Camping and glamping are familiar options – but how about Champingâ„¢? Welcome to a whole new camping concept courtesy of the UK-based Churches Conservation Trust, who has now trademarked the name.
Champing is a unique British invention, and has already aroused interest in several other countries. It sets out to be an answer to the problem of maintaining historic churches that no longer have active congregations. Set up many years ago, the Churches Conservation Trust is a charity responsible for over 350 churches, most of which of great historical interest and are listed buildings which have to be conserved due to their architecture, archaeology and art resulting from over 1,000 years of English history. By putting the churches into the care of the Churches Conservation Trust, the buildings are kept open for a wide variety of purposes such as event spaces, art centers, farmers markets, cafes and even a circus school. The Trust is always looking for new ideas, new ways to keep the churches open for community use.
In 2016, volunteers at a rural church, All Saints in Aldwincle, Northamptonshire had an idea – why not let individuals and small groups camp out overnight within the building. Initially it was one off event – but it worked, and demand grew. As a result, the Churches Conservation Trust looked at ways of extending the concept to include other churches.
Champing manager, Neil Best, explains. “The scheme started in a small way and it has grown steadily with over 20 churches now involved. More churches are added each year. It is for people of all faiths or none. All we ask is that people respect the historic building and the fact that it is consecrated.”
Facilities are basic. Anyone booking to use a Champing church will be provided with a camp bed, kettle, battery operated lanterns and candles, and bathroom facilities. Wax candles are not allowed. They are expected to bring their own sleeping bag and pillow, or can hire these from the church. Parking is available beside the church. Participants can bring snacks, but meals have to be taken in local pubs or restaurants. There are no cooking facilities.
Champing costs $65 (or £49.00) per person per night. Pre-booking is essential. All bookings are made through a central booking line, and paid in advance. This provides the right to exclusive use of the church between x and x. During the day, the camp beds are folded away as the church is open to the public to visit and explore. There may even be events taking place within the building. The churches remain consecrated for worship holding up to six Sunday services each year.
Room at Langport champing church [Photo by Joseph Casey]
Each participating church has a key holder or group of volunteers responsible for setting up and clearing away after each booking. They greet the champers on arrival, showing where everything is, offer to provide a guided tour of the church, share its history and answer any questions such as the location of the nearest pub for a meal! The layout of the accommodation varies from church to church. In some cases such as in Kent, there may be box pews allowing camp beds to be placed inside. Champers effectively have their own little bedroom, albeit just a bed, as you have to open and close a door to the pew to get in. Other churches set up camp beds in the nave or a side aisle, or there may be an open area at the back of a church used for events of various kinds.
A new initiative involving ‘sleep pods’ is being trialed at the small medieval Church of St Mary Magdalene, in Turnastone, Herefordshire. These architect designed pods that will be permanent structures within a corner of the church and contain heating, TV and Wi-FI.
There are admittedly a few drawbacks to Champing. Given that there is no heating the churches, Champing is only available between March and the end of September each year. The temperatures inside the church tend to be similar to those experienced inside a tent – except during hot weather, when the stone walls create a nice cool environment. Using computers and mobile phones is usually impossible as there are rarely wi-fi connections in the vicinity.
When asked if people were ever nervous about spending the night in a church surrounded by a graveyard, Chana commented, “No. The feedback we get is that people like the fact that it is a step out of time, away from modern life. They like having time to think, to relax. It is actually very atmospheric in the candlelight, tranquil and peaceful. People tell us there is a very benevolent, safe feeling.”
“Champers respect the fact that the building is a consecrated church. They don’t hold parties overnight, or go on ghost hunting expeditions. Most campers go walking during the day, sometimes moving between churches and the local custodian is always wiling to provide ideas as to what to do within the area. While staying overnight in the church, they can drink wine and relax. We provide a selection of board games, cards and books. They may visit the local pub or restaurant for a meal. Most campers are keen to learn about the history of the church, and enjoy the peace and serenity. We sometimes get people who are researching genealogy and want to study names in the churchyard and church. It is an experience rather than the provision of accommodation,” says Chana James of the Churches Conservation Trust.
“We are trying to widen the offer across other partner organizations in Europe. Sweden and the Netherlands are interested. The concept of Champing has appealed to people’s imagination. It goes back to the original use of churches as a place for the community, not just worship and has been described as the re-medievalisation of churches,” commented Neil.
Anyone wanting to include a church in Wales on their route will have to wait a year. Fforest are working with the Church in Wales to create simple, stylish overnight accommodation within remote churches and chapel buildings.
So what type of churches are available to champers? All the churches are in lovely locations, some in villages others in the open countryside and can be found in all corners of the country making it an ideal option for touring.
Remember reading Charles Dicken’s Great Expectations and the scene where Pip meets Magwitch in the churchyard? The churchyard of St James at Cooling, Kent provided Dickens with the inspiration he needed – and now you can stay overnight in the church while looking for the ‘little stone lozenges’ of 13 babies tucked away in the adjacent churchyard. Yet that is not the only stunning feature of the church as walls in the vestry are lined with thousands of cockle shells, as well as a 500 year old timber door. Also in Kent is the church of St Mary the Virgin at Fordwich where beds are made up in the box like pews. Up in Lancashire, comfortable camp beds with pretty throws are set up against the wall at St Leonard’s in Old Langho. Lots of carved stone and woodwork an be found inside the church, while outside the stunning Ribble Valley offers brilliant countryside to explore.
Head to the far north, to the remote Orkney Islands to enjoy a stay at the lime washed St Peter’s Kirk standing high above the Bay of Skaill on the island’s west coast. Just across the bay is the World Heritage Neolithic site of Skara Brae. Much further south in the West Country, the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Walkhampton awaits. Bordering the brooding plains of Dartmoor, this church is unusual. It actually faces north east, rather than east, and marks the point of sunrise on the longest day.
In West Sussex, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre at Warminghurst offers great views towards the Iron Age fort of Chanctonbury Ring – while for Americans, the adjacent house will be of great interest since it was here that William Penn lived before he left to found Pennyslvania. Equally of interest is the church of St Michael the Archangel in Booton, Norfolk which was designed and built by the Reverend Whitwell Elvin, a descendant of Pocohontas. A favorite venue among Champers, it sits amid a patchwork of green fields yet is close to the coast as well as the medieval city of Norwich. With plenty of bean bags, sofas and colorful camp beds sited under the immense stained glass windows, it is easy to see why it is so popular.
Roman history is on view when champing at St Andrew’s Wroxeter in Shropshire as it is located next to the Roman site of Viroconium. Take a close look at the walls of the church, and you may be able to spot the Roman stones used in its building.
Champing is definitely a memorable experience. Where else can you spend the night in buildings that are sometimes over 1,000 years old, full of beautiful architecture, stained glass windows, surrounded by masses of wonderful carvings of birds, animals and fantastical beasts, perhaps even medieval paintings on the walls?
There can be little doubt that campers are interested. According to the Churches Conservation Trust 25% of champers come from overseas, the majority from the USA. There are increasing numbers of repeat visitors, keen to return to churches time and time again or to try Champing at a new location, perhaps combining with more standard camping while touring the UK.