Investigating tourism in relation to churches

Determining how tourism could be developed in the Diocese

Peter Wiltshier, Senior Lecturer and Tourism Management Course Leader, was asked by the Church of England’s Diocese of Derby to investigate tourism in relation to its churches.

Peter consulted with members of the clergy and lay people involved with church property, and he looked at aspects such as tourism’s contribution to the Diocese, ways this could be developed, and what tourists would expect from visits to Diocese sites and their capacity to deal with expectations.

Influences on tourist visits

He also investigated potential influences on tourist visits including architectural attractions, congregation sizes and even the numbers of bells a church tower had.

Unusual churches are most popular

Peter’s research revealed that ‘notable’ churches, or those seen as more unusual, were most popular with tourists. One example was St Marys and All Saints Parish Church in Chesterfield, more commonly known at the 'Crooked Spire' church.