Romney Marsh, Kent

Romney Marsh is a vast, low-lying wetland spanning parts of Kent and East Sussex, covering around 100 square miles. Its landscape is characterised by flat expanses, numerous waterways, and areas lying below sea level, shaped over centuries by both natural processes and human reclamation efforts. The Rhee Wall, a medieval waterway built in the 13th century, remains a prominent feature, originally designed to flush silt from New Romney’s harbour.

Historically, Romney Marsh was a hotspot for smuggling between the 17th and 19th centuries, aided by its isolated and watery terrain. The area’s ports, once part of the Cinque Ports confederation, have long since been cut off from the sea due to shingle deposition and land reclamation. The Royal Military Canal, constructed during the Napoleonic Wars, and nearby Martello towers reflect the Marsh’s strategic military importance.

Sheep farming has been integral to Romney Marsh for over 700 years, with the Romney Marsh sheep breed prized for its adaptability to wet conditions and quality wool. Lookers’ huts, small shelters used by shepherds in the 18th and 19th centuries, are scattered remnants of this pastoral heritage.

The Marsh also holds historical military significance, with World War II pillboxes and training grounds still visible. Early 20th-century sound mirrors near Greatstone were experimental acoustic devices intended to detect incoming aircraft before radar technology took over.

For walkers, the Saxon Shore Way skirts the northern edge of the Marsh, tracing the ancient coastline. The Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway, a unique miniature railway, runs along the coast, offering a distinctive way to explore the area’s rich history and landscape.