Chapel on the Hill, near Middleton-in-Teesdale, County Durham

Beautifully renovated to take full advantage of its lofty ceiling and long windows, this isolated 19th-century Methodist chapel is all white walls, characterful decor and boutique bathrooms on the inside. But if its glorious views over the Durham dales can’t tempt you away from the wood-burner and out into the uplands, you don’t deserve to be here: the Pennine Way is at the bottom of the road and one of England’s highest waterfalls, High Force, with its wildflower-strewn footpaths, is a 15-minute walk away.
• From £150 a night, minimum three-night stay, sleeps seven in four bedrooms, chapel-on-the-hill.com

High Haven, Lambston, Pembrokeshire

You don’t have to be an interior designer to turn a 1,000-year-old church into an enviably chic holiday home, but it helps. In a hamlet just outside the Pembrokeshire Coast national park, this recent conversion combines a modern Welsh aesthetic – woven textiles, flagstone floors, pale grey walls – with evocative original features, such as a Romanesque stone font and an oak altar turned into a kitchen island. The two small double bedrooms look out across the Preseli hills; two double sofabeds on the mezzanine mean you could (in theory) squeeze in eight occupants.
• From £100 a night, 01646 693873, pembrokeshirenetlet.co.uk

Little Tin Chapel, Chester

Built beside the Shropshire Union canal in 1919 to provide a place for the waterborne workforce to worship, Chester’s last remaining tin tabernacle is now a quirky city-break bolthole. Guests entering the grey-painted dwelling for the first time often remark on the Tardis-like impression of its open-plan cooking, dining and living area, where white walls and a modern kitchen are softened by wooden floors and sofas covered in Harris tweed. The city’s renowned Roman ruins, black-and-white revivalist buildings and independent shops are a 10-minute walk away.
• From £85 a night, sleeps four in two bedrooms, 07951 930477, holidaylettings.co.uk

Old St John’s Church, Gamblesby, Cumbria

The glow of peachy sandstone – a feature of villages and churchyards throughout the lower Eden valley – adds warmth to the contemporary interior of this grade II-listed gothic revival parish church. It is there in the arches that survive alongside pulpit, pews, vaulted ceiling and original leaded stained glass – although the mood-lightening effect of white walls and bright fabrics creates a space that’s soulful rather than solemn. You could head west towards to the Lake District from this traditional farming village, but with the North Pennine hills on your doorstep, you may not feel like bothering.
• From £600 a week, sleeps eight in 3/4 bedrooms, short breaks available, oldstjohnschurch.co.uk

St Curigs Church, Capel Curig, Gwynedd

If you don’t like sharing your breakfast table (and maps) with like-minded climbers and hill walkers, this lively, communal B&B in Snowdonia national park may not be for you. If you love dogs, chatter and live harp music, however (the owner’s daughter is an acclaimed Welsh harpist), this atmospheric church may hold you in its spell. Minimalist it is not: its grade II-listed features include vivid stained-glass windows and a magnificent 19th-century mosaic apse (half-domed ceiling). But while two of the five bedrooms have ornate four-poster beds, there are also two cheap-and-cheerful bunk rooms that have views over the Snowdon horseshoe. In short, this is down-to-earth hospitality in a heavenly setting.
• Doubles from £80 B&B, bunk room from £25pp B&B, 01690 720469, stcurigschurch.com

St Peter and St Paul, Albury Park, Surrey

Take one ancient church, remove its pews, fill it with beanbags, rugs and camping beds and what do you have? The latest in affordable glamping. “Champing” was launched last year by the Churches Conservation Trust and it invites you to sleep under the vast, vaulted ceilings of redundant churches. One of 10 (and counting) churches in its portfolio, this one on a private estate in the Surrey Hills area of outstanding natural beauty has a tiled floor by Augustus Pugin and striking stained-glass windows. (It’s also where Carrie said “I do” to Hamish in Four Weddings and a Funeral.)
• £55pp £B&B (children £20), May-September only, 020-7841 0436, champing.co.uk

The Chapel, Lettaford, North Bovey, Devon

This tiny granite building on the edge of Dartmoor is the sort of place you might retreat to in order to write your novel. There is room for two (plus dog) in the diminutive 19th-century dwelling, which was built as a schoolroom and chapel for an ancient farming hamlet. Twin beds (sorry, honeymooners), dining table and kitchen area are all in the same stove-warmed room. The bathroom is separate, although after a warm day exploring Dartmoor’s moody moorland and craggy peaks, many visitors prefer an invigorating dip in the adjacent stream.
• From £195 for four nights, 01628 825925, landmarktrust.org.uk

The Chapel, Thornham, north Norfolk

That special north Norfolk coastal light spills through the arched front windows of this red-brick former Methodist chapel. Now a family-friendly holiday let (there are tubs of toys and dressing-up boxes), it is smartly furnished: there are white walls, wooden floors, a wood-burner and modern kitchen. But its star attraction is the location: Thornham village, with its small fishing harbour, lies on the Norfolk Coast Path; sandy beaches, sea-view dining pubs and the salt marshes and sand dunes of the Holme nature reserve are all within easy walking distance.
• From £400 for three nights, sleeps six in three bedrooms (plus two on a sofabed), 01485 528930, thechapelthornham.co.uk

The Old Kirk, Dyke, Moray

The name may sound a wee bit dour, but this welcoming Highland B&B is anything but. Its owners fell in love with it at first sight and they pass the spirit of relaxed contentment onto their guests. The kirk’s exposed stone walls and enormous stained-glass window have been incorporated into a decor that’s homely and luxurious – one of the three guest bedrooms has a carved four-poster bed. Dyke is close to the sandy beaches of the Moray coast and cathedral city of Elgin, with all their dolphin-watching, distillery-touring and castle-bagging opportunities.
• Rooms from £80, 01309 641414, oldkirk.co.uk

Zennor Chapel Guesthouse, Cornwall

Formerly the Old Chapel Backpackers, Zennor’s converted Methodist chapel now offers something a bit more luxurious to walkers on the South West Coast Path. The floor-length arched windows are defining features of its five light, bright en suite rooms, which offer views of the surrounding hills or across wildflower meadows to the sea. The cafe that serves breakfast (£5 extra) does a mean cream tea; there’s also a dining pub in the village. Laid-back Zennor makes a peaceful base for exploring St Ives, five miles away.
• Doubles from £80, 01736 798307, zennorchapelguesthouse.com