'I tried 'champing' craze sweeping the UK - and kids go free in summer holidays'

Camping in historic churches has won a huge army of fans across the UK - and it is free for children in the school holidays.

More than 10,000 people have now tried 'champing', staying overnight inside a church. Families say its cheap rates and the free spots for kids are a real blessing. The brainchild of The Churches Conservation Trust, it is helping to promote and preserve historic places of worship.

And it is bringing 'sustainable' tourism to some of the most beautiful parts of the country thanks to rates starting at £55-a-night. The ingenious idea is also providing vital funds for the upkeep of churches which might otherwise face closure. It comes after sunbed wars see Brits forced to queue for 'over an hour' just to get to the pool.

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The Mirror visited St Mary's Church, Arkengarthdale, in the heart of God's Own Country, a beautiful, tranquil valley in the Yorkshire Dales. We visited the Dales at their very best, in glorious sunshine; the opening credits for All Creatures Great and Small (the original series) were filmed just up the road; the village is set in rolling countryside.

Built in 1820, you find yourself in a room with a pew, on a camp bed beneath the vaulted ceiling. There is a mini-kitchen with microwave, toaster, kettle, fridge and hot water. There is a loo (no shower) with local amenities a short distance away.

As night falls beyond the pulpit and magnificent stained glass window, guests rest in peace; there is almost total silence, with blinds down, and the church bells silenced (they used to ring every 15 minutes, including overnight). The cast of vicars pictured on the wall date back to 1830, with the holy 'team sheet' reading like a village cricket team. Champers sleep beneath the gaze of Wakefield S Meade (1866-1868), W.A. Butterworth (1915-1924) and G.J.B Bidgood (1944-1948).

A memorial to Mr Bidgood's son is a reminder of the history of the building. It pays tribute to his eldest son, flying officer Eric George of the RAF, who made the 'supreme sacrifice' on November 16, 1940. Nearby, by the stained glass window, there is a reminder not to take the lord's name in vain. In the darkness, a lone owl called out at 3am from the graveyard outside, where the long term residents are even more peaceful than the short term 'champers' inside.

Guests sleep next to a bookstand of bibles. In the pews by my head, there is a note which reads: "Members of the church hope you find inner peace here". New arrivals are invited to bring 'fish and loaves, that kind of thing'. They are guided by the 'Church Mouse', Penny Duncombe, 56, a retired solicitor who is the church treasurer.

She told the Mirror that the upkeep of the church costs £20,000 per annum, with champing bringing in vital funds. And it also gives visitors the chance to enjoy the unique experience offered by a church at night.

"You may not be religious, but you may feel more spiritual just by being here," she said. "This is also providing much needed revenue. We pay around £12,500 annually to the diocese. Insurance and electricity bills bring the total bill to £20,000-a-year.

"Champing is helping to ensure that churches survive. I think it is amazing that we can open them up to visitors. People are spending at local businesses; it makes staying here more affordable for families.

"Otherwise they might not be able to come here at all." The impressive Gothic gem is the perfect base for walking, cycling and touring the beautiful countryside which surrounds it. Market towns of Richmond and Barnard Castle are nearby. And it has already proven popular with champers so far. One group wrote in the visitors' book: "A night to remember, wild and bright, we'd champ again, but leave on a light?"

There are 31 sites in England and Wales, with plans to expand into Scotland and beyond. The £55 per person, per night rate is Monday-Friday, £65 Friday to Sunday, children half price in term time and free during July and August for school summer holidays.