RICHARD Wheeler is expecting trouble from some readers of his new book, Oxfordshire’s Best Churches.

The West Oxfordshire District Council conservation officer said: “I know people will say ‘why didn’t you put my church in, when you included this one, which isn’t as good?’.

“There are more than 500 churches in Oxfordshire, and I had to make choices. It was incredibly difficult. There is never going to be an easy answer to which ones should have gone in.”

He has picked 51 to focus on in depth, describing not just the physical features and historical context but also the atmosphere and setting. Another 65 churches are covered in less detail.

It is an easy-to-use guide in alphabetical order, each entry illustrated with his sumptuous photographs.

Shining throughout the book is his passion for church art and architecture, stonework and woodwork, stained glass and wall paintings – and his wish to open people’s eyes so that they can share his enthusiasm.

“I loved churches from an early age,” he said. “My father used to drag me around churches in Herefordshire, where I grew up. Wherever I have lived, I have gone out to look at churches.

“Oxfordshire is tremendously rich and diverse, and has some of this country’s finest churches, but there are no books in print specifically on Oxfordshire churches, which is why I wrote the book.

“We are surrounded by these extraordinary buildings. In villages and towns, we all have our church. Almost because of how numerous they are, we tend to take them for granted and forget that they are incredibly worthy of exploration.

“Most churches have their surprises. There are things that you would miss if you don’t look closely.”

Mr Wheeler, who lives in Kings Sutton, near Banbury, is an occasional churchgoer, but his interest is primarily in the buildings.

“One of the things that makes Oxfordshire so diverse is the building materials and geology.

“The classical Cotswold limestone predominates in the west, allowing fine carving, and in Oxford itself. In the north you have rich ironstone, while down in the south you have chalk and flint.”

Can Mr Wheeler name his favourite Oxfordshire church?

“I would not be able to say that there was one, but for setting, I would say Easington, near Chalgrove. It is tiny, remarkably plain. It’s not a grand monument or spectacular, but to be in that building is to experience something that is difficult to put into words.

“Then there is Burford – a magnificently rich church architecturally and historically.

“There is a warren of interlinked spaces, staircases that rise into little lady chapels – it gives you the feel of the clutter of ages.

“Burford, Iffley and Dorchester Abbey are really celebrity churches, but there is a whole layer of other churches with wonderful things in – small churches like Widford, Shorthampton and Westwell.”

  • Oxfordshire’s Best Churches, by Richard Wheeler, is published by Fircone, priced £25.