A Church Trail is a question sheet that guides children and accompanying adults around a church and encourages them to engage with the architecture, history and furnishings. The Arts Society members voluntarily give their time to research and write the questions and corresponding answer sheets. The aim is to encourage 8-12 year olds and their families to learn about the building and inspire them to visit and enjoy other churches.

Church trails are researched, written and designed in a child friendly format. They are produced on two-sided A4 sheets to keep the cost of reproduction to a minimum. Once a trail has been tested, our members provide a CD and hard copy of the questions and answers to the church.

Dorset County was one of the first Societies to produce a Church Trail and have now completed three - St Mary's Puddletown, St Mary the Virgin Piddlehinton, All Saints Piddletrenthide, St. George's Church, Fordington.

At present a small team have just completed the Children's Church Trail at St Mary's Church Puddletown which is well worth a visit.  It has connections with the Tolpuddle Martyrs. Those visiting could combine this with a visit to the small museum for the Tolpuddle Martyrs in the village.

The latest news is that the team have just begun preparing a Trail of Discovery, as they are now called, at St Mary's Church, Charminster.  If you would like to do one of a Church near you please contact  John Pearson johnjpearson2019@gmail.com

The picture shows Helen Wagstaffe at St Andrew's Church Fordington pointing out the crest on the stone pulpit showing the date 1592 ER (Elizabeth I) and then 34 (34th year of her reign).  They have discovered many other interesting facts about this church.