Champing – camping overnight in ancient churches – is organised by the Churches Conservation Trust, the charity protecting historic churches at risk.
When you book through their website, you'll have the whole place to yourself overnight – although it's worth noting that worshippers and curious people can still pop in during the day. While most of the churches aren't heated and without electricity, staying in a peaceful space within beautiful surroundings more than makes up for it – and you can bring plenty of comfy layers and even some food and drink, too.
It's worth checking the Churches Conservation Trust website to discover the full list of champing sites in the UK, as well as the latest pricing and facility information.
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Best champing sites in the UK
St. Mary the Virgin, Arkengarthdale, North Yorkshire
This impressive 19th-century English Gothic church on the east side of the Pennines, in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and International Dark Skies Reserve, is a great champing choice for stargazers as well as nature lovers. It’s close to the Herriot Way, the Inn Way and the Coast to Coast Walk, plus it’s a handy base for tackling the Yorkshire Three Peaks.
The nearby town of Richmond boasts a 900-year-old castle – one of the best surviving examples of Norman fortress architecture in England – as well as tranquil gardens and breathtaking views across the Yorkshire Dales. The 12th-century ruins of Barnard Castle are well worth exploring, as are the independent shops in the town named after it.
Breakfast can be found at Two Dales Bakery in the village of Reeth. You could also pay a visit to the Tan Hill Inn, Britain’s highest public house at 527 metres above sea level, surrounded by the stunning scenery of Swaledale.
Built in 1820, the church itself is pared-back in style, with plenty of light. It has a reredos (altarpiece) and a plaque made by celebrated craftsman Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson.
Insider info: A cyclist-friendly church, so bring your bike.
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All Saints, Aldwincle, North Northamptonshire
This elegant medieval church is on the edge of the picturesque village of Aldwincle, surrounded by woods, wetlands and wildflower meadows.
The building has a 15th-century square tower and boasts intricately carved birds and beasts on the exterior. Inside, the chantry chapel has a priest’s door and working organ if you feel inspired to bash out some Bach. The overall feel of the church is grand yet restrained; there are no pews so you can set up camp wherever you like on the flagstones.
The area has a rich history; 17th-century poet John Dryden was baptised in the church and Mary, Queen of Scots was beheaded down the road in Fotheringhay in 1587. Walkers will enjoy nearby Rockingham Forest, 200 square miles of ancient woodland and a former Norman hunting ground. Barnwell Country Park isn’t far away, with its lakes, meadows and trails to explore. All Saints is also close to the river Nene, ideal for canoeing or kayaking.
Insider info: Pack eye masks – this church is flooded with light in the mornings.
St. Mary’s, Edlesborough, Buckinghamshire
Set in the middle of the Chilterns National landscape, this awe-inspiring church boasts medieval floor tiles, Victorian wall paintings, 15th-century misericords and striking stained glass windows. The building is perched on a chalky hill on the edge of the village of Edlesborough, with views from the churchyard across the valley below.
The champing facilities are basic but comfortable and although the interior is capacious, camp beds are set up in the bell tower which feels cosy and welcoming. Champers can eat at The Traveller’s Rest pub down the road or try a takeaway burrito (on Fridays and Saturdays) from Edlesborough’s Café Heirloom, which also serves breakfasts and brunches.
Ivinghoe Beacon is just up the road, where The Ridgeway National Trail begins, or ends. You can hike up to a hilltop viewpoint there and gaze out across the Vale of Aylesbury and deep into Oxfordshire. The chalky grasslands of Dunstable Downs are nearby, with several circular walks and an abundance of wildlife.
Animal fans might enjoy the incredible Natural History Museum at Tring which houses Walter Rothschild’s vast zoological collection.
Insider info: Look for a stern mermaid suckling a lion on the misericords.
