s in South East England
importance lay in its development as a stopping place on the route to London. This is illustrated by the large number of surviving coaching inns. The town can also be traced back to an Iron Age camp on the crown of Dry Hill close by. Charcoal and farming were major features in its history, but even by the seventeenth century these were in decline. The town’s later good fortunes reflect the growth and importance of London to the Medway area. A visitor dedicated website is being planned for Edenbridge to ensure a ‘one stop shop’ for visitor information. Maps and guides will be available and visitors will even be able to take special beer mats away with them having first frequented one of the public houses!
Shepway District Council)
notice in Roman times as a natural harbour. Thereafter, the economy reverted to agriculture and brought with it new wealth and the building of some fine churches. The area was also made famous for smuggling following the imposition of export duties. There was the famous battle of Brookland between revenue officers and a smuggling gang and the activities of Dr Syn the aptly named vicar turned smuggler. Visitors will soon be able to enjoy a DVD exhibition and presentation on the sheep farming heritage in the area. This will be located in the existing Romney Marsh Visitor Centre, with outreach to care and retirement homes on the Marsh. Another visitor attraction will be a recipe book of traditional and contemporary local recipes.
Edenbridge: bridges, coaches and charcoal
The town stands on one of the major crossing points of the river Medway, even in Roman times it was a key river crossing. Edenbridge’s growth and
Winchelsea: writers, artists and Edward I
By comparison with the other three places Winchelsea is relatively young, only having been established in 1292 by Edward I after the old town had been washed away by the sea. But Winchelsea prospered
(mainly through the wine trade) going on to become a Cinque Port. As the port began to silt up so trade declined and the town sank into relative obscurity. It became popular with artists and writers in the nineteenth century who valued it for what it is today: a quiet and picturesque Sussex village. Plans are underway to provide visitors with handheld guides to take them through a walk around the town. The guide is being designed for a variety of groups and it is hoped that this innovative product will be popular with visitors. The guides will be supported with information boards around the town, and leaflets in shops and businesses.
For more information:
www.hiddenbritainse.com and
www.hidden-britain.co.uk David Long
National Administrator Hidden Britain Centres
024 7685 3067
davidl@rase.org.uk
Edenbridge (Photo courtesy of Sevenoaks District Council)
www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk
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rural tourism
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