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Church Crawling

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What to expect

A transporting and gloriously entertaining journey through the hidden lives of England’s rural parish churches – from building conservator and church ‘rescuer’ Rachel Morley

The poet John Betjeman coined the phrase ‘church crawling’ to describe his days out visiting churches. In the spirit of Betjeman, Rachel Morley’s book captures the magical experience of poking around a dusty village church, only to have it transform – through her expert eyes – into a portal to the past, one that brings England’s people and history to life in the most colourful, moving and unexpected ways.

Through their wall-paintings and monuments, their graffiti and plaques, their jumble of furniture and curios, Morley shows these buildings to be the expression of centuries of communal memory and folk culture – time capsules of connection to ancient and medieval ways of thinking, to revolutions and wars, to lives both glorious and humble.

Too many of England’s fifteen thousand parish churches are now neglected and crumbling. Church Crawling helps us to see them for what they really are: places that thrum with the drama of life, and an incomparable treasure trove that offers as close an encounter with our past as it is possible to get.

© Rachel Morley 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026

Critics Review

A glorious journey into England’s past, written with infectious wit, flair and passion. This isn’t just an exploration of England’s churches; it’s a book about history and memory, ghosts and relics, full of extraordinary stories and unforgettable characters. It’s a work of rare historical insight and dazzling poetic beauty. I loved it
Dominic Sandbrook, author of Who Dares Wins and co-host of The Rest is History
Written with astonishing craft, this is a captivating and original telling of the stories of England’s history, geology and theology
Suzannah Lipscomb, author of Six Lives
Just as the Lorax spoke for the trees, so Rachel Morley speaks for the churches of England. To read her enchanting book is to be granted the chance to share in her love for them: a wonderful thing indeed!
Tom Holland, author of Pax and co-host of The Rest is History
Hugely enjoyable – I read it in one sitting. This is a thrilling, brilliant book which will make you see these beautiful buildings with new eyes. As churches face growing crises, Church Crawling will be one of the most important books you’ll read this year
Alice Loxton, author of Eighteen
A wonderful book, learned and yet enjoyable. Rachel Morley gets to the heart of the parish church. It could have no more faithful friend
Simon Jenkins, author of A Short History of British Architecture
An enchanting voyage through English culture, filled with love, joy and humour. This is a very special book
James Fox, author of Craftland
A delightful, illuminating love song to English churches
Tracy Chevalier, author of Girl with a Pearl Earring
This charming and impassioned book celebrates the spirit and material of England’s churches. It is a pleasure to read
Peter Ross, author of Steeple Chasing
A shimmering paean to the parish churches of England, sparkling with history, humour and wisdom
Anna Keay, author of The Restless Republic
Uncovering the collective memory imbued into the walls of our churches, Morley casts new light on these precious buildings. After reading Church Crawling you will never look at a church in the same way again
Daniel Wilson, Great British Architecture
Author Rachel Morley
Narrator Rachel Morley
Duration 9 hours and 50 minutes
Release Date
ISBN 9781529970890
Format Audiobook
Publisher Random House
Genre Architecture: religious buildings, Christian Churches, denominations, groups, European history, History of architecture, History of religion
Availability AU, GB, IE

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