Newchurch: History, Windmills and Trails

Newchurch combines an impressive local history with trails through a landscape shaped by history.

Aviation History and Memorial Sites

Newchurch Advanced Landing Ground opened in 1943, before flight operations ended in late 1944. Fighter aircraft from this airfield provided air cover for the landings in Normandy. Later, units from Newchurch Advanced Landing Ground intercepted V1 flying bombs. The former site is therefore one of the defining historical themes of Newchurch.

At the edge of Newchurch, beyond a small footbridge, there is a memorial site overlooking the location of the Advanced Landing Ground. This place offers a tangible connection to the past, without limiting you to a mere collection of dates. The village’s development can also be traced through the exhibition panels at St Peter and St Paul. They cover 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. An unusual technical episode adds to this historical picture: in 1924, 32 sound mirrors on Romney Marsh were operated from Newchurch Hut.

Church, Tower and Windmill History

The present-day church of St Peter and St Paul in Newchurch was built around 1200. Its distinctive kink in the tower is particularly striking. It was caused by significant subsidence of the ground; the final section of the tower was then added in an upright position. For visitors who enjoy taking a closer look at historic buildings, this connection is an illustrative detail of the village’s history.

The history of the windmills also offers several distinct points of interest. The Newchurch Windmill was no longer operated as a mill after 1901. Newchurch Tower Windmill was also the only tower windmill among six known windmills on Romney Marsh. Together with the exhibition panels and memorial site, this provides a multifaceted insight into the village’s eventful past.

Walking Trails, Cycle Routes and Landscape

There are numerous footpaths and cycle routes around the village of Newchurch. National Cycle Network Route 2 runs east of Newchurch. Newchurch is also one of the villages and small towns visited by the Romney Marsh Circular Walks. Depending on the age and interests of your fellow travellers, this allows you to shape your holiday in different ways: one day can focus more on local history, while another can be devoted to activity and the landscape.

The landscape is also characterised by Newchurch’s drainage ditches and soakaways, which have remained virtually unchanged for hundreds of years. There is a pond area in the churchyard of St Peter and St Paul that provides favourable conditions for amphibians and invertebrates. The Eastbridge Church Ruins also lie east-northeast of Newchurch. Upright medieval remains have been preserved there, including tower and nave walls up to 8.5 m high.

Choosing Newchurch as a Holiday Destination

Newchurch suits a travel plan that brings together a range of interests. If you prefer historic sites, ecclesiastical architecture and unusual local stories, you can make these themes the focus of your search for a holiday apartment. Those who prefer to stay active can also take the footpaths, cycle routes and the location of Route 2 east of the village into account. This allows you to align your choice of accommodation with your preferred daily rhythm, without every day of your trip having to look the same.

For a broader search for suitable destinations, you can also visit the pages for Lyminge, Ulcombe, Broadstairs, Chartham, Ash, Coldred, Sutton Valence and Sheerness.

For the higher-level travel overview: Kent.