks to purchase at the Cathedral centre.