Introduction

The church’s elevated position reflects an older landscape. In medieval times churches were often built on high ground overlooking settlements and farmland, both for visibility and for the practical benefit of dry ground above the valley below.

Standing quietly on the ridge above Ore in Hastings are the remains of Old St Helen’s Church, one of the oldest church sites in the town. Today the roofless walls and sturdy tower sit among weathered gravestones and grass, but for centuries this was the parish church serving the surrounding rural community.

Here is a short video from the visit.

You can see the location of Old St Helen’s Church on Google Maps here.
You can also explore this and many other places on my All Map Locations page.

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History

The origins of Old St Helen’s Church date back to the Norman period, with parts of the building believed to originate from the 11th century. The square tower that still stands today likely dates from the 12th century, built using local flint and stone typical of Sussex churches.

During the medieval period the church served the parish of Ore, which at the time was a small rural settlement above the Hastings valley.

Over time the population of Ore expanded and gradually shifted further down the slope towards the growing town. By the 19th century the old ridge-top church had become both too small and less convenient for the larger population.

In 1869 a new St Helen’s Church was built further down the hill, closer to the main residential area. Once the new church opened, the original building fell out of regular use and parts of the structure were dismantled.

The tower and fragments of the walls were left standing, creating the atmospheric ruin that survives today. The surrounding churchyard remained in use for burials, with gravestones dating from the 17th through to the 19th century.

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Photography

Old St Helen’s Church is a great subject for photography, particularly because of the contrast between the solid Norman tower, the weathered flint walls, and the surrounding gravestones.

The open ruins allow plenty of angles for framing the tower through broken arches and walls, while the slightly elevated position gives a sense of the historic landscape the church once overlooked.

Early morning or late afternoon light works particularly well here, bringing out the texture in the stone and flintwork. Even on overcast days the site has a strong atmospheric quality that suits black-and-white or moody landscape photography.

A wide angle lens and polariser are essential gear to carry here.

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Practical Info

Speckled Wood Valley – A surprisingly wild wooded valley running through Ore with streams and footpaths.

Location: Ore, Hastings, East Sussex
Access: Public footpaths lead directly to the church ruins
Best Time to Visit: Morning or late afternoon light
Nearby:
St Helen’s Well (St Helen’s Wood) – A hidden spring and stone-lined pool in the woodland valley below the ridge.

St Mary’s Church Ruins, Bulverhythe – The remains of a medieval church lost to coastal erosion, once serving the former village of Bulverhythe west of Hastings.
Hastings Old Town – Historic fishing quarter with narrow streets and traditional net shops.
East Hill – One of the best viewpoints over Hastings and the English Channel.

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Although only fragments of the original building survive, Old St Helen’s Church remains an evocative reminder of Hastings’ medieval past. Standing quietly on the ridge above Ore, the ruins reflect a time when the surrounding landscape was rural and the church served a scattered hillside community. Today it’s a peaceful spot to explore, offering a tangible link to centuries of local history as well as a rewarding location for photography and a short walk away from the bustle of the town below.