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The Art of Champing

Tomos Powell

min read

Champing is a new phenomena that involves spending the night in a beautiful church. England already has some amazing churches you can stay the night in, some even have their origins dating back to the medieval times. You’re also helping preserve these ancient spaces by spending the night at a church, The Churches Conversation Trust have brought about champing who are national charity looking to protect these ancient buildings.

All Saints Church, Aldwincle, Northamptonshire

This beautiful grade I listed church is a must for all you champers out there! Located in Northampton it has its origins in the 13th century although there has been renovation taken places through ought the years and as recently as 1893. Fun fact: The post John Dryden was born nearby and was actually baptised in the church in 1631. Not only is it a beautiful building to stay in it also has a host of activities the whole family can enjoy nearby. Canoe2 who operate canoe hire on the River Nene is nearby for all those who enjoy getting out on the water or want to try it out for the first time. For the crafty types there is Pot en Ciel Ceramics where you can get messy and paint your own pottery and ceramics, they also even accommodate ceramic parties.

link: https://www.holidayfox.com/en/e/dest-E4cXBjsFagAE/aldwincle-northamptonshire-all-saints

St Mary’s Church, Edlesborough, Buckinghamshire

At almost 800 years old and boasting a fantastic limestone tower St Mary’s really is one for the history buffs. It has a mix of medieval woodwork, Victorian stained glass and wall paintings to name a few of its historic features. St Mary’s can sleep up to 8 and really must be on the list for all budding champers out there. Not only is the countryside surrounding the church beautiful it also has plenty to of activities to keep you occupied. Whipsnade Zoo is the largest in the UK and has a fantastic collection of over 4000 animals, surely that’s worth a visit alone?

link: https://www.holidayfox.com/en/e/dest-Jf1P4bx51Nu8/edlesborough-buckinghamshire-st-mary-s-church

St Cuthbert’s, Holme Lacy, Herefordshire

With a view of the Herefordshire hills and situated on a the river Wye, they really picked a great spot when building St Cuthbert’s church. The church is mentioned in the Domesday Book which means it must pre date 1086 and existed during the rule of William I. Not only does the St Cuthbert’s itself have an impressive history, it has several monuments surrounding it that are grad II listed, such as a cross just to the south of the church. Hereford is famous for many things such as being the home of the SAS or it’s impressive cathedral that boast the Mappa Mundi but one must visit is the Waterworks Museum. The Museum is Hereford’s most popular tourist destination and tells the story of humans relationship with water from early cave dweller to modern water purification.

link: https://www.holidayfox.com/en/e/dest-OCm3ZYdg6QKm/holme-lacy-herefordshire-st-cuthbert-s-church

St Mary the Virgin, Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex

Wow! This medieval church has parts dating back as far as the 1100s. It has a peaceful setting even if it is easily accessed by the motorway, inside the church it has two amazing tomb figures from the 17th century and really is worth a stay. The local area also has amazing history such as the Wimpole Estate that has beautiful gardens that you can walk through. There is also Mountfitchet Castle which can proudly say it has the only Norman village and Castle reconstructed on where once originally stood, this open air museum is really unique and is a great day out for everyone.

link: https://www.holidayfox.com/en/e/dest-iVpsgJ7TRNV9/stansted-mountfitchet-essex-st-mary-the-virgin

All Saints, Langport, Somerset

An impressively large church with a stonking great tower on top of a very steep hill, All Saints looks down over the pretty Somerset village of Langport. Built mainly in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, it overlooks the remains of a Benedictine abbey. The church’s bold, pinnacled west tower, covered with gargoyles known locally as ‘Hunky Punks’, is a local landmark. However, its most special treasure is its east window, containing the largest collection of medieval stained glass in Somerset.

link: https://www.holidayfox.com/en/e/dest-TLy-qlQoQsGV/langport-somerset-all-saints

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