You Can Spend the Night in A Historic Church: Discover Champing

Enjoy and unique break and experience a historic church like never before: discover the practice of ‘Champing’.

Did you know that it’s possible to spend a night (or more!) sleeping over in beautiful, historic churches across England?

Champing is a practice designed by the Churches Conservation Trust (CCT) of camping overnight in historic churches. Church and camping- champing!

Every stay helps the CCT raise funds to preserve historic churches for future generations, whilst rewarding ‘champers’ with exclusive use of their chosen church and probably the most unique UK short break experience you can have.

I’m very fond of an old church to mooch about in, and I love a good graveyard, so you can imagine how chuffed I was with the idea of having a church to call my own for the night.

Here’s everything you need to know about Champing.

Champing: Where Are The Churches I Can Stay In?

There are Champing churches all over England & Wales, ranging from the rural to those that belong to bustling towns and villages.

Each church has it’s own story and something unique about it. For example, St Peter’s Church in Warwickshire is the sold survivor of the lost village of Wolfhampcote whilst St Mary Burgh Parva is a unique ‘tin tabernacle’ church dating from 1903.

On the Champing website you can view each church and search by location or number of guests.

I’ve enjoyed two Champing stays to date. Firstly at St Mary’s in Edlesborough, Buckinghamshire, known as ‘the church on the hill’ due to it’s elevated location and secondly at All Saints church overlooking the pretty Somerset town of Langport.

Do You Get the Church to Yourself?

Yes, every Champing experience comes with exclusive use. You even get the Church keys so you won’t have any unexpected visitors!

It is requested that you keep the doors unlocked before 4pm and after 10am so that day visitors can access the church. They may be surprised to see you, but explaining what you’re doing is a good conversation starter.

In order to access the church, you’ll need to locate the keys. These are usually in a lockbox somewhere, details of which will be in a pre-arrival email. Helpful to have a copy of codes and locations to hand, or you’ll spend time looking in the wrong places and scratching your head.

It’s an amazing feeling opening the door to a beautiful, historic space and knowing it’s yours for the night. That big old fashioned key beats swiping a plastic hotel keycard any day!

What’s Provided in the Champing Package?

Each Champing booking comes with a basic package that includes camp beds, chairs, lanterns, candles ( battery operated- no naked flames!) along with tea and coffee making facilities. Even a corkscrew and glasses, in case you fancy a tipple.

The volunteers who make Champing happen- affectionately known as Church Mice- will ensure everything is ready for your arrival. You can book a bedding bundle, or bring your own.

You can set the space up as cosily as you like. I like to be cosy with matching bed covers, hot water bottle, pillow spray, the lot. As opposed to Mr THL who’s used to roughing it. He drops his bag, unrolls his sleeping bag and calls the job done. Champing: The His-and-Hers version.

As for the bathroom facilities…well, here’s the thing with pitching up in an ancient space; the church predates most modern amenities. Expectations must be managed

The Champ Lav is a water-less loo, a dry separating toilet. I had reservations, but it works just fine. And in case you’re wondering, it doesn’t smell. Other than that, bathroom facilities generally involve baby wipes and plenty of hand sanitiser.

If the church doesn’t have running water, you’ll be provided with bottled drinking water.

Some of the Champing churches have more modern amenities such as running water and kitchen facilities. Check each description carefully, or contact the Champing team before booking if you’ve specific requirements.

What Do You Do When You’re Champing?

Well, it’s your break so that’s really up to you! There’s no real rules other than no cooking or naked flames in the Church, for obvious reasons. Things we got up to on our Champing breaks include:

Exploring the church: Starting with the obvious, the church is yours for the night so go for it. Find all the pretty features, hidden corners and quirky bits of history.

Play Games: Churches are brilliant for a spot of hide & seek, or pull the chairs round and play cards.

Explore the local area: A night in a champing church often takes you somewhere you wouldn’t normally go, make the most of it. We enjoyed discovering some local history in Edlesborough and exploring the pretty countryside around Langport.

Wildlife spotting: Old churches and church yards are a haven for wildlife. We’ve spotted a barn owl swooping round the tower and shared our space with bats.

What to Pack for Champing

Mostly, just pack as you would for any camping trip. Things I found essential or useful include:

Bedding: If you’ve not booked to hire, you’ll need to bring your own.

Layers: Most of the churches aren’t heated. Hot water bottles are provided. Layer up and don’t forget fluffy socks for bed.

Extra lights or glo-sticks: You might want to bring some extra torches. If the Champ-lav is outside the church, bring a couple of glo sticks to mark your way.

Things for your dog: If you are champing with a dog, bring the basics. Dishes, poop bags, a towel or drying coat and something to lie on.

Yes, Champing is Dog Friendly!

Good news. Champing is dog friendly, so you don’t have to leave your four legged bestie behind. Up to two dogs are welcome at no extra cost. Little Wolf had the best time.

How Much Does it Cost ?

Midweek prices are £55 per adult/ £25 per child, per night.

Weekend prices are £65 per adult/ £30 per child, per night.

There is no dynamic pricing, the cost per person is the same year round. There are also free child place in July and August for up to four children aged 15 and under. It’s a great deal!

I loved our Champing adventures and look forward to spending the night sleeping in a historic church again in the future. I hope I can inspire you to give it a go.

Helen x