Churches Tourism Association

Locked or unlocked?

Contrary to some expectations, most Anglican churches are open to visit daily: around 3 out of 5 churches are unlocked, and only 1 in 4 are kept locked. Others are open at special times. The proof is here: the remarkable digiatlas.org now covers over 30 counties and has nearly 7000 churches listed, from Northumberland and Cumbria in the north to Cornwall and Kent in the south.

Each page contains a general comment on the locking situation in the county, an overview map, a pie chart, and one or more maps showing the churches and their status. The information provided here is not available anywhere else for most counties of England. The maps have proved popular with people interested in exploring churches.

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.