Romney Marsh *


Despite new roads, drainage and the plough this is still a wild area.
To us it's sheep, churches and wonderful skies - no need for photographic filters.

   

 

 The marsh churches are unusual, not least for the large number in a small area, leading to the suspicion that one of their primary uses was smuggling.

There is a link at the end of this page to a comprehensive site featuring Marsh churches.

 

 This is Brookland Church Spire - standing on the ground - beautiful with all it's shingles, but too heavy to put on top of the church which is built on marsh!


The church is hidden behind the blossom tree.




* When we think about and talk about the area it's ALL Romney Marsh but on a map it's divided in to Romney Marsh in the east, Walland Marsh in the centre and Guldeford Marsh in the west with Denge Marsh to the south.

 

 

 A lot of the marsh is being drained and cultivated for this yellow oil seed crop.

 Fortunately there is still much open grazing land for the sheep and wildlife.

   
 The white blackthorn blossom didn't last very long this year due to a lack of rain! but the marsh lanes are very beautiful when it's all out.

 

This is one of many oast houses (they were used for drying hops for beer) that has been converted to a private dwelling. The tree is a Red May.

 

   
The church at Old Romney is in the middle of the marsh - 800 years old - and the yew tree next to it is nearly the same age!  Inside there is only one (modern) stained glass window - but on the floor is the tomb of a knight from King Richard the Lionheart's Crusades. No one knows why the upturned sword has such a fancy pattern with it. Answers on a card please!

 

 
This is part of the interior of the church showing the massive roof structure and most unusually the enclosed pews are painted pink with black edging. Normally they are plain wood.

  The photo - which includes Joan - was taken from a balcony which was restored a few years ago by the Rank Organisation . They used the church and the village for a remake of the film Dr Syn *. They donated a large sum of money to help with restoration.  

 Dr Syn* This is the mythical tale of a clergyman who was secretly the smugglers leader "The Scarecrow".

The marshes and the small villages were dominated by smugglers for many years - there are tales of pitched battles between smugglers and the revenue officers in most towns. Some reports speak of 200 smugglers regularly using an inn near here - the 3 revenue men had a day off when they knew they were coming!!

 
 After all that history the only thing we saw was a lamb trying to get in the church - and two German tourists who did make it inside but didn't pose for photos <g>.

All photographs copyright of Derek & Joan Briggs

You can contact us 
At the far side of Romney Marsh (from us!) is Dungeness - famous for it's lighthouse - Nuclear power station - Fish - 
RSPB Reserve - and The Pilot Inn.  A fascinatingly different world.

David Ovenden's Wonderful Pages of information and links all relating to the Romney area. Don't miss them!.

New is Jules Dr Syn site

  Richard Lloyd-Hughes Paintings - which include some from 

Romney Marsh

Andy Leaning has a page about Lydd and the Romney Marsh

Derek & Joan's Home Page

Always happy to add links to your page - just let me know where it is.

Webmaster Derek Briggs


All rights reserved 1997- 2003