A new project is bringing valuable support to struggling – even closed – churches in rural Wales by opening them up as accommodation for touring cyclists.

The Church in Wales has joined forces with a businessman from West Wales to kick start the Welsh Government’s Year of Discovery tourism campaign.

The SpiritCymru project will see special sleeping pods installed in a number of remote churches and chapels for use by cycling tourists.

SpiritCymru will offer unique cycle tours through the beautiful countryside of Wales, with comfortable accommodation provided along the route within remote churches and chapels.

The scheme is the brainchild of James Lynch, who runs fforest, a sustainable holiday accommodation provider based in Cardigan, West Wales.

James Lynch said: “We know that there are some 800 chapels and churches in the rural and coastal communities of Wales – many of which are facing an uncertain future. SpiritCymru will celebrate and promote the heritage values of these beautiful buildings and provide a new sustainable model for continued community engagement and use.”

The head of Property Services at the Church in Wales, Alex Glanville, added: “This is an exciting opportunity to work in partnership with fforest to find a new, innovative purpose for churches that have been closed. These buildings remain special places which will find a new audience through SpiritCymru.”

Janet Redler, Chief Executive of Janet Redler Travel & Tourism, said: “We look forward to the introduction of this exciting scheme, which is set to breathe new life into many of Wales’s rural churches and chapels. These beautiful buildings are often located in spectacular surroundings, providing the perfect base for cycling tour accommodation, and we hope the project will help to provide a sustainable future for these important historical sites.”

The scheme has received financial backing from the Welsh Government’s Tourism Product Innovation Fund and bookings are expected to open in the autumn.

If you or your group would like to enjoy a tailor-made cycling tour of Wales, or indeed an adventure tour elsewhere in the UK and Ireland, please do contact our friendly team today.