News & Events Archive
Discover the Romney Marsh Churches This Spring
Spring is one of the most beautiful times to explore the Romney Marsh. As the landscape comes alive with fresh colour and longer, brighter days, our historic churches offer the perfect places to pause, reflect, and discover centuries of history and character.
Whether you’re planning a day trip, a weekend break, or simply passing through, a visit to the Romney Marsh churches is a wonderful way to experience the unique charm of this special corner of Kent.
£38,000 Window Restoration Completed at St Peter & St Paul, Newchurch
Essential conservation work to a south aisle window at St Peter & St Paul, Newchurch was completed at the end of November 2025, funded by the Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust at a cost of £38,000. The stone window frame had become badly cracked and increasingly unsafe. Without intervention, the deterioration would have worsened, posing risks both to visitors and to the historic fabric of the building.
Save the dates!
We are pleased to share advance notice of our key annual events. Full details and booking information will be available shortly, but we hope members and supporters will mark the dates in their diaries now.
A major stonework restoration project completed at Ivychurch
The Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust has supported a major stonework restoration project at St George’s Church, Ivychurch, one of the largest and most significant conservation initiatives it has funded in recent years.
Government Announces New Places of Worship Fund as VAT Relief Ends
In January 2026, the UK Government announced changes to funding arrangements for places of worship that have implications for the care and conservation of historic church buildings across England.
The existing Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, which had operated for more than 20 years and allowed churches to reclaim VAT on qualifying repair and maintenance work, will come to an end on 31 March 2026.
2025 Recap - A busy year for The Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust
2025 has been another full and successful year for the Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust, with a wide programme of events, visits and community activities celebrating and supporting the historic churches of the Romney Marsh, as well as projects to maintain and restore the buildings themselves.
Discover the Magic of the Romney Marsh Churches This Christmas
As the year turns and winter light lies soft over the quiet Romney Marsh fields, Romney Marsh’s medieval churches take on an especially atmospheric charm. From ancient stone arches dusted with frost, to candlelit services and robins singing in peaceful churchyards, visiting these historic buildings during the Christmas season is a wonderfully reflective and festive experience.
All Saints’, Lydd – the Inspiration for Our 2025 Christmas Card
We’re delighted to announce that the image featured on this year’s Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust Christmas card is All Saints Church, Lydd, beautifully captured in a new watercolour painting by the Trust’s President, John Doyle MBE PPRWS.
Survey shows why local Trusts matter more than ever
A survey by the National Churches Trust (NCT), reported in The Church Times and other media recently, has sounded a stark warning for the future of Britain’s places of worship. Around five per cent of the churches that responded said they were “definitely” or “probably” facing closure within the next five years - a figure that could translate into hundreds of lost buildings across the country.
Christmas events in the Romney Marsh churches
Christmas makes for a particularly atmospheric time to visit the medieval churches on Romney Marsh.
Church events and services are coordinated by the volunteers and clergy who oversee each individual church (the PCCs). We will endeavour to add Christmas events and services to this page as we receive details.
Special events in the Romney Marsh Churches for Heritage Open Days
Over half of the Romney Marsh Historic Churches are participating in Heritage Open Days 2025, which runs from Friday 12 to Sunday 21 September 2025.
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.
Church & Craft Workshops - 23rd August at St. Nicholas’ Church, New Romney
Discover, create and explore! Unleash your creativity with our Church & Craft Workshops, held in the beautiful setting of St. Nicholas’ Church, New Romney.
Choose from four fun activities, suitable for all skill levels, guided by expert artists.
Discount available for RMHCT Members.
(Rescheduled from St. George’s, Ivychurch on Saturday 5th April).
Members’ Tour 2025
Our annual tour of the churches, for members of the Trust, will take place on Saturday 6th September 2025, hosted by Joan Campbell. We will be visiting the churches at Dymchurch, Burmarsh and Newchurch. This tour is now fully subscribed.
Kent Churches Ride & Stride
The Friends of Kent Churches Sponsored Ride & Stride takes place on the second
Saturday in September each year. This year it will take place on Saturday 13th September 2025.
Ride & Stride Day is an opportunity to raise money for Kent’s churches and chapels by
cycling or walking or being a welcomer in a church or chapel. Money raised is shared equally between the church or chapel nominated by the participant and the Friends of Kent Churches which awards grants to Kent’s churches and chapels to help preserve them.
Snave Thanksgiving service
Our annual Thanksgiving service is on Sunday 14th September 2025 at St. Augustine’s Church, Snave. All are welcome
Members and supporters gather for our 2025 AGM and Members’ Lunch
Sir Michael Palin and his son William were the guest speakers for our 2025 AGM, which took place at St. Augustine’s in Brookland on the afternoon of Saturday 10th May 2025.
250 people filled the medieval church, with 75 also joining for the Members’ Lunch at Brookland Village Hall.
Thank you to all who came along to celebrate the achievements of the Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust.
Working with Primary Schools
The Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust is delighted to announce a new Church & Craft initiative in partnership with Teach Me Courses and local primary schools, which is helping to engage the next generation with the medieval churches of Romney Marsh.
It is thanks to the support of our members, donors and volunteers that such projects are possible.
JAM on the Marsh returns to the Romney Marsh churches, 3rd-13th July 2025
From 3-13th July 2025, JAM on the Marsh returns to Romney Marsh for its 12th festival. The festival brings world-class talent to the medieval churches of Romney Marsh and other locations across the area. This year’s programme features an array of events involving international and local artists, plus opportunities to get involved.
AGM & Members’ Lunch 2025
The Trust’s Annual General Meeting was held on Saturday 10th May 2025 at St. Augustine’s Church, Brookland, at 2:30pm.
The Members’ Lunch was held at 12:30pm at Brookland Village Hall and was full booked.
Centenary of the passing of E. Nesbit, buried at St. Mary-in-the-Marsh
2024 marked the centenary of the death of English writer E. Nesbit, who is buried at St. Mary-the-Virgin’s Church at St. Mary-in-the-Marsh.
Edith Nesbit’s work reinvented storytelling for children, with highly-imaginative plot lines, adventures and loveable characters.