Harty, Kent

Harty is a small hamlet on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, notable for its rich history and rural charm. Archaeological finds reveal human activity dating back to the late Bronze Age, including a hoard of axes and bronze casting tools. Roman occupation is also evident, with discoveries suggesting the presence of a villa. During the Middle Ages, extensive salt workings were carried out here, leaving behind distinctive salt mounds that remain visible today.

The hamlet features several listed buildings, including the 16th-century Park Farmhouse and the Ferry Inn, a Grade II listed public house linked historically to the local ferry service. The Church of St Thomas the Apostle, a Grade II* listed building, dates from the late 11th or early 12th century. It retains a unique character, lacking electricity and running water, with lighting provided by paraffin lamps.

Historically, Harty was connected to the mainland by a ferry crossing the Swale to Oare. The ferry rights have long been held by the landlord of the Ferry Inn. Although the ferry ceased operation around the mid-20th century, remnants of the old jetty survive on the Oare Marshes. A bridge built during World War I briefly replaced the ferry, but no permanent crossing exists today.

Harty lies close to the Swale National Nature Reserve, with public footpaths offering scenic walks around the reserve’s perimeter. The hamlet’s landscape reflects its tidal island past, shaped by medieval floods and silting that altered its connection to the mainland over centuries.