Champing in England

Champing is a relatively new, very unique concept that simply involves camping in ancient churches. The phenomenon quickly grew in popularity after The Churches Conservation Trust in England introduced it. It started the program to raise funds to preserve some of the county’s most beautiful religious landmarks.

While sleeping in church is usually frowned upon, this new phenomenon allows travelers the opportunity to travel and stay affordably while also enjoying quiet, peaceful sleep surrounded by stunning, historic architecture. Three sites in England are currently available to rent camping space: The Church of St Cyriac & St Julitta at Swaffham Prior in Cambridgeshire; The Church of St Mary the Virgin in Fordwich, Kent; and the All Saints’ Church at Aldwincle in Northamptonshire.

St. Mary’s, which dates from Norman times, features 14^th-century stained-glass windows, 17^th-century wall paintings and beautiful hand-carved wooden pews. The Church of St. Cyriac & St. Julitta, established in the early 13^th century, is an architectural gem comprised of towers, buttresses and intricate stonework. All Saints’ Church is another 13^th-century landmark and architectural museum where the famous poet John Dryden was baptized.

Champing prices in these locations are as low as £55 per night, and the Churches Conservation Trust hopes to add more locations in the coming months after seeing positive traveler responses.

While the name itself, like glamping, leaves much to be desired, the concept is distinctive and offers yet another way to immerse oneself in travel destinations.