Old Romney, Kent

Old Romney is a historic village in Kent, situated two miles inland from New Romney on what was once an island in the former estuary of the River Rother. Known in Roman times as Vetus Rumellenum, it was the original site of the Romney settlement before New Romney was established by the 11th century.

The village’s significance declined after the port moved towards the sea, leaving Old Romney largely untouched by the 1600s except for the parish of St Clement. This parish marks the beginnings of Romney Marsh’s early settlement and retains much of its ancient character.

St Clement’s Church stands as one of Kent’s oldest churches, originally built in the 12th century with possible origins dating back to the 8th century. Its Georgian minstrels’ gallery and distinctive rose pink box pews were notably featured in the 1962 film The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh, with the pews repainted for the production by Disney and the Rank Film Organisation.

Among notable figures connected to Old Romney are Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, who owned Agney Court in the parish, and Derek Jarman, the film-maker and AIDS activist, who is buried in the churchyard of St Clement’s.