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Snargate in Kent

Google map showing area surrounding Snargate
(Sluice Gates made by Royal Order)
Location: 51.021982,0.839290
General Details
10 miles south east of Tenterden on the B2080 in the heart of the Romney Marsh lies Snargate in Kent .

The name of the village has varied over the years from Snergathe to Snergate, and can be traced back to the snare-gate or sluice gates erected here. They were essential in the maintenance of a water-way to the harbour at Romney.

In 1254 during Henry III reign it was directed by Royal order, that a new sluice gate should be made. In 1401 the Jurats of Romney paid £16 10s 9d for the making of a new gate.

The list of Knights Fees in Kent mentions the manor of 'Snergate'.

Admiral Gervase Alard held the manor in 1306, and paid 1/4 of a knights fee. In 1347 when Edward the Black Prince was made a knight, Dionisia Alard paid 1/8th of a fee for the Manor. The famous historian, Halsted, says that in 1369 Agnes Alard, widow, died in posession of this property. There is no other mention of posession of the manor until 1461, when it passed to John Fare of Tonbridge.

Late in the 18th century, the row of cottages in front of the church were used as a workhouse for the poor. The church records show an old bill of 6s 6d paid to Miss Smith for nursing the smallpox victims of the workhouse for three nights, three days and a half.

In 1821 the parish held 15 dwellings and a total population of 93 people.

The parish church is dedicated to St Dunstan, and stands on a man made mound, surrounded by trees. A surprisingly large building, it was erected around 1200 in the Early English style. The interest of the interior was diminished somewhat by the considerable restorations carried out by the Reverend Edward Wilkinson in 1871.

On the north side of the nave stands the font, which has a square bowl and stem. It dates from about 1220, and still retains its original lead lining. It has a flat oak lid which probably dates from the 16th century. A peculiar feature of this, and other churches in the district, is the lack of a chancel arch.

On the south side of the altar in the east wall lies a 14th century piscina, which fell victim to the Victorian restoration.

The sanctuary rails, made of oak with lovely wrought iron supports are believed to date from the 14th century.

A finely carved Late Stuart chair, made around 1685 can be seen on the north side of the chancel. It is still used by the Bishop officiating at Confirmation Services and other functions.

Opposite the main door, on the north wall is a terracotta coloured painting of a ship of around the year 1500. About 5ft by 4ft the painting was hidden under a layer of whitewash, and was uncovered a few years ago when work was being done on the church. Mrs Baker an authority on mural painting, considered it to be a 16th century work. Her assistant, Mr David Perry, later cleaned and restored it.

The big house behind the church used to be the Rectory. Due to the difficulty of finding a clergyman for every parish the house was sold to a Mr H Clarke in 1918.

St Dunstan at Snargate is one of those churches supported by the Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust .
Views
If you park by the church and walk down the lane, the rich farmlands can be seen all around. Watch out for sheep, as there are many in this area.

A walk around the church is quite relaxing, and there is always the local public house to stop at.
Services
Snargate and the surrounding areaSnargate in Kent's local services are limited, and New Romney about 4 miles south provides local services. The nearest train runs from Appledore station on the Hastings to Ashford line, which runs hourly services across the Romney Marsh .
Map
Snargate is shown as the red symbol on the map.

Nearby Villages

(click on symbol to see the village page)
Village= Town= Recorded in Domesday=
Appledore (Danes invade England)
2.34 miles
Bilsington (The Priory and Obelisk)
4.76 miles
Bonnington (Saint Rumwold the child saint)
5.66 miles
Brenzett (St Eanswyth a saxon princess)
1.06 miles
Brookland (13th century wooden spire)1.58 miles
Fairfield (The Isolated Church)2.16 miles
Hamstreet and Orlestone (The Start of the Ordnance Survey)3.84 miles
Iden (Sheriff of Kent and Jack Cade)
5.49 miles
Ivychurch (The burial ground on the Island)2.24 miles
Kenardington (Danes destroy Saxon Fort)2.87 miles
Littlestone (The Genteel Resort)5.96 miles
Newchurch (The Church Tower with a kink)4.34 miles
New Romney (Cinque Port and Storm)5.07 miles
Old Romney (Sheep and Wool Smuggling)3.29 miles
Playden (Saltcote and fish)
5.23 miles
Ruckinge (Smuggling and Traction Engines)
3.71 miles
Smallhythe (The Ellen Terry Museum)6.22 miles
Snave (the Remote church)1.58 miles
St Mary in the Marsh (Ancient Celts)4.67 miles
St Marys Bay (Holidays and Beaches)6.18 miles
Stone in Oxney (Roman stone altar)3.31 miles
Tenterden (Centre of the Broadcloth industry)7.34 miles
Warehorne (A good place to explore the Marshes)
2.50 miles
Wittersham (Park your Airship here ?)5.99 miles
Woodchurch (Dragoons capture Smugglers)4.47 miles
Copyright Villagenet 1998-2024
 
Local Businesses
The Bald Explorer for local documentaries
The Rudes as lots of people call us, are an outdoor touring theatre company specialising in taking new & original theatre to mainly small rural communities and a few towns across the South of England. We were founded in 1998 & first toured in the Summer of 1999. Currently we tour only in the summer performing 50+ times nightly during June, July & August. https://therudemechanicaltheatre.co.uk
Battle Brewery our local excellent micro brewery
Tenderheart Childrens Charity
Talk in Code fabulous new Album
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