WELCOME TO THE ROMNEY MARSH
Or, as it has been known, the fifth continent! In 1837 its importance was recognised by the Ingoldsby Legends, which said “The world, according to the best geographers, is divided into Europe, Asia, Africa, America and Romney Marsh”.
This place is a world apart, where sheep graze in fields separated by a maze of ditches, the horizon is punctuated with church towers, and the open skies and sense of solitude make it a truly unique and special place. Today the Marsh is a peaceful place mostly devoted to farming, its quiet and flat lanes offering excellent walking and cycling, historic churches, a variety of special wildlife, and a distinctive coastline, from the shingle of Dungeness to the sandy expanse of Dymchurch.
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE SHEEP…
For over 700 years the region’s prosperity has traditionally relied on wool and meat. The Romney Marsh sheep were bred from European white face, long tailed sheep, crossed with Leicester sheep. The resulting animal produces superb meat and good quality wool, and they are well suited to the harsh conditions of the Marsh.
From the early 19th century onwards, the Romney Marsh sheep conquered the world, with exports to New Zealand, Australia, Patagonia, Canada, Brazil, Portugal, the Falkland Islands and the USA.
The value of the sheep, combined with the flat, empty landscape and numerous waterways created an ideal environment for smuggling, another source of income for Marsh residents.
Marsh smugglers were known as ‘Owlers’ allegedly because of the owl-like sounds they used to communicate in the dark.
THE LOOKERS
The lookers were hired to tend to the huge flocks of sheep across the wide expanse of the Marsh, living in temporary huts about 10ft square with a tiled roof, chimney, fireplace and a small window. Families would visit, particularly at lambing time, to bring supplies for the week.
365 lookers’ huts were recorded in 1870, but the practice was dying out by the 1930s. One remains at Cold Harbour Farm near Brookland and is a Grade II listed building.
A reconstruction can be seen in the Romney Warren Country Park: www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/romney-marsh-visitor-centre-and-nature-reserve
OF WRITERS AND ARTISTS
The area has long attracted writers and artists, with a distinguished roll call. EF Benson (Mapp and Lucia); Russell Thorndike (Dr. Syn); Rosemary Sutcliff; Jack Higgins; Noel Coward, Rumer Godden, Edith Nesbit and even Enid Blyton all wrote from or about Romney Marsh.
Many artists have studios at Dungeness, and avant-garde film maker and artist Derek Jarman’s yellow and black cottage is one of the favourite sights on the road down here.
In modern times, musician Ed Sheeran owns a converted railway carriage as a holiday home, and has recorded here. The Prodigy and Nicki Minaj have also been spotted!
