Luke Sherlock takes a look at our ‘Forgotten Churches’

This is a love letter to the churches of England, with vivid and captivating writing…

Discover England’s Most Beautiful and Overlooked Churches with Forgotten Churches: Exploring England’s Hidden Treasures. For centuries, England’s churches have stood as quiet witnesses to history, filled with remarkable craftsmanship, untold stories, and layers of cultural heritage.

Yet many of these extraordinary buildings remain overlooked – until now.

Luke Sherlock has spent years travelling the length and breadth of England, uncovering hidden architectural gems and sharing their beauty with thousands online. In Forgotten Churches, he invites you on a journey through 70 of the country’s most atmospheric churches, from thousand-year-old Saxon chapels and striking Gothic landmarks to hidden Romanesque sanctuaries and ornate Victorian treasures.

From the remote landscapes of Northumberland and Cornwall to the Norfolk fens, the Yorkshire dales, and the Somerset hills, Sherlock reveals the forgotten stories of these extraordinary places – of local communities, master builders, and the shifting tides of history – while capturing the magic of stepping into these timeless spaces.

Whether you love history, architecture, or simply the charm of England’s rural landscapes, this book is your guide to discovering some of the nation’s best-kept secrets. Forgotten Churches is the perfect compendium for history enthusiasts, architecture lovers, and anyone who finds inspiration in England’s vivid and storied past.

Luke Sherlock is a writer, pilgrim and book shop owner with a boundless enthusiasm for heritage and art. There’s little he enjoys more than throwing on a backpack, heading off down some unknown footpath and pausing to explore a hushed, ancient church along the way. His writing covers historic landmarks and the landscapes they sit within. Luke grew up exploring the Peak District of Derbyshire, a landscape that inspired his deep yearning to hit the ancient routes that criss-cross England. On social media Luke shares photos of his travels on instagram.

The book has been illustrated by Ioana Pioaru who has developed an extensive exhibition record which includes national and international solo and group shows. Ioana received her BA (2008) and MA (2010) from the National University of Arts in Bucharest, where she studied fine art drawing. In 2021 she was awarded a doctoral degree by the University of Chester for her research into the concept of artistic maximalism. She lives in West Sussex.

Forgotten Churches: Exploring England’s Hidden Treasures

On sale now | 978-0711294103 | Hardback & ebook | £15.99 | Amazon