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St Thomas Becket
FAIRFIELD
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St Thomas Becket is the most iconic of all the churches on Romney Marsh. The tiny building that dates back to the late 12th century sits isolated in a field cut through with dykes and grazed by sheep; the houses of the original medieval inhabitants of Fairfield have long since disappeared. Constructed with a wooden frame and walls of wattle and daub, the church was restored in the 18th century when the walls were replaced with bricks.
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Inside the church is a pristine 18th century interior with a white-painted triple-decker pulpit, box pews, and oval text boards.
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The church at Fairfield is undoubtedly one of Romney Marsh's most iconic and it has inspired
generations of artists, photographers and writers.
The artist John Piper took the white panelling and black details of the furnishings as Fairfield as inspiration when designing the prayer room of Nuffield College at Oxford.
The church has also featured in films based on Charles Dickens' book Great Expectations - one by the BBC starring David Suchet and Ray Winstone, and another by Number 9 Films starring Helena Bonham Carter and Ralph Fiennes.
A.S. Byatt's 2009 The Children's Book, which is loosely based upon the life of children's writer E. Nesbit, has a beautiful description of the church. It was shortlisted for the 2009 Man Booker Prize.
Access
The church is locked. A key hangs on the right-hand gatepost of the driveway to Becket House - the house nearest to the church in the Appledore direction.
Please remember to lock the church and return the key after your visit.
Churchwarden Mrs Maureen Akers, 01797 344628. Reverend Shuna Body, 01797 343977. Further information about the local church community may be found on the website of the Romney Marsh Benefice.
Postcode: TN29 9RZ
The monks of Christ Church Canterbury drained this part of the marsh, hence the dedication.
This is the smallest complete church in the Diocese. Inside, the Georgian fittings recall the days of powdered wigs and frock-coats of the 1800s.
The nave is off-centre to the chancel. This may may have been to correctly reorient the church to the East.
In 1912 the whole church was in danger of collapse. Most of the building, including the porch and turret, was taken down and faithfully rebuilt.
The mahogany pulpit is one of the few surviving examples of the triple-decker variety and the only such example on the marsh.
The dampness of the surrounding land probably contributed to the original building's decay. It stands on an artificial mound, raised above the winter flood levels.
The plaster ceiling was never replaced so the roof timbers can be seen - some are over 700 years old.
The population of Fairfield has always been small and scattered. There is no evidence of a lost village here.
The restoration architect was William Douglas Caroe who was a follower of the Arts & Crafts movement.
During the 1912-13 reconstruction, many materials had to be ferried across by boat. Thankfully a causeway was installed.
Rudyard Kipling’s ‘fairy’ poem “Brookland Road” famously contains the lines: Fairfield Church is water-bound From autumn to the spring.
Fairfield is possibly the most isolated church in Kent. A field must be crossed for access.
Find out more
Discover more about St Thomas Becket’s Church at Fairfield with our new self-guided tour. Scan the QR code on your mobile device or click the tour button to view online.
Listen online
An audio-only version of the tour is also available to listen to here.
The Marsh Mosaics Art Trail - Downloadable Handouts
