The Romney Marshes were originally under sea, as the sea retreated lagoons formed, which in turn silted up leaving just rivers running off the weald across the Marshes out to the channel.

Today there only three rivers remain:

The Rother (Rumenea/Limen): the main and largest river of the region, the Rother runs 35 miles from its source near Rotherfield in East Sussex past Etchingham, Robertsbridge, Bodiam, Northiam and Wittersham and out to the Channel at Rye Harbour. This arrangement however has only existed since the early Middle ages, when tremendous storms in the 13th Century forced it to deviate from its original course. Prior the storms, the Rother continued past Bodiam to the Isle of Oxney and onto Appledore from where it wound its way down, flowing into the Channel at the port of Romney. During this time, it was called the Rumenea inherriting the name of the port at which ended. But this wasn't the first time the Rother/Rumenea had changed course. Even earlier, the river continued past Appledore, under the Kentish Hills, to emerge as the River Limen at Lymne Hill, flowing into the channel, which at that time lapped at the foot of the hills. The bay of the River formed an ideal landing place and Romans chose it to establish a early defensive castle, the remains of which - Stutfall Castle - can still be seen from the village here. Port Lymne is now several miles inland, its name confusing visitors baffled as to why a village miles away from the sea and with no noticeable connection to it is called a Port.

The Tillingham: A tributary to the Rother, rising a few miles from Rye, and joining it at Rye. Navigable from the sea.

The Brede: Flows from its source near Battle, along the Brede valley and falls between Winchelsea on the Southern side and Brede and Udimore on its northern banks. It joins the Tillingham at Rye, then the Rother.

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Last update: 27-04-2008 23:09