Churches are important roosting sites for bats and some have provided a safe haven from habitat loss for many generations.
In small numbers bats often go unnoticed, but when a large roost is present they can create an unmanageable cleaning burden, reduce the functionality of the church, and cause damage to heritage items of high cultural value.
The Bats in Churches project is a unique partnership between Natural England, the Church of England, the Bat Conservation Trust, the Churches Conservation Trust, and Historic England that was created to address the issues that bats can cause in churches while continuing to protect their roosts.
Funded by a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project endeavours to empower church communities to live alongside and appreciate their resident bats by helping to alleviate some of the pressures that they can cause.
Historic churches are attractive to bats because of their many entry and exit points,
nooks and crannies to roost in, and are often surrounded by a species-rich churchyard
Our projects
We have 0ver 100 projects across the UK aiming to protect bats and the amazing heritage buildings they call home.
- All
- East Anglia
- Midlands and the North West
- South and Central
Arundel, St Nicholas
More information on our work with this church coming soon. Please contact us if you would like to find out more.
Askham, St Peter
A small ‘pre-ecclesiological’ Gothic Revival church of 1832 by Sir Robert Smirke (the architect for nearby Lowther Castle), incorporating features from the earlier medieval church on this site.
Baconsthorpe, St Mary
A pretty decorated Norfolk church full of monuments to the Heydon family and home to a roost of Common and Soprano Pipistrelles.
Banningham, St Botolph
A part-thatched Norfolk church with a series of wall paintings and a collection of fine Medieval glass. Home to Pipistrelle and Brown-long Eared bats.
Billingford, St Leonard
A picturesque, peaceful church on the Norfolk/Suffolk border with Natterer’s bats roosting in the low tower.
Blagdon, St Andrew
The C15th tower of the beautiful church of St Andrew’s is one of the tallest in Somerset, and an important feature in the landscape. Brown long-eared bats roost in the wall cavity behind the altar.
Blickling, St Andrew
Home of the Boleyn family and the Marquesses of Lothian, we’re working to protect the many brasses and monuments from bat-related damage.
Brampton, St Mary Magdalene
An active community church just outside Huntingdon. We’re commissioning full surveys of the bats and the church heritage to see how we can help here.
Help us find out how bats are using churches across England
By surveying your local churches for bats
Need help or info about bats?
Call the Bat Helpline on 0345 1300 228
Churches in England are eligible for free bat advice provided by Natural England. This can include a free visit by a trained volunteer and can be obtained when:
- Bats are causing a nuisance inside the church
- Renovation or small scale building work is planned
- Grounded bats are found
Need help or info about bats?
Call the Bat Helpline on 0345 1300 228
Churches in England are eligible for free bat advice provided by Natural England. This can include a free visit by a trained volunteer and can be obtained when:
- Bats are causing a nuisance inside the church
- Renovation or small scale building work is planned
- Grounded bats are found