Historic Churches in Britain

There is nothing that evokes a sense of heritage more than the parish churches of Britain. These historic treasures range from fabulous cathedrals, some of the most elaborate and effusive examples of medieval architecture, to isolated country churches, slumbering away the years amid quiet lanes and hedgerows. I love visiting the historic churches of Britain, and I hope that you will, too. Most of the churches in our gazetteer are those I have visited personally. Where possible I have included opening information and directions. Follow the links on this page to find more resources for church tourism and to learn more about historic church architecture and history.

Historic Churches in: Scotland | Wales | for England see individual counties menu

Quick jump:
Cathedrals in England | Wales

The Best Churches to Visit in Britain: a highly subjective rating of the most historic churches in Britain - those churches awarded the top score in our Heritage Rating scheme.

Learn more:
Glossary of Medieval Church Architecture
Romanesque architecture
Gothic architecture:
    Early English
    Decorated
    Perpendicular
The Medieval Parish Church

Our picks among historic and architecturally interesting churches:

1. Patrington, Yorkshire - the perfect Decorated Gothic church
2. Lower Oddington, Gloucestershire - superb 'Doom' painting
3. Pickering, Yorkshire - perhaps the finest wall paintings in England
4. South Dalton, Yorkshire - a Victorian Gothic gem
5. Stoke Dry, Rutland - unique wall paintings and Gunpowder Plot association
6. Exton, Rutland - magnificent memorials
7. Barfreston, Kent - arguably the finest Norman carvings in England

Our favourites:

1. Wells Cathedral, Somerset
2. York Minster, Yorkshire
3. Ely Cathedral, Cambridgeshire
4. Salisbury Cathedral, Wiltshire
5. Canterbury Cathedral, Kent

Historic churches in England, county by county list:

• Bedfordshire
• Berkshire
• Bristol
• Buckinghamshire
• Cambridgeshire
• Cheshire
• Cornwall
• County Durham
• Cumbria
• Derbyshire
• Devon
• Dorset
• East Sussex
• Essex
• Gloucestershire
• Greater Manchester
• Hampshire
• Herefordshire
• Hertfordshire
• Isle of Wight
• Kent
• Lancashire
• Leicestershire
• Lincolnshire
• London
• Merseyside
• Norfolk
• Northamptonshire
• Northumberland
• Nottinghamshire
• Oxfordshire
• Rutland
• Shropshire
• Somerset
• Staffordshire
• Suffolk
• Surrey
• Tyne and Wear
• Warwickshire
• West Midlands
• West Sussex
• Wiltshire
• Worcestershire
• Yorkshire

Southwell Minster
Southwell, Nottinghamshire, England
Southwell began life as a Saxon manor, but in the 10th century it was granted to the Archbishop of York. The remains of the London palace of the archbishops of York can be seen next to the cathedral. The present church was begun in 1108, and it remains one of the best examples of the Romanesque style in England. That said, the chief reason to visit Southwell is its remarkable carving, notably on the pulpitum, but especially in the 13th century chapter house. Decorative foliage festoons the 36 stalls and … ... more

Church tourism
National and regional societies, charities, histories, and suggested regional resources

County Church Trusts
Many British counties and regions have a trust that cares for historic churches. This can be a great resource for finding interesting historic churches to visit. Here's a current list of county church trusts >>

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Medieval abbeys and monasteries
England | Scotland | Wales