The historic church of St. Augustine at Brookland, Romney Marsh - See inside the famous wooden bell tower
Church of St. Augustine, High Street, Brookland, Romney Marsh, Kent, TN29 9QR
St. Augustine's is one of the most famous churches on Romney Marsh. Numerous interesting features include a medieval mural depicting the murder of St. Thomas Becket, a rare collection of tithe weights, a unique ancient font which pre-dates even the church and, most noticeably, its impressive wooden bell tower, which stands separately to the church. Look closely and you'll see scorch marks on the beams from ancient superstitious customs! Local folklore includes a connection to the Spanish Armada and tales of the infamous smugglers' Battle of Brookland, which inspired writer Rudyard Kipling.
Especially for Heritage Open Days, the bell tower will be open to visitors on Saturday 13th September from 5pm to 6:30pm, with a member of the church community present to guide you to some other highlights within the church.
The church is open during 10am-3:30pm during Heritage Open Days, but it will not be possible to access the bell tower.
The Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust helps care for 14 medieval churches on Romney Marsh. It offers free audio-visual guides via its website and the app Izi Travel.
Each church also hosts one of The Marsh Mosaics, created by local people to celebrate the history and wildlife of Romney Marsh. Further details can be found on the Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust website. There is a talk about The Marsh Mosaics on 18th September at 11:30am, at the nearby church of St. Nicholas' in New Romney, where guide booklets are available.
Timings & Tours
- Saturday 13 September:
- See inside the bell tower 5pm-6:30pm
Location & directions
Church of St. Augustine, High Street, Brookland, Romney Marsh, Kent, TN29 9QR
- Directions:
- The church is in the centre of the village and its bell tower is impossible to miss
- Contact on day:
- Rev. Shuna Body
- Telephone number:
- +447747142115
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
Access to the church is flat but floor slabs may be a little uneven. The entrance to the bell tower is narrow with a small lip, and space inside is limited, so access for wheelchairs and pushchairs may not be possible depending on size/mobility level. There are no accessible toilets on site.
Additional information
For those interested in church history and architecture, there are 14 medieval churches on Romney Marsh including several others close to this location.
