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, England’s largest annual festival of history and culture, which runs from Friday 12 to Sunday 21 September 2025. During this nationwide event, which is coordinated by the National Trust, thousands of historic sites, buildings, gardens and cultural spaces will open their doors for free.

What’s On

• CLICK FOR QUICK SUMMARY BY DATE OR SEE BELOW

  Note full details are available on the Heritage Open Days site (links below).

  12-21 Sept:

  • SNAVE - collect leaflets & see display of photos DAYTIME

  • IVYCHURCH - tower open (booking required) 2PM

  12 Sept

  • DYMCHURCH - short tours 10AM-3PM

  13 Sept:

  • ST. MARY-IN-THE-MARSH - short tour 3PM

  • IVYCHURCH - Parvis Chamber open 10AM-6PM

  • BROOKLAND - tower open 5PM-6:30PM

  • Kent Churches Ride & Stride - further churches open DAYTIME

  14 Sept:

  • SNAVE - RMHCT’s annual Thanksgiving service 3PM

  15 Sept

  • ST. MARY-IN-THE-MARSH - short tour 12PM

  • NEW ROMNEY - volunteer stewards on-hand 2-4PM

  16 Sept:

  • NEW ROMNEY - Volunteer stewards on-hand 2-4PM

  17 Sept:

  • NEW ROMNEY - history talk (booking required) 10:30AM & volunteer stewards on-hand 2-4PM

  • LYDD - tower open 10AM-1PM

  18 Sept:

  • NEW ROMNEY - Mosaics talk (booking required) 11:30AM & craft drop-in 10:30AM-12:30PM

  19 Sept:

  • DYMCHURCH - short tours 10AM-3PM

  20 Sept:

  • FAIRFIELD - short tours 10:30AM-12PM & 2PM-3:30PM

BROOKLAND, St. Augustine

Bell tower open 13/09 5pm-6:30pm

It is impossible to miss the enormous wooden bell tower of Brookland church. Here is an opportunity to see inside this unusual structure, to view the bells and the beautiful wooden frame, which was once exposed to the elements.

DYMCHURCH, St. Peter & St. Paul

Short tours available 12/09 & 19/09 10AM-3PM

This ancient church is a time-capsule of over 900 years of history, with Norman decorative features aplenty and associations to Russell Thorndike's fictional smuggler Dr. Syn The Scarecrow. Church volunteers will be available to show visitors around.

FAIRFIELD, St. Thomas Becket

Short tours 20/09 10:30AM-12PM & 2PM-3:30PM

This iconic church is surrounded by fields and waterways. Interesting features include ancient roof beams and pristine white fittings. The building has inspired numerous cultural figures. A local volunteer will be available to show visitors around.

IVYCHURCH, St. George’s

Tower / Clock Room 12/9 to 21/9 at 2PM (to book email admin@romneymarshchurches.org.uk)

Parvis Chamber open 13/09 DAYTIME (booking not required)

The enormous church of St. George's can be seen for miles. Here is a rare opportunity to see the Tower, Clock Room and Parvis Chamber. Volunteers will be on-hand to guide you to features of interest, including the historic rural life collection. Additionally, refreshments are served for Kent Ride & Stride on 13th September during the daytime.

LYDD, All Saints’

Tower open 17/09 10AM-1PM

Volunteer stewards on-hand 17/09 10AM-5PM

All Saints' is the "Cathedral of the Marsh". The longest Parish Church in Kent, it has hundreds of interesting features. This is a rare opportunity to see the spectacular views from the tower. Volunteers will guide you to further highlights.

NEW ROMNEY, St Nicholas’

History talk 17/09 10:30AM (to book email admin@romneymarshchurches.org.uk)

Marsh Mosaics & New Romney Obelisk talk 18/09 11:30AM (to book email admin@romneymarshchurches.org.uk)

Drop-in craft 18/09 10:30AM-12:30PM (booking not required)

Volunteer stewards on-site 15/09 to 17/09 2PM-4PM

Once a harbour church, St. Nicholas' became land-locked following great storms. Volunteers will guide you to many features of interest. There is a free craft drop-in (mosaics) and two short talks are also available (subject to sufficient numbers).

ST. MARY-IN-THE-MARSH, St. Mary

Short tours 13/09 3PM & 15/09 12PM

This is one of Kent's most picturesque churches and the resting place of writer E. Nesbit, author of The Railway Children. The many interesting features include a medieval scratch dial. Church volunteers will be available to show visitors around.

SNAVE, St. Augustine’s 

Leaflets, free guide booklets and photo display 12/09 to 21/09 DAYTIME

RMHCT’s Thanksgiving Service 14/09 3PM - find out more

St. Augustine's Church is now entirely maintained by the Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust. Visit to collect leaflets showing church locations and guide booklets. Plus a photo display showing features to see and information about what's on.