Out & About July 2017

C hamping is an ingenious new way the Churches Conservation Trust has found to make money, keep some beautiful medieval churches in good condition and let everyone have a bit of fun. It started a few years back and now there are 12 disused churches across the country – even as far afield as Orkney – which people can champ in for the night, between March 31 and September 30 each year. So champ we did, and St Katherine’s Church in Chiselhampton became our home for the night. The pretty little white-walled 18th-century church is nestled in the countryside just south of Oxford and we would have exclusive use of it from 6pm (the doors stay open until then in case anyone wishes to pop in). It was a favourite of former poet laureate John Betjemen apparently and is the star of his 1952 works Verses Turned in Aid of a Public Subscription towards the Restoration of the Church of St Katherine, Chiselhampton . Not wanting to be lounging in our sleeping bags when someone popped their head around the church doors, we decided to spend the day visiting some of the sites in Oxford before making our way over to our champsite later in the day.

themselves known and we watched them, along with the rowers and punters, as they bobbed along the water in front of us. A visit to Oxford isn’t complete without a waterside drink in The Head of the River pub, so we finished the afternoon with a visit there before jumping on the bus and heading back to the car, discussing which of the university colleges the girls now wanted to attend. That part of the day was easy. We knew what to expect from Oxford, but now we were venturing into unknown territory. We’ve been camping a few times, but had no idea what delights champing would hold. I had been surprised by the enthusiasm with which my husband had greeted the idea when I first mentioned it, but the children were slightly more apprehensive and, if I’m honest, I was a little nervous that it would seem a bit spooky for them – and me. We pulled up outside the small Georgian chapel, which was built in 1762, and parked in the narrow layby next to the front gate, where a sandwich board announced to any interested passers-by that a champ was in progress. The pretty grounds were well-kept, with rose bushes lining the gravel path to the church door.

We used the Redbridge park and ride, which costs just £2.20 (£2 if you pay cash) to park for the day, plus return bus fare for two adults of £5.20 – children were free. With daughters aged nine and seven, it was inevitable that we would end up in a few shops, so had a browse around Waterstones and Zara before making our way down to the Ashmolean Museum. This stunning building houses a cornucopia of treasures, as well as a gorgeous café selling homemade soup, lemonade and cakes, among other treats. The museum plays host to a range of events throughout the year and on this occasion, it being half-term when we visited, there was a range of arts and crafts activities based around the River Nile. Perfect for daughter one who has been studying the Egyptians at school. A smiling volunteer was also on hand to take children on short guided tours of the Egyptian artefacts kept in the museum. Both my daughters found this fascinating, particularly seeing the mummies up close. After a few hours of exploring the historical collections, we wandered down to the river and sat in the sun to enjoy lunch. The resident geese and ducks certainly made

come for a sleepover at our place a unique opportunity to stay somewhere truly extraordinary

mini champers go free all summer *

Seemore at www.champing.co.uk for how you can book your exclusive Champing™ adventure this summer

*Termsapply.Champingaccommodation isfreeforchildrenaged15andunderbetweenFriday21stJulytoSunday3rdSeptember2017 inclusive.Shouldyouwishtobringmorethan5childrenpleasecontactuson02078410436beforemakingyourbooking

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