Denge Marsh facts for kids
Denge Marsh, sometimes spelled Dengemarsh, is a unique part of Romney Marsh in Kent, England. It is located near the town of Lydd. To its south-east, you'll find Denge Beach and Dungeness. This area has a fascinating history, especially how it was formed over many centuries.
How Denge Marsh Was Formed
Many years ago, during Roman times, the land that is now Romney Marsh was actually under the sea. Towns like Lympne and Appledore, which are now inland, were once busy ports right on the coast!
At that time, only small islands poked out of the water. Lydd was one of these islands. Denge Marsh, located south-east of Lydd, was one of the first areas to be "reclaimed" from the sea. This means people worked to drain the water and turn it into dry land. Records show this started as early as A.D. 744.
The process of reclaiming land continued in nearby areas, like Walland Marsh, throughout the Middle Ages. To help with this, people built special drainage channels. These channels are known locally as "sewers," but they are not the same as the pipes that carry waste water. Instead, they are like small rivers or ditches that help move water away from the land.
The Denge Sound Mirrors
At the north-eastern edge of Denge Marsh, close to Greatstone-on-Sea, you can find the amazing sound mirrors at RAF Denge. These are huge concrete structures. They were built between 1928 and 1930 as an experiment.
The idea was to use these curved mirrors to focus sounds. Microphones placed in front of them could then pick up the sounds of approaching enemy aircraft. This would give an early warning of an attack. However, these sound mirrors quickly became outdated. This happened when radar technology was invented, which was a much more effective way to detect planes.
