There’s nothing quite like a good old fashioned camping trip. Connecting with nature, enjoying quality time with your loved ones, waking up to a swarm of bugs invading your tent and nibbling at your skin.
Okay, camping comes with its challenges. That’s why glamping was invented – to allow the more gentle-natured of us to enjoy our time outdoors without being too outdoors. If you’re a glamping fan you might be interested to hear about its cool new sibling ‘champing’.
‘Champing’ is a combination of the words ‘camping’ and ‘church’. It is exactly what it sounds like – sleeping inside a church. The concept was invented by the Churches Conservation Trust, a charity which works to preserve churches across the country, when they were looking for a creative way to increase funding and save more holy spaces. Since its inception in 2015, more than 10,000 people have ‘champed’ across 22 locations in England.
‘What about this experience is camping if you’re indoors?’ We hear you cry. It’s a good question. But between the camp beds, lack of showers, and low cost, we reckon it counts. It only costs an adult £59 per night to bag a bed underneath a steeple, which we think is a steal.
Some of the churches have electricity, while others do not, but that just adds to the campsite vibes. Although sleeping in a remote church in the dead of night may sound like a nightmare for some, it will no doubt be exciting to others. If you are one such adventurer, you can have a look at the full list of options for your champing trip here.
We hope you enjoy your sleepover and come out of it feeling closer to both God and nature. Have a fun/pious time!
All the UK’s coolest digs
Maybe you don’t fancy a stay in a church, but how about a visit to one of these treehouses you can actually stay in? If you want something cosier, try one of our favourite log cabins, or for something exciting book a stay in one of these cool castles.
Did you see that this hotel has just been crowned the best in the UK for 2024?
Plus: Three of the ‘world’s greatest places to visit’ are in the UK.
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