A room with a pew… go glamping in a church
NODDING off in church is normally to be frowned upon.
But those lulled by the liturgical atmosphere – or who simply wish to dwell longer in communion with God – can now do so in luxury, thanks to a new Church of England scheme.
Cash-strapped churches are to capitalise on their scenic charms by hiring out “glamping” accommodation, with lets costing as much as £890 a week.
Instead of asking guests to squeeze a sleeping bag between pews, churches will install luxurious oak “pods” – even in buildings where there are still regular services.
The pods, which can be removed, will sleep up to six people and will be equipped with the latest flat-screen televisions, free Wi-fi, stateof-the-art-kitchens, a lounge and bathroom, as well as under-floor heating and woodburning stoves.
Ruth Knight, environ- mental policy officer for the Church of England said, “The aim is for small, quite isolated churches that don’t have a community around them to be able to afford to maintain the building.”
Holidaymakers will be able to book for days or even weeks, enjoying exclusive use of the historic buildings. But, in churches where Sunday services are still held, their stays will have to be tailored to avoid clashes with services or weddings.
The money raised would be ploughed back into maintaining the buildings, which, nationally, costs an estimated £100 million a year.
The first church to have a pod will be St Michael’s in Dulas, near Hay-on-wye, in Herefordshire’s Golden Valley. Architects have designed a £140,000 prototype that should be open in the 13th century church in 2019. The cost would drop to £70,000 if the pods are mass-produced.
Reactions from locals had been “positive” said Tim Bridges, Church Building Support Officer for the Hereford Diocese. “The church has been closed for ten years,” he said. “But people are keen not to see the church fall down and want it to have a sustainable future.”
However, traditionalists have criticised the scheme. Anthony Kilmister, president of the Anglican Association, said: “This has the potential to destroy the prayerful atmosphere of many churches. I understand the need for money in the bank, but… this scheme is a step too far.”