Explore Religious Heritage Across Europe

A church has stood on the present site since Norman times, this probably being the third, but in 1786 the medieval building, which had a history of instability, was judged beyond repair and pulled down. The present church was then built after surrender of the southern side of the site to enable Wine Street to be widened.

Christ Church, Hampstead, built between 1850 and 1852 in the Early English Gothic style. In 1881-1882, the north porch and north aisle were added. In 2015, major renovation work was carried out on the church.

Christchurch Priory, an 11th century Grade 1 Listed building, given five stars in Simon Jenkins seminal work on English Parish Churches. The Priory is the longest parish church in the country and has been a place of worship for centuries and offers peace and calm and an opportunity for prayer.

A Methodist Society was formed in Bardney as early as 1788, 44 years after John Wesley's first conference.

The church of Saint Michael dates mainly from the Norman period but was renovated between 1875 and 1892. This church retains a very old structure with a remarkable Norman doorway; its later development is interesting and good internal elements from different periods remain.

The Church of St Mary and All Saints was built in the 14th century and is in Gothic style. Its north transept was rebuilt in 1769. The church underwent extensive renovations in 1843 and 1896/8. The church's famous twisted spire dates from around 1362. Legend has it that the church spire turned when trying to look at a bride, surprised that she was a virgin. Other stories see it as an act of the devil. It is now believed that the twisting of the spire was caused by the lead expanding faster on the south (sunny) side than on the north side of the tower, resulting in uneven expansion and contraction.

The first mention of the church in Northleach dates from around 1100, but from the end of the 14th century, the church was almost completely rebuilt in perpendicular Gothic style. The west tower was built around 1380-1400, and the baptismal font also dates from the end of the 14th century. The present nave and the south porch were built in the first half of the 15th century, as was the pulpit. The church was restored in 1877-84 according to the plans of the neo-Gothic architect James Brooks.

Empshott is a beautiful area of English farmland and woodland at the headwaters of the River Rother. The Church of the Holy Rood, which is 13th century, though there has inevitably been some rebuilding over the centuries, including a charming bell turret. The church is the heart of the village.

The Collegiate Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity is better known as the Holy Trinity Church or as Shakespeare’s Church. It is the place of William Shakespeare’s baptism, marriage and burial. The current church building dates from 1210 and is therefore the oldest building in Stratford-upon-Avon. In the 14th century, a chantry was founded by John de Stratford. This had to be rebuilt between 1465 and 1491. Some believe that the church originally had a wooden spire, which was replaced in 1763.

Nothing can be more peaceful to behold than the little church at Colintraive, situated by the shores of the Kyles of Bute, clearly visible from the sea against a dark background of trees.