Bloomsbury murals at Berwick Church, East Sussex

Walking through the village of Berwick in the South Downs you might pass through the churchyard and not even consider looking inside the small church. This would undoubtedly be a mistake because hidden inside this unassuming building is a real feast for the eyes. The walls are adorned with colourful murals painted by artists in the Bloomsbury group. Many of the paintings are by Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell (sister of Virginia Woolf), who lived just a few miles away at Charleston Farmhouse. They were inspired by their travels to Italy where they had seen the mosaics at Ravenna and frescoes by Piero della Francesca at Arezzo. When Bishop Bell of Chichester invited them to paint the inside of the church they must have relished the opportunity, leaving few walls and panels untouched.

A range of biblical scenes are portrayed by the murals, including the Crucifixion (The Victory of Calvary, 1944) by Duncan Grant, featuring a suitably avant-garde choice of a blue cross on an orange background. Vanessa Bell was given the task of painting scenes such as The Annunciation (1941) and The Nativity (1941), which have a gentle and serene quality. Her son, Quentin - whose painting style was distinctly more Victorian - undertook paintings in the Chancel, such as the Sacraments, plus The Supper at Emmaus (1944), located at the east end of the north aisle. Family and friends were also involved, often posing as models for the biblical characters. This was typical of the Bloomsbury groups' method of supporting each others work. When Vanessa's paintings of Saints were sadly vandalised in 1962, other members of the group repainted these panels on the Pulpit. Duncan Grant lovingly decorated it with vases of flowers and fruit based on designs by Vanessa's daughter, Angelica.

Painted during the Second World War, the murals feature a few military references. Yet the artists were keen to create an optimistic feeling in the church, wishing to overcome the horrors of the war. This atmosphere is apparent when you step inside the building and stare in awe at the heavenly images that surround you. But despite the joyful nature of the decorative scheme there is a disjointed look to the set of murals as a whole, mostly due to the artists' differing styles. Moreover, some of the paintings appear whimsical or dreamy, while others are starkly realistic. For some viewers this sense of contrast will be part of the appeal of the murals, mirroring the unconventional characteristics of these artists. Whatever your opinion of the Bloomsbury set, and their artistic merits, this unique church is certainly worth a visit regardless.

The church is free to enter between 10am and dusk, dependant upon any services taking place. Parking is available in the small church car park, or on the land opposite the Cricketers' Arms. It is easy to combine a visit to the church with an excursion to nearby Charleston Farmhouse - open Wednesday to Sunday from March to October.

Address: St Michael and All Angels Church, Berwick village, East Sussex BN26 6SR.