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Reculver, Kent

Reculver near Herne Bay in Kent is the site of a Roman fort. It was built to repel Saxon raids, and guarded what was then the north end of the Wantsum Channel, dividing the island of Thanet from Kent. This channel has long since silted up. Although the sea has retreated to the east, it has advanced from the north. In Roman times the present north facing coast line lay two miles away. Erosion has now reached Reculver, and most of the land on which the fort stood has been washed away. I found this the most affecting thing about Reculver, the way it demonstrated the constant change of the landscape. The coast which it had defended to the east had gone, to be replaced by a new coast.

Later a church was built on the site, and what remains of the fort lies behind the church towers

The towers which are so prominent at Reculver are the remains of St Mary's church which has stood in one form or another at Reculver since 669AD. The church was demolished in the nineteenth century, but the towers, known as the Twin Sisters were left in place as they were a well known navigational aid for passing ships.

Directions: Reculver Castle is just off the A299 Thanet Way, east of Herne Bay. Click here for an interactive road and satellite map centred on Reculver Castle.