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As Remembrance Sunday events approach on 8 November, the medieval churches of Romney Marsh offer places for reflection, remembrance and connection with the past. From wartime bombing and military service to memorials honouring those who lost their lives, these historic buildings preserve important stories of sacrifice, resilience and community. Through the generosity of its members, donors and volunteers, the Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust helps protect these irreplaceable buildings, ensuring that their history and the memories they hold are preserved for future generations.
Recent storms across the UK have provided a timely reminder of the destructive power of the elements. For the medieval churches of Romney Marsh, exposed to centuries of wind, rain, flooding and shifting ground, the challenges of maintaining these remarkable buildings are ongoing. The churches survive today thanks to the generous support of our members, donors and volunteers.
The Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust’s 2026 Christmas cards celebrate two remarkable churches and the treasures within them. By buying a pack, you can share something of the Marsh’s beauty with friends and family while helping the Trust support the care and preservation of these much-loved buildings.
The annual Day of Syn festival in Dymchurch celebrates one of Romney Marsh’s most famous fictional characters: Dr Syn, the respectable vicar of Dymchurch who, by night, becomes the mysterious “Scarecrow” - leader of a band of smugglers operating across the Marsh.
Created by author Russell Thorndike, Dr Syn may be fictional, but the world he inhabits has very real roots. For centuries, smuggling was woven into the life, landscape and folklore of Romney Marsh, and some of its medieval churches have fascinating connections to this illicit trade.
Rising above the flat landscape, Romney Marsh’s church towers have helped generations find their bearings, both on land and out at sea. Many people still use these familiar landmarks to navigate the winding Marsh roads. Their enduring presence owes much to the communities who care for them and to the Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust, which helps fund the costly specialist repairs needed to preserve these ancient buildings.
This September, Heritage Open Days offers a rare opportunity to climb two of these towers - at All Saints’, Lydd and St. George’s, Ivychurch - and discover the landscape from above.
Over half of the Romney Marsh Historic Churches are participating in Heritage Open Days 2026, which runs from Friday 11 to Sunday 20 September 2026.
With tours, talks and towers open, all for free, it’s the perfect time to visit these globally-important architectural wonders on Romney Marsh in Kent.
Special events are happening every day during the festival period, as part of England’s largest festival of history and culture.
Long before England had a Royal Navy, the Cinque Ports defended the realm, bringing wealth and influence to Romney Marsh. That prosperity is still visible today in the magnificent churches that dominate the landscape. Following the recent Cinque Ports Conference at the Maison Dieu in Dover, we explore the remarkable links between the medieval ports and the churches they helped create - and why preserving this unique heritage matters more than ever.
This scenic walk links the magnificent churches of St. Nicholas in New Romney and St. Mary the Virgin in St-Mary-in-the-Marsh, taking you through the peaceful grazing marshes that define Romney Marsh. Along the way, discover a landscape shaped by the sea, rich in wildlife, history and wartime heritage, before arriving at one of the Marsh's most picturesque villages and its welcoming historic inn.
As outlined in the 2025 Annual Report and at the 2026 AGM, the Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust has announced that membership fees for new members will increase from 1 January 2027. All existing members will continue to pay their current membership rate - it is therefore a good time to join the Trust, renew memberships, or upgrade to Life Membership.
The Trust’s Annual General Meeting was held on Saturday 16th May 2026 at St. Peter & St. Paul’s Church, Newchurch, with guest speaker Sir Timothy Clifford.