Ashford Road, between New Romney and Ivychurch, Romney Marsh, Kent, TN28 8TH
Hope All Saints Church Ruins
Church
Place photograph
5.4
Wildland
Under 1 hour
Time
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Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
5.4A medieval church ruin on the marsh, now cared for as a small sculpture and heritage garden. Its surviving stonework sits within an earthwork enclosure, while contemporary sculptures bring a deliberately broad interpretation of “All Saints” to the consecrated site.
This is a compact but unusual Romney Marsh heritage stop: fragments of a medieval church and its surrounding earthworks share the site with an inclusive, evolving sculpture collection. The appeal is in that unexpected meeting of ruined sacred architecture, marsh history and contemporary art.
Atmospheric · Quirky
Find your way
Open mapAshford Road, between New Romney and Ivychurch, Romney Marsh, Kent, TN28 8TH
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
Arrange a visit with the IMOS Foundation to explore the church remains and the sculpture collection. The Foundation describes guided tours and a QR-code trail; check which option is available when booking.
Things to do
See the surviving church masonry
Explore the remains of the 12th-century church. The Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust describes six pieces of masonry wall as the surviving remains.
Look around the earthworks
The archaeological survey describes the church as standing within an earthwork enclosure and ditch. Keep to the arrangements and routes provided for visitors; do not disturb the monument.
Find the artworks among the ruins
The sculpture collection includes works such as St George and the Dragon, a clay replica of the original Sanctus Bell, and sculptures honouring people from different traditions and fields.
Follow the QR-code trail
The IMOS Foundation says a QR-code trail guides visitors around the site when they are not on a free guided tour. Confirm current availability when arranging your visit.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Check with the IMOS Foundation
Explore the church ruin and sculpture garden
- 01
Arrange a visit or guided tour with the IMOS Foundation before travelling.
- 02
Explore the surviving church remains and the site’s sculpture collection.
- 03
If available, follow the QR-code trail around the site.
Verified history
Hope All Saints was a medieval church in the former parish of Hope on Romney Marsh. The Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust describes it as a 12th-century church whose Norman doorways and chancel arch were replaced by pointed Gothic arches in an early-13th-century update; it had been a ruin since the mid-17th century. A 1988–89 archaeological survey recorded the remaining fabric and surrounding earthworks. In 2017 the IMOS Foundation undertook care of the site and developed it as a sculpture and heritage garden.
Hidden details
A church enclosure within the marsh — The archaeological survey records a ditch around a roughly square plot and notes that the church stands on a slight eminence above marsh level.
A layered building history in the arches — The church’s round-headed Norman doors and chancel arch were replaced by pointed Gothic arches during an early-13th-century update, according to the Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust.
When to go
· No particular time of day is established by the supplied sources. Arrange access in advance.
The supplied sources do not identify a seasonal highlight or best visiting months.
Check the forecast and current access arrangements before travelling; no site-specific weather or ground-condition information is supplied.
What to look for
Look for the surviving sections of the church’s masonry, the earthwork enclosure and ditch, and sculptures including St George and the Dragon, the clay replica of the Sanctus Bell, and works honouring figures such as Beethoven, Mozart and Nelson Mandela.
The story
Archaeology
Best time to go
No season-specific advantage is established by the supplied sources. Arrange a visit in advance and check current access.
There is no verified best time of day or seasonal spectacle in the supplied sources. Visit by arrangement and confirm the current arrangements directly with the Foundation.
How long to spend
Under 1 hour
Perfect for
History lovers · Photographers
Before you go
Address
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: 10am-5pm
- Tuesday: 10am-5pm
- Wednesday: 10am-5pm
- Thursday: 10am-5pm
- Friday: 10am-5pm
- Saturday: 10am-5pm
- Sunday: 10am-5pm
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The site is cared for by the IMOS Foundation. The Sculpture and Heritage Park is described as open by appointment; arrange a visit or guided tour with the Foundation before travelling. The supplied Google Maps pin marks the place, not an entrance or parking area.
Parking
Check before visiting. The supplied sources do not confirm parking arrangements.
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Toilets
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Food & drink
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Dogs
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Accessibility
Check access arrangements and the condition of paths and bridges with the IMOS Foundation before visiting; the supplied sources do not establish step-free access or other accessibility details.
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Cost
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Water
None stated
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Hope All Saints Church Ruins
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
