National Churches Trust has developed an initiative, ‘Experiences by ExploreChurches’, to help churches create new ways to encourage visitors to their buildings.

Oozing with heritage and full of stories, as well as being great venues for all sorts of activities, the UK’s churches are packed with experiences. Which is why the National Churches Trust has developed this initiative to help churches create new ways to encourage visitors to their buildings.

COVID19 is re-shaping tourism. Although many things have changed, church tourism continues to have great potential. VisitEngland says that 55% of day trips include a visit to church or cathedral and 83% of people in the UK believe churches are an important part of the UK’s history and heritage. And we want churches to be ready in 2021 when hopefully the tourism industry will be able to open up fully once again, able to welcome more and more visitors.

The National Churches Trust will deliver its ‘Experiences by ExploreChurches’ project through its tourism website Explorechurches.org, which is becoming recognised as a place for church tourism. It will promote the Experiences and help to bring new visitors and extra income for your church.

What is an experience?

Experiences are exciting and immersive activities that make a great day out. They include discovering and exploring fascinating places and hands-on activities that make for really memorable visits. They can be as simple as a guided walk between two churches, or more complex, all we stipulate is that the experience must include at least one church, chapel or meeting house. For example:

• guided cycle ride visiting three churches and sampling the best of local produce
• afternoon tea party in a church with live music
• church tower visit and see the sights on a guided town tour