Part of Warwick Words History Festival
5-11 October 2026
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 deserted rural church – then seeing it transform, through her expert eyes, into a portal to the past, bringing England’s people and history to life in the most colourful, moving and unexpected ways.
Wall-paintings and monuments, graffiti and plaques, carved beams and crypts, furniture and oddities: Rachel shows these buildings to be the living expression of centuries of communal history and folk culture, time capsules of wonder and connection. An experience so rich and so layered, offering a close encounter with the past.
Rachel will be in conversation with Dominic Sandbrook, historian, writer and broadcaster and co-host of The Rest is History.
Disclaimer: All information was correct when the listing was prepared. Any questions about the event should be directed to the event organiser.