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Church in Wales
UK News

'Unadventurous' Brits are missing out on churches and other local treasures, poll suggests

The National Churches Trust (NCT) encouraged visitors to explore their local Christian places of worship after the poll concluded one in ten people cannot name a single local landmark or tourist attraction - religious or secular.

Tourism manager at the organisation, Sarah Crossland told Premier: "There is history, social history and stories... caught up in those buildings, built into them over generations and hundreds of years.

"So, there are all sorts of things to explore."

Research conducted by Opinium found one-in-eight people would find it difficult to keep themselves entertained during a weekend break spent in their local area.

Meanwhile, one in eight admitted to being more familiar with fictional settings in their favourite soap operas such as Coronation Street or EastEnders.

Referring to local chapels and churches, Sarah Crossland from the NCT continued: "They can really show you objects, art, architecture and stories in the proper context, in the area where they're meant to be.

"They've got sculptures and monuments that are of people who are local to you and of stories that are local to you."

The study, which was commissioned by Westons Cider, ranked Westminster Cathedral as the fifth most-visited landmark in the country, with 44 per cent of respondents saying they had been to the London landmark.

The beverage firm commented: "Despite this unadventurous streak on the local front, when it comes to European landmarks, it seems that well-travelled Brits are often more familiar with European attractions than their UK counterparts, blaming a lack of time (18 per cent) and lack of interest (25 per cent) for failing to explore nearer to home."

Click here to listen to Premier's Tola Mbakwe speaking with Sarah Crossland at the National Churches Trust:

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