160 Churches to Explore in England

Escomb Saxon Church is one of the oldest Anglo-Saxon churches in England and one of only three complete Anglo-Saxon churches remaining in England. The church was built around 675 AD with stone probably from the Roman Fort at Binchester. Escomb church is on the national register of the Small Pilgrim Places Network. These places are small, spiritual oases, offering an atmosphere that encourages stillness, prayer and reflection for people of all faiths or none.

Exeter Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral, and the seat of the Bishop of Exeter, in the city of Exeter, Devon in South West England. An impressive example of Gothic architecture situated in one of the oldest parts of the city, the building’s elaborate West-front displays a series of notable 14th Century figures, whilst its interior contains a variety of unusual features from across the ages.

Glastonbury Abbey, in Somerset, England, is still a powerfully evocative place, shrouded in history, religion, and mythology. The abbey was founded in the 7th century and enlarged in the 10th. It was destroyed by a major fire in 1184, but subsequently rebuilt and by the 14th century was one of the richest and most powerful monasteries in England. The abbey controlled large tracts of the surrounding land and was instrumental in major drainage projects on the Somerset Levels.

The magnificent Gloucester Cathedral was built in 1100 as a Norman abbey church and survived the Dissolution thanks to its historical connection with the monarchy. It has one of the largest medieval stained glass windows in England and an elegant and impressive interior. The diocese covers the greater part of Gloucestershire, with small parts of Herefordshire and Wiltshire. The cathedral has a stained-glass window depicting the earliest images of golf.

Great Malvern Priory is one of the greater parish churches in the country and an active Anglican church with almost a thousand years of history. It was established in the year of 1085 and contains a fine collection of stained glass from the 15th century up to the 21st century, together with carved misericords from the 14th and 15th centuries and the largest collection of mediaeval floor and wall tiles. It also provides the venue for many concerts and other events.

St Mary the Great has been a well- established church, in the very heart of Cambridge. is one of the Greater Churches. It is designated by Historic England as a Grade I listed building. The church also hosts the "University Sermons" and houses the University Organ and the University Clock.

Guildford Cathedral is one of the town's iconic landmarks and a unique twentieth century Grade II* listed building with a beautiful interior and an amazing story. The Cathedral seeks to serve the people of Guildford and Surrey and is open to all, for free, 365 days a year. Across the weeks and months the Cathedral offers a varied programme of family-friendly activities, outreach for the elderly, schools visits and workshops, arts, events and volunteering opportunities.

One of the beautiful abbeys which was founded in 1246 by the Earl of Cornwall, Hailes Abbey is set amid delightful Cotswold countryside. Once the center of monastic life, the tranquil ruins are now the perfect place to relax and enjoy a picnic in a unique historic setting. Visit the new museum to discover the treasures of Hailes, uncovering stories of the monks who lived and worshipped at the abbey for nearly three centuries.

Halifax Minster is a handsome 15th Century Grade 1 listed Parish Church; a site of major historical importance, a place of worship, prayer, of civic engagement, education, and culture. It comprises a nave, chancel, and full-length aisles, and is thought to be the third church on this site, but it includes stonework from earlier periods. The organ has been enlarged several times in the 19th and 20th centuries and completely rebuilt in 1928 by Harrison & Harrison of Durham.

Hartland Abbey is a comfortable Georgian manor house, built upon the foundations of a 12th-century monastery. It has been in the same family since 1547. visitors can experience the stunning interiors, collections, beautiful gardens and walks but the Abbey exudes the warmth and friendliness only found in a family home cherished for generations. Close family connections to Poltimore House and Clovelly Court nearby are evident.

Haughmond Abbey is a ruined 12th-century Augustinian abbey in a lovely rural setting. The abbey roots go back to the 11th century when a small religious community was established here. The buildings fell into disrepair and the church was largely destroyed, although the remains of some of the domestic buildings remain impressive. The site is now in the care of English Heritage and is open to the public during the summer.

Hereford Cathedral is built on a place of worship used since Saxon times. It contains some of the finest examples of art and architecture from Norman times to the present day, including the famous Mappa Mundi, the medieval Chained Library and the Hereford Magna Carta. There are also many opportunities for visitors to experience the music of the cathedral with a range of concerts and recitals taking place during the year.

This was the Stratford's oldest building and Grade I listedparish church of the Church of England in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England. It is often known simply as Holy Trinity Church or as Shakespeare's Church, due to its fame as the place of baptism, marriage and burial of William Shakespeare. More than 200,000 tourists visit the church each year.

Jervaulx Abbey is a ruined Cistercian monastery located in a peaceful valley setting in the Vale of Ure, a few miles east of the Yorkshire Dales. Apart from its historical significance and the beauty of the location, Jervaulx is known for its horticulture; over 180 varieties of wildflower grow in and on the abbey walls. The place name Jervaulx is first attested in 1145, where it appears as Jorvalle. The name is French for 'the Ure valley' and is perhaps a translation of the English 'Ure-dale',

Kilpeck Church is located in Herefordshire near the Welsh border. It was home to the finest collection of Romanesque sculptures in England. It was built in about 1140 and has survived remarkably intact and unaltered to the present day. One of the iconic attraction in this area and attracts a lot of tourists.

Kirkstall Abbey is a feat of historic architecture set amid a haven of wildlife and greenery. This medieval Cistercian Abbey is one of the most impressive and offbeat ruins in the country. It is situated in the midst of vast parkland on the banks of River Aire. It offers the perfect introduction to the life of 12-century monks. One of the unique locations which pave light to the history of th is area.

Lacock Abbey is a country house with monastic roots and Britain's birthplace of photography. It is set in spacious wooded grounds, with plenty of space to picnic, and is now recognizable from films varying from Pride and Prejudice to Harry Potter. It was home to the Fox Talbot family. In the early 19th century, polymath William Henry Fox Talbot invented the photographic negative, a cornerstone in the rise of photography as both an art and a popular hobby.

This beautiful church was a 15th-century building and it contains several pre-Conquest reminders of an earlier building, including a Saxon doorway and fragments of Saxon crosses. It is in the deanery of Lancaster, the archdeaconry of Lancaster, and the Diocese of Blackburn. Its benefice is combined with that of St John and St Anne. The present building holds Viking ornaments, crusaders’ coffins, and part of Jacobean ‘three-decker’ pulpit.

Lanercost Priory was founded about 1166 by Henry II. When completed in 1220, canons came from the priory in Norfolk, and remained for some 370 years until the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1536, by Henry VIII. The priory is situated at the village of Lanercost, Cumbria, England, within sight of Naworth Castle, with which it had close connections.

Leeds Cathedral, also known as St Anne’s Cathedral was built in the early 20th Century in the Arts and Crafts neo-gothic style. It contains war memorials, relics, and sculptures. Dedicated to Saint Anne, the mother of Our Lady, the Cathedral is situated in the heart of Leeds city center and contrasts with the surrounding new hotels and office blocks, The Light shopping center, and the Victorian Town Hall.