CityofBristolREDCLIFFEStMary(explorechurches.org)21

Deep South England

From the garden of England to rugged coastlines.

The southeast of England is the sunniest region in the UK with its coast averaging more than 1600 sunshine hours per year and more than seven hours per day during summer months. Flowing countryside teeming with wildlife and unbroken rivers, rolling manor houses ancient churches. Step back in time in medieval villages and quintessential coastal towns. Explore museums, art galleries and best of all stand where history happened in some incredible churches.

In the southwest, not only will you find quaint villages and exquisite cream teas, you’ll also find tremendous examples of history within its ancient abbeys and churches. This has been a special place for a long time and our ancient sites stand testament to the ages. Off the beaten track is a delicious chocolate box of villages, all with amazing churches to visit and in which to discover the county's rich and sacred heritage.

From Gothic cathedrals to Georgian churches, there is no shortage of incredible architecture across the capital. But the people stories are even more fascinating. From suffragettes to Royal weddings, stand where history happened in London.

The history of southern England can be told through its churches, here we share some regional pages as well as stories, themes and trails. Explore our pages to discover great churches to visit.

Deep South England

English churches on our map
WiltshireGREATDURNFORDStAndrew(nocreditPERMISSIONBYEMAIL)1

Wiltshire

History in Wiltshire is not just ancient, come today and you can walk through time.

CornwallGUNWALLOEStWinwalloe(nilfanionCC-BY-SA3.0)1
NilFanion

Cornwall

Cornwall’s churches are rarely simple buildings nestling into the landscape, they are assertive structures with heaven thrusting spires or towers.

SomersetGLASTONBURYStMichaelTower(jackpeaseCC-BY-2.0)1
JackPease

Somerset

A county noted for its chocolate box churches, tall square towers and a handful of Somerset hunky punks.

GloucestershireTEWKESBURYTewkesburyAbbey(jayt74CC-BY-SA2.0)1
Jayt74

Gloucestershire

In regency spa and market towns, close to stately homes and set in rolling, green landscapes, Gloucestershire's churches truly are glorious.

DevonSELWORTHYAllSaints(lewisclarkeCC-BY-SA2.0)1
LewisClarke

Devon

In all corners of Devon, not only will you find quaint villages and exquisite cream teas, you’ll also find tremendous examples of history.

CityofBristolBRISTOLTheNewRoom(explorechurches)9

Discover more from us

European churches

As one of the biggest and most visited cities in the world, many European communities have built or use churches in the London, if you’re visiting from Europe, there’s a little bit of home here.

Sir Christopher Wren

Sir Christopher Wren was an English scientist and mathematician and one of Britain's most distinguished architects, best known for the design of many London churches.

Royal weddings

Happy and glorious churches and cathedrals across the UK have hosted royal weddings through history, here we take a peek inside.

Nicholas Hawksmoor

Hawksmoor was responsible for six new churches in London; each different, each is unique.

Oak apple day

The escape of Charles II from England in 1651 started with the Royalist defeat at Battle of Worcester. He had many adventures, most famously hiding up an oak tree in Boscobel Wood.

Vineyard churches

With vineyards set in gorgeous countryside across the country, it’s easy to combine discovering great architecture and social heritage with a tastebud tingling tasting session.

Charles Dickens

Born in Portsmouth in 1812, Dickens was one of six children. He went on to create some of the best loved fictional characters and is regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era.

National Parks

From the rugged wilds of the Cairngorms in Scotland and the ancient woodlands of the New Forest in southern England to the golden shores of the Pembrokeshire Coast in Wales, all of our National Parks are truly special places.

Edge of the world

There is always something magical about visiting a tidal island church. The incredible rhythm, the ebb and flow of the sea, means these shape shifting islands are other worldly, mysterious.

CityofBristolREDCLIFFEStMary(explorechurches.org)23