BILL Bryson, best-selling author of books on travel, the English language and science, has placed Cartmel Priory amongst is favourite churches.

He has chosen his top 14 places of worship for the UK’s new church tourism website - ‘ExploreChurches’ www.explorechurches.org.

Giving his reasons for for choosing Cartmel Priory, Mr Bryson said: “I came across this ancient and memorable priory church by accident years ago when I was exploring the western Lake District by car and I was simply looking for somewhere to spend the night.

"Cartmel is a lovely village, so it and its church were both delightful surprises and I have returned several times since. The church dominates the village and is notable for its unusual diagonal belfry tower, which gives it an appealingly jaunty air.”

Also among his list of favourites are Durham Cathedral, The Italian Chapel in Orkney, St Michael the Archangel, Kirkby in Malhamdale, and London’s St Martin the Fields.

“It is impossible to overstate the importance of churches to this country," said Mr Bryson. "Nothing else in the built environment has the emotional and spiritual resonance, the architectural distinction, the ancient, reassuring solidity of a parish church.

"To me, they are the physical embodiment of all that is best and most enduring in Britain.”

A special page on ‘ExploreChurches’ featuring Mr Bryson’s 14 favourite churches goes live on Friday to mark the start of English Tourism Week. The page url will be www.nationalchurchestrust.org/explore-churches/bill-bryson