For centuries, as well as being places of worship and refuge, churches have provided permanent and reliable signposts for passing travellers and students of history. In making his selection of the 1000 churches throughout England, Scotland and Wales that he considers most worth visiting, David N. Durant has concentrated on the little-known and often surprising treasures to be found inside town and village churches and chapels. Here are details of where you can discover maiden garlands, the seven Norman Tournai marble fonts, paintings by Rubens, Van Dyck and Stanley Spencer, as well as the most interesting tombs and monuments, furniture and wall paintings, hatchments, helms and armour. These churches are a unique part of our heritage and deserve to be visited and explored, and preserved for future generations.