Newchurch: History and Trails

Newchurch’s local history offers several ways to shape your stay: St Peter and St Paul’s Church, smuggling, the history of windmills and the area’s military past. There are also trails around the village and a drainage landscape that has remained largely unchanged for centuries. You can plan your trip around historical themes, walking and cycling routes, or a combination of both.

The Advanced Landing Ground and its history

Newchurch Advanced Landing Ground opened in 1943, and flying operations ended in late 1944. Fighter aircraft based there provided air cover for the Normandy landings. Later, units operating from the Advanced Landing Ground intercepted V1 flying bombs. Its military use therefore included both providing air cover for the Normandy landings and later operations against V1 flying bombs.

At the end of Newchurch, behind a small footbridge, there is a memorial with a view of the site of the Advanced Landing Ground. The airfield site may include private land. If you are interested in military history, you can combine a visit to the memorial with a view of the former site.

Church, smuggling and the history of windmills

The present-day church of St Peter and St Paul was built around 1200. Its tower has a distinctive bend caused by substantial subsidence of the ground beneath it. The final section of the tower was then added in an upright position. Display panels in the church explain the development of the village, agriculture, smuggling, Newchurch’s role in the Second World War and local life.

Smuggling shaped life in Newchurch from the Middle Ages and reached its peak in the 18th century. This long period provides a further historical perspective on the area, alongside the much later military events.

The history of windmills also has a place in the timeline: Newchurch Windmill ceased operating as a mill in 1901. Newchurch Tower Windmill was the only tower windmill among six known windmills on Romney Marsh. Another link to the history of technology dates back to 1924, when 32 sound mirrors on Romney Marsh were controlled from Newchurch Hut. This period predates the airfield’s opening in 1943.

Trails and countryside around Newchurch

There are numerous walking and cycling routes around the village. Newchurch is also one of the places visited by the Romney Marsh Circular Walks. Check individual routes and their conditions before setting out on a walk. National Cycle Network Route 2 runs east of Newchurch. Check the current route map before setting off; this will help you establish the route’s location when planning a cycle ride.

Newchurch’s drainage ditches and dykes have remained almost unchanged for hundreds of years. Alongside the historic buildings and military sites, this long continuity is part of the landscape’s history. It offers a different perspective on the area’s past from the comparatively well-dated events associated with the windmill and airfield.

Medieval remains east of Newchurch

Eastnorth-east of Newchurch lie the Eastbridge Church Ruins. The medieval remains include standing tower and nave walls that reach up to 8.5 metres high. This makes the ruins a separate historical point of interest alongside St Peter and St Paul’s Church, built around 1200.

Discover more destinations: West Kingsdown, Leaveland, Goudhurst, West Farleigh, Westgate-On-Sea, Elmsted, Benenden, Westerham.

For the broader travel overview: Kent.