The Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust and the Diocese of Ely present – Steeplechase: Cambridgeshire’s Civil War Churches.
ChurchExplorer is a guide for discovering church stories, offering self-guided tours, and a digital info point for churches, even when closed. Together with Samuel Pedlar, Church and Community Support Officer at the Diocese of Ely, the Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust have developed a brand new trail for the Church Explorer App - Steeplechase - based on Cambridgeshire's Civil War Churches.
Download and use the app here!
The English Civil War left a lasting mark on the nation, and many of its key figures had deep roots in Cambridgeshire. Their stories are woven into the fabric of the county’s parish churches—from Major General John Disbrowe and the Earl of Manchester to the Lord Protector himself, Oliver Cromwell. Follow the trail through Cambridgeshire’s churches and cathedrals to uncover the rich history of this turbulent era. Along the way, discover hidden architectural treasures, remarkable local tales, and connections to other notable figures such as T.S. Eliot.
You can drive the full route, or choose to cycle or walk between different stops along the trail—exploring at your own pace, any time, and starting from anywhere.
The Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust (CHCT) was founded in 1983 to provide loans and grants for the preservation, development, and renovation of historic churches and chapels across Cambridgeshire. The county is home to over 300 churches and chapels of significant historic and architectural interest, spanning more than a thousand years—from Saxon origins to the 20th century.
Since its founding, CHCT has raised and distributed over £2 million in loans and £500,000 in grants. The Trust is particularly keen to support projects that help church buildings serve their wider communities—such as installing kitchens, WCs, improved access, heating, and modern wiring.
If you enjoy this tour and would like to support the work of the Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust, please click here to donate and find out more.