Covid-19 update

In response to the Covid-19 national lockdown between 5 November and 2 December, our churches will be closed to the public for general visiting throughout this period. However, as places of worship, we will continue where possible to support the local communities around our churches by providing access for independent prayer.

We care for our 356 churches with the help of over 2000 volunteers, meaning normal opening arrangements for each church are individualised and locally managed. Throughout the lockdown period, the safety of our volunteers is our primary concern. Therefore, access for independent prayer will not always be possible and may vary throughout the period. As a guide to when a church is likely to be open for individual prayer, please refer to the normal opening arrangements listed on the individual church pages of our website. Please note, however, that if you chose to visit a church for independent prayer, local circumstances may mean you find the church closed.

As we once again close our church doors for general visiting, you can still enjoy the beauty of CCT churches from the outside. Many of our churchyards have open access to the public and can be enjoyed as part of a walk. Take a look at our walking guides for some route suggestions – here you will find details of themed walks across the country, such as ‘A Dickensian Stroll’ in Kent and ‘Walking the Wars of the Roses’ in Yorkshire. If you are out and about and entering churchyards, please remember to take care over rough and un-even ground. Please remember to follow the Government’s guidance on social distancing and take care around frequent hand contact points, such as gates and stiles. Carry hand sanitizer or a flask of warm water and soap with you.

We appreciate many people will be unable to get outdoors to enjoy the exterior of our churches and the peace of our churchyards. You can still enjoy the beauty of CCT churches online with our Google Arts and Culture exhibitions and learn about medieval wall paintings in ‘Saints, Sinners and Socks’ or find out how to read a church.