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
Colmworth, St Denys
More information on our work with this church coming soon. Please contact us if you would like to find out more.
Comberton, St Mary’s
More information on our work with this church coming soon. Please contact us if you would like to find out more.
Compton Martin, St Michael the Archangel
The Norman Grade I listed church of St Michael the Archangel is home to three species of bats, with serotines roosting in the porch roof, and Daubenton’s and soprano pipistrelle bats roosting inside the church.
Coston, St Andrew
The distinctive medieval church of St Andrew is Grade I listed and home to a maternity colony of Natterer’s bats.
Cranworth, St Mary’s
A church full to the brim with monuments and memorials, from the 1600s to the Victorian era, all commemorating members of the Gurdon family.
Dalham, St Mary the Virgin
A Suffolk landmark with a flint flushwork tower and dramatic wall paintings. We’re commissioning full surveys of the bats and the church heritage to see how we can help.
Davidstow, St David’s
More information on our work with this church coming soon. Please contact us if you would like to find out more.
Deopham, St Andrew
On the Heritage at Risk register and in need of urgent repairs. We’re commissioning full surveys of the bats and the church heritage to see how we can help.
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