Churches are all around us. Their steeples remain landmarks in our towns, villages and cities, even as their influence and authority has waned. They contain art and architectural wonders, and might be regarded as one huge gallery shattered and scattered, like a handful of jewels, across these isles. A map of churches is a treasure map. Churches hold within them Britain's history, national and personal. That smell they have, is it just damp and dust? Or is it faith and time? From The Holy Trinity in Norfolk - home to the 275-year-old wax effigy of Sarah Hare - to Somerset, and Britain's smallest Parish church; from the holy wells of Wales to Southwark cathedral and its resident moggy - Doorkins Magnificat, Steeple Chasing takes the reader around Britain by spire, and gives a unique perspective on the country and its people: a travel book . . . with bells on.