Absolutely not (unless you consider some people in your party to be strange, but that’s something we can’t help with). It will be all yours, for you and yours alone. Once the booking is confirmed and the deposit paid, no other booking will be accepted. Please note – although you have sole Champing™ rights to the church after 4pm and before 10am, please be aware that some of our churches can receive a high footfall from visitors in the summer months. They might be pleasantly surprised to see you, so please make sure to tell them what it’s all about – spread the Champing™ love, people…

We don’t believe in high season, low season or anywhere in between. Our prices are the same for the entire period our churches are open – and they often reduce in price as we have regular offers and promotions. Click here for our price list

Our rates always include the use of camp beds, chairs, lanterns, candles, tea and coffee-making facilities, a loo – oh, and we chuck an ancient historic church in with the price too. More information about exactly what we offer will be sent to you at least a fortnight prior to your trip.

We can offer you ChampBed hire, which means that not only do you get to sleep in our comfy fold-out camping beds by the glow of the battery-powered candle (more romantic than it sounds…), you can hire a bedding set from us for £25 golden coins of the realm. Each bedding set comprises a cosy mummy sleeping bag, and a plump pillow complete with protector and pillowcase – none of that inflatable nonsense or sad little travel pillow for us!

These materials will be stored off-site as ancient stone buildings aren’t the best places for storing textiles, and our Church Mice will launder the linens for that fresh sheets feel! Due to the cost of the laundering and logistics we will charge £25 per person for the hire, for the duration of your stay.

If you’re arriving by car, you can bring anything you like, the kitchen sink if you really must (although without taps of H₂O to turn on, it might be a little disappointing). If in doubt, pack it.

(Also known as “Will I be cold”? or “Just how cold is it”?) 

Generally not. We find that churches are deliciously cool in the summer, but as huge open spaces they do tend to cool your body too, over time! The truth is that sleeping in churches is no colder than being under canvas; plenty of layers are the answer. And have another glass of warming wine…

Breakfast is not included but we try to offer the option to have breakfast at a venue near each church (even delivered at Aldwincle) and the delicious choices vary from church to church. You’re very welcome to bring snacks of your own too, we only request that you don’t attempt to cook inside the church and pack your rations away, we love those poor church mice, but only as in whimsical poetry.

Please note we’ll supply you with a kettle, crockery and cutlery, tea, coffee, hot chocolate and sugar; and of course – the essentials -a corkscrew. Just don’t forget the milk!

Up to two good dogs are very welcome – or three, if they’re very small…

Yes, and you might be lucky enough to spot them! Most churches have a one or two lone bats roosting in the roof. Sometimes they like to stretch their wings inside the church, so you may see a flutter high above you, but you’re more likely to see them outside, leaving to feed at dusk. If you’re interested in a bit of bat detecting, we can advise on the best churches to stay in, so do get in touch.

Inside the church, yes. We provide the glasses, corkscrew and bottle opener, you bring the bottle.

You get exclusive hire of your church for the night, for the most celestial sleep possible. We’ll set out your camp-beds, camp-chairs, tea & coffee making provisions (please bring your own milk), lanterns and fairy lights. Bedding and breakfast are additional extras, available in select churches only.

Most churches do have lights and one or two electric sockets to use. Those still off-grid and suited for that get-away-from-it-all true historical experience are churches in Aldwincle and Wolfhampcote.  We provide lanterns and fairy lights at all churches, to give you that cosy camping glow.

Most churches aren’t connected to mains supply, so instead we provide fresh bottled water from the lovely people at AquAid. You’ll still be able to heat water with the electric kettle provided, or gas stove and camping kettle supplied in churches without electricity, so you can make your morning cuppa or fill your hot water bottle for cosy night. Some even offer you their community hall kitchen to use, complete with cooking facilities and all the crockery and pots and pans to go with it, or have kitchen areas inside.  Please ask if you need something specific, we have a variety of  facilities available.

Ahh, the toilet issue. Eco is the way to go. We have discretely installed water-less thrones either inside or outside the church in cabins. They look like any other loo, expect all users must sit down at all times. For those looking for lantern-lit walks in the middle of the night, try Cooling, Edlesborough,  Holme Lacy, Langport, and Wolfhampcote. And for a slightly different experience, the quiet idyllic valley of Longsleddale has an open toilet block opposite the church (lanterns recommended). All other churches have ‘ChampLavs’ contained inside, or a normal flushing loo. You’re welcome.

No. That’s like saying that you need to be a surgeon to walk inside a hospital or a teenager to shriek at a Taylor Swift concert (ahem….)! We welcome people from all faiths, creeds and cultures. The building remains consecrated and will always be a place for contemplation, tranquility and peace. The space has adapted to the requirements of humanity in the previous centuries and Champing™ is just the latest chapter in this ongoing tradition of change. So come on in.

Not all churches will have services,  nor will any church bells start pealing at any time, or a be-cassocked choir arrive to polish their vocal chords (although that could be arranged, if you really want. Flash mob!). The church buildings that have passed to the care of the Churches Conservation Trust (CCT www.visitchurches.org.uk), the national charity protecting historic churches at risk wont have services.  Other Champing churches may have services, so check out the info for each one and if you’re lucky enough to book your stay when a service is due to happen, you can absolutely join in, just change out of your pj’s first please!   You’re very welcome to hold your own sermons too when the church is empty,  if you want to. Speak up, we can’t hear you at the back…

At Champ Towers we love the child species, we’re so down with the kids already, heck – some of our best friends are children…etc. Of course little people can come Champing™ (but only the nice ones).

Seriously, children are always welcome to champ, it’s a fabulous spontaneous adventure for children aged from 1 to 101! Children can roam and explore the entire church and church yard, but please be aware that the building and grounds are still a consecrated space and rowdy games of football etc are not allowed in the church yard. There will be some other open space nearby where the little ones can let off steam – if they have any energy left from exploring the church!

Yes of course. Please just bring food that you don’t need to cook, safety (and ancient building fabric) first! As noted above, we provide tea and coffee etc. and in the fullness of time we plan to introduce the option of pre-ordering locally-sourced fayre to be waiting for you in the church. What an utter bore for our Church Mice, sampling all the local delicacies on your behalf…sigh.

In a word- no. We’re into flattering, authentic lighting schemes as much as the next Champer, but naked flames are just too risky and candle wax can stain. We provide plenty of very realistic battery-operated candles (people have tried to light them in the past) and camping lanterns and torches. Please feel free to bring your own torches and lamps too, as these countryside settings can get very, very dark! Oooooh!