Churches Tourism Association

Here are some websites that can start you on your journey of discovery.

Networks and organisations representing churches:

• The Open Churches Trust has helped over 300 places of worship to open their doors, including Anglican, Roman Catholic, Unitarian, Baptist and Jewish. The website has entries for churches listed by county.
• For Cathedrals and some major churches, see the Pilgrim’s Association website
• The Churches Conservation Trust looks after more than 340 architecturally or historically important churches that are no longer in regular parish use. 
• Friends of Friendless Churches
• Historic Chapels Trust
• Scottish Redundant Churches Trust
• Explore Small Pilgrim Places around the UK (and beyond).

Regions and counties:

• Lancashire churches
• Leicestershire and Rutland churches
• North East England
• City of London churches
• Yorkshire churches
• Sacred Sussex
• Wrexham Open Churches Network, Wales
• Ancient Churches of Wales
• Sacred Scotland - over 1,000 churches to see in Scotland

More links to information about churches to visit can be found here.

If you would like some reading to help your exploration, the following would be an excellent starting point for what could grow into a lifetime’s passion:

• England's Thousand Best Churches, by Simon Jenkins, Penguin paperback.
• The Church Explorer's Handbook, by Clive Fewins, published by The Open Churches Trust.
• A Glimpse of Heaven: Catholic Churches of England and Wales by Christopher Martin and stunning photography by Alex Ramsay (also available as a DVD movie).
• Churches to Visit in Scotland, published by The Scotland's Churches Scheme.
• Jewish Heritage in England by Sharman Kadish - a comprehensive guide to more than 300 historic synagogues and undiscovered Jewish heritage sites.

These should all be available from good bookshops online or in a high street near you.