The Fifth Continent
Welcome to the Fifth Continent
Stretching between the counties of Kent and East Sussex, Romney Marsh is one of England’s most distinctive and unique landscapes. The Ingoldsby Legends (1837) recognised the importance of Romney Marsh as a fifth continent through the statement ‘The world, according to the best geographers, is divided into Europe, Asia, Africa, America and Romney Marsh’.
The Fifth Continent Landscape Partnership Scheme seeks to deliver a number of exciting projects based around three key themes to Restore, Rediscover and Reclaim Romney Marsh.
Doorstep Discovery booklets
Explore the area with these new booklets which include family quiz trails to guide you in your search for hidden answers and reveal unique features of the local landscape.
And explore our fantastic oral history book:
Did you know?
Romney Marsh is known, internationally, as an important place for wildlife, and it makes up 13% of the UK’s coastal grazing marshes; 12% of the UK’s reed beds, and is the largest area of plant rich coastal shingle. So it’s an area of real importance to wildlife. It is also very distinctive and has lots of visitors, many of whom have moved to live here.
Kent Wildlife Trust has been successful in getting funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund for projects across Romney Marsh. These projects will include:- Improving sites for wildlife; Protecting and helping the plants on the shingle around Dungeness to grow and survive; Archaeological digs; Making a range of short films about the area, the projects and local folklore; Lots of fun community activities to get involved with; Monitoring the animals and plants, and opportunities for training or learning new skills.
If you’re interested in finding out more or want to get involved with these exciting projects please visit our website www.fifthcontinent.co.uk or contact the team on 01622 357897. Ask for Craig – Community projects and events; Lucie – Archaeology and Heritage Projects; Dawn – Scheme Manager and Wildlife projects, or Viv for general enquiries.
We’re looking forward to meeting you.
Supporters
Alongside this support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, a number of Trusts and Foundations have also given generously to support the Fifth Continent Landscape Partnership Scheme:
The DS Smith Charitable Foundation