St. Mary the Virgin, Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex
Despite its unromantic proximity to the M11 motorway and London Stansted Airport, this medieval church enjoys a peaceful setting next to the grounds of Stansted Hall, the country seat of the Earls of Essex during the reign of Henry VIII. Built of local flint, there are parts of the church that date back to the 1100s, but this ancient building is a real gallimaufry of architectural styles: the brick tower is a 17th-century addition, the porch is Victorian and the main doorway is Norman, topped with an intricate carved arch incorporating zigzag and saltire-cross mouldings.
There are two exceptional 17th-century tomb figures to admire. One is a sculpture of Hester Salusbury in her hunting clothes; she is said to have been killed by a stag while hunting nearby in 1614. The other is of her father, Sir Thomas Middleton.
If you fancy a walk, Hatfield Forest isn’t far away and is a haven of tranquil trails. History lovers can explore the re-constructed motte and bailey at nearby Mountfitchet Castle or The House on the Hill Museum, which has an exhibition of toys, books and games dating from the late Victorian era up to the 1990s.
Wimpole Estate isn’t far away, with its walled kitchen garden and mansion full of lavish Georgian interiors, including a Roman-style bath house by architect John Soane. Stansted Mountfitchet itself has everything you need, including great pastries at Uppers Coffee, Lower Street.
Insider info: Look out for the remains of two mass sundials, used by priests to determine the time of services.
St. Botolph’s, Limpenhoe, Norfolk
Set on the north bank of the River Yare in the Norfolk Broads National Park, this simple church surrounded by fens and marshland is a heavenly spot for cyclists, walkers and birdwatchers alike.
Limpenhoe was one of the first places in the British Isles settled by the Angles and Saxons, so the area boasts rich layers of history and myth. According to local legend, the handle on the church’s main door came from the lid of a chest buried at the bottom of ‘Callow Pit’ – a bog in the nearby village of Southwood.
The church was almost completely rebuilt in the early 1880s, but still has a beautiful Norman doorway, a 13th-century font and some remaining lower parts of the 15th-century tower. A colourful stained-glass window from the 1890s depicts the Baptism of Christ but the rest of the interior is pared-back and unfussy.
This is a great location for a weekend break and Limpenhoe itself oozes country charm.
Insider info: Pack binoculars for birdwatching near the Broads.
St. Mary the Virgin, Walkhampton, Devon
Half-a-mile north of Walkhampton village, perched on a 213m-high hill, you’ll find this elegant granite church with its striking pinnacled tower. It borders the Dartmoor National Park with moorland walking trails, mysterious stone circles and cycling routes galore. The church’s lonely position is all part of its romantic appeal, perfect for seekers of peace and solitude.
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Though the church was built in 1259, most of the interior elements date from the 1450s. The interior is a beguiling mix of styles, with exposed stone walls and decorative Victorian tiles that bring colour and pattern to the space. There’s also a vast organ, which is in working order if you’re brave enough to try it. From the church, you can do a selection of suggested circular walking routes, ranging from one mile to 10 miles in length.
Once you’ve revelled in the silence, you might want to liven things up with a day trip to Plymouth to take in some city sights, beautiful beaches and attractions such as the National Marine Aquarium. Alternatively, National Trust property Buckland Abbey is close by. Part museum, part house, it was founded as a Cistercian monastery in 1278 then later became a grand residence, owned by Sir Francis Drake in the 1500s. There’s lots to see and do, including an ancient tithe barn and lovely woodland walks.
Insider info: Climb Sharpitor for views of Burrator Reservoir.
St. Bartholomew’s, Failand, Somerset
Within easy reach of Bristol yet surrounded by beautiful north Somerset countryside, St. Bartholomew’s stands some distance apart from the village of Failand on a quiet lane. Although built in 1887, this steepled church is built in 14th-century architectural style and features beautiful stained glass, oak pews and circular windows. The south transept provides the setting for a fine tapestry depicting Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, which took nine years to make.
