JOURNALIST Stuart Flinders unveils the obscure and provocative story of Victorian Britain’s most eccentric religious sect in his upcoming book, A Very British Cult: Rogue Priests and the Abode of Love.

Flinders dives into the mysterious and hard to understand world of the Agapemone, a secluded sect led by the flamboyant Anglican priest Henry James Prince.

Known as the Abode of Love, the cult, based in Spaxton, on the Quantock Hills, was notorious for its unorthodox beliefs and practices. His teachings led to a controversial lifestyle of free love and sexual relations with his predominantly female followers.

The cult’s notoriety continued under his successor, John Hugh Smyth-Pigott, the so-called Clapton Messiah.

Somerset became infamous for its reclusive cult members who isolated themselves in anticipation of the world’s end. Despite media efforts to discredit the Agapemone, the sect's influence grew.

Stuart Flinders has been a journalist for nearly four decades, with his work involving BBC News, fronting Radio 4’s You and Yours for many years, and presenting live concerts on Radio 3.

The book is set to be released on November 7 and has been highlighted by The Guardian as a must-read for the year.

You can purchase a hardback copy here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/9781837731473