Design, Emily Martin
Salt Audio Trail
We invite you to explore St Mary in the Marsh, Ivychurch and Old Romney accompanied by our audio trail. Enjoy this unique landscape through the eyes of those who have described, painted, filmed, written poetry and explored Romney Marsh with such detail.
The trail can be short ambles around the churchyards to full scale rambles across the marsh. Drive, cycle or walk, you choose.
For optimum listening experience, download the audio and find some headphones before you set off, so it’s ready for you to enjoy when you arrive at your destination.
St Mary in the Marsh
St Mary’s church is immediately associated with Edith Nesbit who is buried here. There is the original memorial to her, made by her husband, inside the church and a wooden replica in the churchyard. E Nesbit is best known for writing The Railway Children but actually supported herself and her family through her work, publishing over 60 books. Edith developed a new approach to children’s writing, combining fantasy with realism, much admired by JK Rowling. Edith was also a political activist and co-founded the Fabian Society. The Edith Nesbit Society celebrate Edith’s birthday every year at this church.
Old Romney
Originally on an island in the River Rother, ancient Old Romney was a busy port. St Clement’s church, constructed in the 12th century, boasts a crusader tomb, Georgian minstrels' gallery and pink box pews. The pink colour was introduced during the filming of the 1962 Disney film The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh based on the Dr Syn series written by Russell Thorndike.
The filmmaker Derek Jarman’s grave is situated in the churchyard.
Ivychurch
The Cathedral of the Marsh, St George’s church in Ivychurch, dates to the twelfth century. The nave was cleared of it’s box pews in early 19th C and offers visitors a great opportunity to look up at the roof structure and the newly restored medieval window. There is a museum of agricultural life in the North Aisle. The flag stones are a reminder of how churches in rural England would regularly be used to store livestock.
Dungeness
Lady Lifeboat Launchers were the wives and daughters of the fishermen who manned the lifeboats. The tradition continued for over 100 years until 1979.
How about a ramble before Lunch?
There are excellent pubs at the end of each walk at The Star Inn at St Mary in the Marsh, The Bell at Ivychurch and if you are cycling The Red Lion at Snargate. We recommend planning your trip and if weather is good travel with supplies as there is limited access to shops.
Maps
There are FREE maps available at our information points: The Looker’s Huts located at St Mary’s and St George’s churchyards.
Follow this link to our customised route using footpaths >>
Follow this link to a google maps route using main roads >>
Only download the trails if you accept that the creators of the trails cannot be held liable for any injury, harm or loss suffered when experiencing these walking/cycling trails.
Thank you
This is an original audio that has been recorded using local residents, actors, local experts and vocalists. We would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to all the participants, volunteers and to the sound editor Diane Dunn for bringing their experiences, skills and time to this project.