After 'glamping', how about some 'champing'?

'Champing', or 'church camping', is a unique way of discovering the British countryside and helping to preserve its culture

As far as "shires" go, Shropshire in the West Midlands is one of those places in the UK which, generally speaking, wouldn't manage to generate the tiniest blip on the country's touristic radar. Over the last eight years or so, however, the sleepy village of Wroxeter within the shire has been drumming up some serious buzz. All thanks to the Church of St Andrew's, which sits at its very centre.

Imbued with ancient Roman myth and legend, this church is said to have been first built in the 12th century (with many subsequent rebuilds over the years) on the old Roman ruins of Viroconium. At the site of the ancient town's Roman baths, to be more precise. So, no great surprise then that it is fashioned more on the lines of a fortress than a church. With magnificent buttresses and menacing gargoyles pat in place.

But while St Andrew's may no longer be a working church-having been deconsecrated in 1980-it is now enjoying a new lease of life. One as a "champing" destination, with its comfortable pews and wooden balcony, perfect for a cosy night's sleep for up to eight "champers".