Special events in the Romney Marsh Churches for Heritage Open Days 2026
Eight of the Romney Marsh Historic Churches are participating in Heritage Open Days 2026, England’s largest annual festival of history and culture, which runs from Friday 11 to Sunday 20 September 2026. 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
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Note full details are available on the Heritage Open Days site (links below).
11–20 Sept:
SNAVE - collect guidebooklets & see display of photos DAYTIME
FAIRFIELD - collect guidebooklets & self-guided tour materials DAYTIME
IVYCHURCH - tower open (booking required) 2PM & Shepherd’s Hut Artwork Display 10AM-3PM
NEWCHURCH - Stories of Newchurch Folk exhibition & self-guided tour DAILY 10AM-5PM (From 11AM ON SUN 13 SEPT)
12 Sept:
LYDD - volunteer stewards & refreshments 10AM-5PM & tower open (weather permitting) 12PM-4PM
IVYCHURCH - Parvis Chamber open 10AM-6PM
Kent Churches Ride & Stride - further churches open DAYTIME
13 Sept:
SNAVE - RMHCT’s Annual Service 3PM
14–15 Sept:
NEW ROMNEY - volunteer stewards on-hand 2PM-4PM
16 Sept:
LYDD - Romney Sheep Craft Workshops (booking required) 3:30PM-7PM
NEW ROMNEY - volunteer stewards on-hand 2PM-4PM
17 Sept:
NEW ROMNEY - Short History Talk & Look Around (booking required) 11AM-12PM, volunteer stewards on-hand 2PM-4PM & Romney Sheep Craft Workshops (booking required) 3:30PM-7PM
18 Sept:
DYMCHURCH - short tours, drop in 10AM-3PM
NEW ROMNEY - volunteer stewards on-hand 2PM-4PM
19 Sept:
DYMCHURCH - short tours, drop in 10AM-3PM
NEW ROMNEY - volunteer stewards on-hand 2PM-4PM
BROOKLAND - Wooden Tower open (booking required) 3PM-4PM
20 Sept:
NEW ROMNEY - volunteer stewards on-hand 2PM-4PM
DYMCHURCH - short tours, drop in 10AM-3PM
BROOKLAND, St. Augustine
Bell tower open 19/09 3pm-4pm
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.
If you wish to visit please register interest by email to admin@romneymarshchurches.org.uk by 12th September 2026
DYMCHURCH, St. Peter & St. Paul
Short tours available 18/09, 19/09 & 20/09 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.
Drop-in - church volunteers will be available to show visitors around.
FAIRFIELD, St. Thomas Becket
Self-guided materials available in the church throughout the Heritage Open Days period
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.
Volunteers may be present to lead tours at certain times during the festival (details tba) - if you would like to be kept informed of this, please join the Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust mailing list (form at the bottom of this page) or email admin@romneymarshchurches.org.uk
IVYCHURCH, St. George’s
Tower & Clock Room 11/09 to 20/9 at 2PM (to book email admin@romneymarshchurches.org.uk)
Parvis Chamber open 12/09 DAYTIME (booking not required)
A Shepherd's Hut in the churchyard will have artwork on display, curated by Art in Romney Marsh, throughout the Heritage Open Days period during the 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. A mobile Shepherd's Hut in the churchyard will have artwork on display, curated by Art in Romney Marsh throughout the festival. Additionally, refreshments are served for Kent Ride & Stride on 12th September during the daytime.
LYDD, All Saints’
Tower open 12/09 12PM-4PM (Weather permitting)
Free craft workshops 16/09 3:30pm-7pm - inspired by the iconic Romney Sheep!
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.
On 16th September 3:30pm-7pm: Free short craft workshops throughout the day, inspired by the iconic Romney Sheep - which was bred to survive the harsh conditions on Romney Marsh and exported all over the world. Hosted by local artists from Teach Me Courses, you can help decorate a public artwork - a Romney Sheep sculpture that eventually will form part of "The Romney Flock" local sculpture trail. Plus create your own small memento to take home. Suitable for all abilities. Funded by Arts Council England.
Craft workshop bookings - see https://teachmecourses.co.uk/
NEWCHURCH, St. Peter & St. Paul
Free exhibition throughout the Heritage Open Days Festival open daily 10am-5pm, 11am-5pm on Sunday 13th.
12/09 Volunteers serving refreshments for Ride & Stride
This church has a distinctive leaning tower and a fine Jacobean pulpit, the oldest on the Marsh. The great size of the building reflects the wealth of its patron, the Archbishop of Canterbury - there is much to see inside.
Especially for Heritage Open Days, volunteers have created an exhibition about the residents of Newchurch from the 18th to 20th centuries. Other history displays and collections can also be viewed.
On 12th September volunteers will be present serving refreshments from 10:30am. Lunches, cakes and hot drinks will be served until 6pm subject to availability.
NEW ROMNEY, St Nicholas’
History talk 17/09 11:00AM subject to sufficient numbers (to book email admin@romneymarshchurches.org.uk)
Free craft workshops 17/09 3:30pm-7pm - inspired by the iconic Romney Sheep!
Volunteer stewards on-site 14/09 to 20/09 2PM-4PM
Once a harbour church, St. Nicholas' became land-locked following great storms. Volunteers will guide you to many features of interest.
A short talk about the church and its history, subject to sufficient numbers - please express interest to admin@romneymarshchurches.org.uk by 7th September.
On 17th September 3:30pm-7pm: Free short craft workshops throughout the day, inspired by the iconic Romney Sheep - which was bred to survive the harsh conditions on Romney Marsh and exported all over the world. Hosted by local artists from Teach Me Courses, you can help decorate a public artwork - a Romney Sheep sculpture that eventually will form part of "The Romney Flock" local sculpture trail. Plus create your own small memento to take home. Suitable for all abilities. Funded by Arts Council England.
Craft workshop bookings - see https://teachmecourses.co.uk/
SNAVE, St. Augustine’s
Leaflets, free guide booklets and photo display 11/09 to 20/09 DAYTIME
RMHCT’s Thanksgiving Service 13/09 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.
An annual thanksgiving service takes place here every year and in 2026 it occurs during Heritage Open Days on Sunday 13 Sept at 3pm - all are welcome.