‘Champing’ takes off as a way to raise funds to save ancient buildings and open church doors to the community

For some, the sanctum aids a deep and serene night’s sleep. Others find their slumber disturbed by a chill and the company of bats. Either way, camping in churches – “champing” – has proved a huge hit in recent years. Now it is set to spread to more places of worship in the UK and Europe in anticipation of record demand.

Champing started four years ago at All Saints in Aldwincle, Northamptonshire, a grade I-listed medieval church with limestone arches inside and carved birds and beasts on the exterior. It was declared redundant in 1976, and is now in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust, which promotes champing as a way of raising funds to maintain and protect ancient buildings.

This year, 18 disused churches are inviting the public to sleep on camp beds squeezed between pews or beneath stained-glass windows. Almost 2,000 people champed in 2018; enquiries suggest demand will be even higher this summer.

And, although the CCT is responsible only for churches that are no longer used for worship, there is growing interest from functioning churches in champing as a way to raise money for repairs and to open their buildings to the community.

In Hereford, where 85% of the diocese’s 420 churches are listed, officials are considering installing “sleep pods” – permanent structures for overnight guests. The idea will be test-run at St Mary Magdalene, a tiny medieval church in the village of Turnastone.

“Personally, camping in a cold church is my idea of hell,” said Wendy Coombey, community partnership officer for Hereford diocese. “But an architect-designed pod, with heating, TV, wifi, lovely comfortable furniture and bedding – that would be lovely. Most of our churches are beautiful medieval buildings, well-loved but with dwindling congregations. Some are used only once a month by a handful of people.”

Churches in Wales will take part in a scheme launching later this year to provide overnight accommodation to cyclists and hikers. “There are some 800 chapels and churches in the rural and coastal communities of Wales – many of which are facing an uncertain future,” said James Lynch, who runs Fforest, a sustainable holiday company.

The scheme would “celebrate and promote the heritage values of these beautiful buildings and provide a new sustainable model for continued community engagement and use”.

The CCT has also had discussions with churches in the Netherlands and Sweden, said Neil Best, the trust’s champing manager.

“Rural churches across Europe are at great risk. We need to do something about this before we lose these amazing historic buildings,” he said.

Champers are charged from £49 per adult per night, which covers camp beds, chairs, candles and lanterns, bathroom facilities (often a solar-powered eco-loo), and tea and coffee-making facilities. They bring their own bedding, food and drink. Breakfast is usually available at an extra charge from a local resident or farmer.

Christian belief is not required. “We welcome people from all faiths, creeds and cultures. The building remains consecrated and will always be a place for contemplation, tranquillity and peace,” says the CCT’s champing website.

“Our churches don’t have extensive facilities,” said Best. “There may be no heating, or no electricity. Often there’s no phone reception so it’s brilliant for a digital detox and for contemplation.”

More than a quarter of people visiting the CCT’s champing website so far this year were from the US, he said. “There’s a huge amount of interest from tourists coming from abroad as well as people here in the UK.”