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Reculver, Kent

Reculver near Herne Bay in Kent is the site of a Roman fort. A small camp may have been established here as early as 43AD during Claudius's initial invasion of Britain. At this time a strategically important channel of water, known as the Wantsum Channel ran between the Isle of Thanet and Kent's mainland. This offered a short cut to the Thames Estuary for ships approaching from the continent. Reculver once lay at the northern entrance to this channel. In coming ashore at Reculver the Romans' aim was to secure the Wantsum Channel. Soldiers making initial landings quickly dug a series of ditches enclosing about an acre of ground. Similar, but much larger fortifications were being built by the main invading force which had landed at the south end of the Wantsum Channel at Richborough.

Once the invasion's military phase was over, a civilian settlement was established at Reculver. By the early third century, however, the military presence was back. Raids by Saxon pirates necessitated a large fort at Reculver. This was one of a series of forts on England's southern and eastern coasts, with Reculver being one of the first to be built. Building work could have been complete by as early as 210AD. Parts of the walls survive. You can follow the south wall from the car park. This wall would have been fifteen feet high, backed by an earth rampart, with a series of double ditches in front. Two towers of the later medieval church mark what was once roughly the fort's centre. Looking beyond the towers you are looking out over an area of where nearly half of the Roman building has now disappeared into the sea. In the area close to the church you will see the outlines of a headquarters room, a bath house, and a barracks.

The Saxon raids were only one of many attacks on the Roman Empire, which increased in ferocity through the third century. Around 410AD Roman troops were withdrawn from Britannia, and at this time Reculver seems to have been deserted. Later the fort was used as a religious site, with a Saxon church being built around 669AD. This reflects a very familiar relationship between military and religious buildings. People seek physical security in their military buildings, and spiritual security in their churches. The architecture of one is reflected in the other, and the placing of one often follows the other, as at Reculver and Richborough. 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. This site, now being slowly lost to the sea, is a poignant testament to the never ending search for security in all its forms. (Read more on our History of Castles pages.)

There are few facilities at the site to help you in exploring Reculver. I suggest you visit Richborough first. The guide book on sale there includes a guide to Reculver.

Directions: Reculver Castle is just off the A299 Thanet Way, east of Herne Bay in Kent. Click here for an interactive road and satellite map centred on Reculver Castle. Postcode CT6 6SS.

Opening Times: Any reasonable time.

Access: Ground is uneven in places. There are some steep slopes. Toilet facilities are available.

Contact:

telephone: 01227 740676

web site: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.14779