New Romney

The small, ancient town of New Romney in the county of Kent is found at the edge of a rich agricultural area, the Romney Marsh. New Romney originally lay by the Rhee Wall in the Rother estuary and was a port before it moved half a mile inland. There was tragedy here in 1287 when a severe storm hit, bringing shingle from Dungeness that blocked the outlet of the Rother; shingle and mud flooded the town and marked an end to the prosperity of the village. By 1550 only one church of the original five was left standing. Smugglers operated here and ghosts still do; a local legend tells of a young girl found hanged in the New Inn in the 1700’s and that her ghostly form can been seen walking the rooms and passageways.

Visitors today enjoy walking along the Royal Military Canal as it crosses the Marsh from Rye to Hythe, exploring the beaches of Dungeness Head to the south and St. Mary's Bay to the north and discovering the wonderful heritage and modern amenities of New Romney. The historic streets here have interesting shops, eateries and pubs alongside the old almshouses founded in 1610 and just adjacent, Plantagenet House and No 3 Old Stone Cottage constructed in the early 14^th century. With entertainment, fishing, sandy beach and wonderful outdoor spaces, New Romney has something for everyone.