Have you heard of Champing? It’s a mix between a Church and camping, because several churches have thrown open their doors to campers! Yes, you can stay in some wonderful Church buildings for a totally different experience. We thought this sounded like a fun adventure, and found the gorgeous St Bartholomew’s Church in Lower Failand, just outside Bristol. The experience was dog-friendly (teen-friendly too!) so no-one was left behind.
Champing with teens (and a dog!)
I discovered Champing on Instagram a few years ago and have been trying to find the right time to try it out. We found a few days in half term when everyone was free (this seems harder the older the children get!) so booked St Bartholomew’s Church in Lower Failand for two nights.
As you can see there was plenty of parking outside the church. Our sleeping area was in a side chapel which could be closed off from the main church. Camp beds were provided but we brought our own sleeping bags, pillows and blankets. St Bartholomew’s Church had a tiny kitchen and separate toilet, so we had everything we needed for our short break.
The church was unheated but there was a small heater in our sleeping area, once we shut the door we were lovely and cosy. St Bartholomew’s Church is in a very quite area so we all slept well, only woken by the sun streaming through the stained glass in the morning.
We brought some basic food supplies for the hungry teens (thankfully there was a fridge to use). We also discovered an amazing farm shop and cafe called Honey & Ginger Farm shop in Failand, where we stocked up on hot drinks and pastries too. The local pub wasn’t serving food when we popped in, so we drove on to Bristol and had a delicious meal in Clifton and walked over the famous Suspension Bridge.
Our stay at St Bartholomew’s Church in Lower Failand was everything we hoped it would be. It’s fun to do different things with the teens and everyone enjoyed our unusual surroundings. It was also the perfect base to explore Bristol and surrounding area. This time we visited the pretty seaside town of Clevedon and used our National Trust passes to visit Clevedon Court and Dyrham Park.
Let me know if you’ve ever heard of Champing before.
What a charming and refreshingly honest look at church camping with teens, and a dog in tow! I really enjoyed how you balanced the challenges and joys of the experience, making it feel relatable and inspiring for families like mine. Your tips and humor made me want to plan our own little adventure, thank you for sharing!
This is the first time I’m hearing of champing. It’s definitely something I would like to experience too. Safe, learn a bit of history, explore the local sights. Definitely something to remember.