Branching Out: From Photography to Storytelling
For a long time Sussex Photography has been about capturing the landscape in the right light — waiting for the perfect sunrise, or finding a composition that does justice to the Downs, the Weald, or the coast. But I’ve realised there’s another layer to the places I visit. Beyond the natural beauty there are stories: human history, folklore, and heritage that make these places what they are.
So this marks the start of something new. Alongside photography and videography, I’ll be exploring the stories behind the landscape — not just the natural history of ancient trees and valleys, but also the human history of churches, castles, follies, and forgotten corners of Sussex. Videography allows me to weave these elements together: a reel can capture both the visual and the story.
And there’s no better place to begin than with one of the oldest living things in Sussex — the ancient yew tree at Rotherfield.
The Living Witness of Rotherfield
In the churchyard of St Denys at Rotherfield stands a yew tree believed to be at least 1,500 years old. Already ancient when the first wooden church was raised here in AD 792, the yew has lived through Saxon stonework around 1060 and Norman additions after 1066.
Hollow but Alive
The tree today is a striking sight — its heart long gone, leaving only a hollow shell. Yet the bark still lives, sending up branches skyward. Supported by props and chains, it remains a miracle of survival.
Sacred Roots
Like many churchyard yews, this one may have marked a pagan gathering site, later absorbed into Christian tradition. Yews became symbols of eternity, death, and rebirth — evergreen trees that could outlast dynasties, empires, and whole ways of life.
Why This Matters
The Rotherfield yew is more than a tree. It is a living archive of Sussex history — connecting natural history and human history, faith and folklore, past and present.
Watch the Story
You can also watch my short film about the Rotherfield yew here:
Plan Your Visit
You can find St Denys Church and its ancient yew tree on Google Maps. I’ve also added it to my Sussex Photo map of ancient trees here.
Closing Reflection
This is the first in a new series where I’ll be exploring not only the landscapes of Sussex, but also the stories that lie behind them. Ancient trees, forgotten churches, hidden follies — all the things that shape our connection to this place.