Snargate, Kent

Snargate is a small village in Kent, situated four miles west of New Romney along the historic route of the Rhee Wall, an old watercourse once managed by sluice gates that gave the village its name. The village is home to St Dunstan Church, dating back to around 1200, notable for its historical association with smuggling in the area.

The village has literary connections through Richard Barham, also known as Thomas Ingoldsby, who served as a cleric in Snargate from 1813 to 1824. During his time here, he wrote his first novel, Baldwin, and began his second, My Cousin Nicholas. Snargate was also the childhood home of Harold Gilman, a British Impressionist artist linked to the Camden Town Group, who lived at the Rectory until his early thirties.

A key landmark in Snargate is The Red Lion pub, originating from the early 16th century. This Grade II listed building retains much of its historic character, including an antique marble bar top and bare wooden floors. The pub serves draught beers from independent Kentish brewers directly from the cask and is decorated with World War II memorabilia. It has won several awards and is recognised on the Campaign for Real Ale’s National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors.