All God cons: camping in churches has a record year as UK staycations boom

As conventional campsites fill up, more holidaymakers are discovering thejoys of ‘champing’ – and silent nightsPenny Thomas has always favoured adventure holidays over lying on a beach. But this year, with UK destinations in such demand during the pandemic, she found a unique way to avoid the crowds.Rather than staying in a busy campsite, or trying to get a rare available holiday home, Thomas, her partner Pete Matthews and labradoodle Betty checked into a 13th-century church. &