The Churches of Romney Marsh – June 2018

Romney Marsh is renowned for its rural historic churches. There are fourteen scattered across the Marsh. These medieval churches were built by the lords of the manor on the Marsh to serve the small communities. Although the population of the area was never high, the churches were often on a large scale to reflect the importance of the parish or the importance of the patron. Nearly all of the churches were in existence by 1100, likely as wooden buildings, being built later in stone. Many of the churches have associations with smuggling and fascinating histories which we will hear about on our visit.

John Piper, who painted most of the churches, described Romney Marsh as “ninety-eight per cent atmosphere.” It has to been seen to understand fully what he meant.

The coach will depart from APMH at 8.30 am to arrive at The Rose and Crown, Old Romney by 10.15 for morning coffee before meeting our guide to set off on our tour of the churches.

We will visit two churches in the morning before returning to the pub for a ploughman’s lunch (lunch is included but please purchase your own drinks). After lunch, there will be a further visit to two more churches before tea at the same pub.

We anticipate leaving for home at 5.00 pm.