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Midley
New Romney|
This is one of the main towns of the Marsh. It was once a flourishing port at the mouth of the River Rother, one of the Cinque Ports. Gradually it became more important than its neighbour Old Romney. However, decline set in after a great storm in 1287 diverted the Rother to Rye, and the harbour eventually silted up completely. Today the sea is a mile away.
There were once four churches, but only the 12th century St. Nicholas' has survived. Also in the town are a ruined priory, several historic pubs and the headquarters of the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway. For more information, see the New Romney Tour on this web site.
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St. Nicholas' ChurchPhotograph by Susan M. Johns |
Newchurch
Despite its name, this is one of the oldest settlements on the Marsh. It was originally on an island in the River Limen, as the Rother was once known. The first church here was built by the Saxons. The present church dates from the 13th and 14th centuries, but was restored in 1845. The tower leans slightly, as the soft marshland could not support its weight. During World War II there was an airfield nearby. The village has a restaurant, but no shop. The only pub, "The Black Bull", is now closed.
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The old school house, church and cottages
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Old Romney|
This is the site of the original port of Romney. The name was once thought a corruption of Roman-ney, but is now believed to derive from the Saxon "rumnea", meaning marsh water. The port gradually extended along the Rother towards the sea, forming the so-called Longport. The terms "Old" and "New" were used from about 1140 to distinguish the two ends. As the harbour began to silt up, activities centred at the seaward end. New Romney grew and Old Romney's importance diminished. By 1588 only the church and a few cottages remained.
The church is Norman with later additons. It has an unusual font of Purbeck marble and a Georgian minstrels' gallery. Restoration in the early 1960s was financed by the Disney company who made their film "Dr. Syn" here, considering this church more authentic than the one at Dymchurch where the story is actually set. In the 1940s, scenes from "The Loves of Joanna Godden" were also filmed here. Also to be seen in the village is the moat which surrounded the old manor house. There is one pub, "The Rose and Crown", and a café, but no shop.
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St. Clement's Church
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St. Mary in the Marsh|
Records indicate there was a small wooden Saxon church here. The oldest parts of the present church date from 1133, though the spire is 15th century. Like many Marsh churches it is built on a mound to to avoid flooding. Inside is a plaque commemorating Edith Nesbit, author of "The Railway Children", who lived at St. Mary's Bay and is buried in the churchyard. Her grave is marked by a wooden rail mounted on two posts. The village has one pub, "The Star Inn". Noel Coward lived in the converted stable next door while writing one of his first plays, "The Vortex". During World War II there was an airfield between St. Mary in the Marsh and New Romney.
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St. Mary's Church
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St. Mary's Bay|
This small seaside resort was formerly known as Jesson. There is much post-war housing here, including on the site of the holiday camp founded by the Duke of York (later King George VI) for boys from differing social backgrounds.
Edith Nesbit, author of "The Railway Children", lived in Jefferstone Lane with her second husband, Capt. John Tucker, from 1922 to 1924. She is buried at St. Mary in the Marsh. The short lane where she lived is now named Nesbit Road in her honour. Their house was two former RAF huts, the "Long Boat" and the "Jolly Boat", linked by a covered corridor. The land near their house was a military airfield which saw service during the Great War. Nearby is the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway station.
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Edith Nesbit's home
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Snargate|
Snargate takes its name from the "snare-gate", or sluice-gate, which was put up here to control the waterway from Appledore to Romney. The gate can still be seen between the church and "The Red Lion" pub. The church itself is 13th century and is dedicated to St. Dunstan. On a wall inside is a painting of a ship, allegedly indicating a safe hiding place for smugglers.
From 1817 to 1821 the Rector of Snargate was Richard Harris Barham. In 1819, while incapacitated with a broken leg, he took up writing. He went on to publish "The Ingoldsby Legends", in which he famously describes Romney Marsh as the"fifth quarter of the globe". Barham disliked the Marsh and chose to live at Warehorne.
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The Snare-Gate
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Snave
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