Brookland, Kent

infobox UK place
country = England
latitude= 50.999
longitude= 0.837
official_name=Brookland
population =
shire_district= Shepway
shire_county = Kent
region= South East England
constituency_westminster= Folkestone and Hythe
post_town=
postcode_district =
postcode_area=
dial_code=
os_grid_reference=

Brookland is a village and civil parish in the Shepway district of Kent, England, about five miles west of New Romney. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 453. It is located on the A259 road in Romney Marsh.

The church has the unusual, if not unique, feature of an entirely wooden spire being separate from the body of the church. Popular myth is that the steeple looked down at a wedding service to see such a beautiful bride marrying such an unpleasant groom that it jumped off the church in shockFact|date=April 2007. A more popular story is that one day a virgin presented herself to be married and the church spire fell off at the unusual occurrenceFact|date=April 2007. In fact, it is separate as the weight can not be supported by the marshy ground.

Inside the church there is a round lead font dating from the 1100s. Around its circumference are panels with reliefs showing the 12 Zodiac signs and the typical labours of each month.

It is a pretty village but it suffers from the common problem of many rural English villages, of becoming a mere residential estate, despite being as far as 7 miles from the nearest shopping centre (Rye). As late as 1970 there were 5 shops, a tea room, a garage, blacksmith, abattoir, a vicar and 2 pubs. Sadly, only the pubs remain. The Royal Oak is situated in the village by the church, whilst the Woolpack Inn continues to operate one mile south of the village. The nearest general stores are now at Appledore (5 miles), Hamstreet (6 miles) and New Romney (6 miles).

External links

* [http://www.paradoxplace.com/Photo%20Pages/UK/Britain_South_and_West/Romney%20Marshes/St_Augustine_Brookland/St_Augustine.htm Photos and description of the panels on the medieval lead font in St Augustine’s church]