North Somerset has a huge network of walking and cycling routes to discover. Don’t miss The Strawberry Line, a 10-mile traffic-free path from Yatton to Cheddar that follows the route of former rail branch, the Cheddar Valley Line.
Feeling energetic? Climb the steep hill behind Tickenham to discover the earthworks of Cadbury Camp Iron Age hill fort. Champers can buy breakfast from Honey and Ginger, a community farm shop up the road from the church.
Insider info: Look for a tiny mouse hidden in the tapestry.
St. Mary the Virgin, Fordwich, Kent
A small welcoming church beside the River Stour, St. Mary the Virgin has provided a resting place for travellers for centuries, sitting as it does on the ancient pilgrim Way of St. Augustine. The church has 17th-century fittings, box pews and wall paintings. It also houses The Fordwich Stone – a mysterious carved shrine-like block, dating from around 1100, which might contain St. Augustine’s relics.
The church is a stone’s throw from Westbere Marshes – a 38-hectare wetland reserve with a riverside walk and pathways where you can see breeding birds and rare dragonflies. Outdoor swimmers can have a dip in Westbere Lake or in the River Stour at Fordwich. Stodmarsh Nature Reserve is another great place for a stroll – there’s a lovely circular walk broken up by the Grove Ferry pub. Try watersports along the Stour, such as kayaking, fishing and boating, or visit the beaches of Whitstable and Thanet, only 20 minutes’ drive away.
Canterbury Cathedral is a highlight and Eastbridge Hospital is fascinating, too – a medieval pilgrim hostel in Canterbury with 14th-century wall paintings and a crypt. Well worth a visit is Canterbury Roman Museum, built over the remains of a Roman town house.
Insider info: Bring paper and wax crayons to try your hand at brass rubbing.
St. Dona, Llanddona, Anglesey, Wales
This is one of only two champing churches in Wales. Nestling in the hillside overlooking Llanddona beach with views of Red Wharf Bay, St Dona is about a mile from the village of Llanddona and four miles from the historic town of Beaumaris, where there’s a good selection of shops, restaurants and pubs.
The building dates from 1873 but there was a church on the same spot as early as 610. The interior is warm and welcoming thanks to painted walls and carpeted floors. The highlight is a stained-glass window added in 1963, depicting Christ, St. Curig and St. Dona.
From this idyllic base, walkers can enjoy the Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path, which passes close to the church, wander the golden sands at Llanddona beach and perhaps brave a sea swim. There are no shops in Llanddona, but there’s a welcoming pub, Yr Owain Glyndwr, and a small beach café within walking distance.
Insider info: See if you can find a stone over the east window bearing the date ‘1566’ – it has been re-set upside down.
St. Mary, Longsleddale, Cumbria
Surrounded by dramatic fells, this little church is nestled in an unspoilt valley on the eastern edge of the Lake District, just a few miles north of Kendal. Longsleddale was the inspiration for Greendale, the fictional home of Postman Pat, and it’s easy to see why – this quintessential Cumbrian village is the epitome of rural charm with chocolate-box cottages and a pretty humpback bridge.
Built in 1863 on the site of a much earlier chapel, St. Mary is carpeted throughout, so the interior is more homely than you’d expect. There are antique wooden chests to admire plus ornate painted decorations on the chancel arch. While the church itself is tiny, a community hall is just across the road, providing champers with a luxurious fitted kitchen and toilets.
It’s perfectly positioned for exploring the Lake District, and there are some exquisite Cumbrian peaks close by, such as Grey Crag (with views across to the Pennines from the summit), Harrop Pike, Branstree and Tarn Crag. Wild swimmers can hike to the nearby River Sprint where the shallow pools are suitable for a dip.
Medieval Sizergh Castle is within easy reach, as is Levens Hall – an Elizabethan home with pleasant gardens. The Museum of Lakeland Life and Industry in Kendal is well worth a visit, too.
Insider info: Don’t miss the 1662 cupboard with carved details to the left of the altar.
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