Population 555 (2011 Census) Country England Post town Sittingbourne Shire county Kent | Region South East Sovereign state United Kingdom Postcode district ME9 District Swale | |
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Rodmersham is a village in the Borough of Swale in Kent, England.
Contents
Map of Rodmersham, Sittingbourne, UK
Rodmersham is just under 1 mile south of Bapchild on the A2 road. Rodmersham Green (another hamlet) is another mile away (on Stockers Hill/Green Lane) heading towards Highsted and Tunstall.
History
In 1798, Edward Hasted records that the parish was made up of 1050 acres of land, of which 75acres are woodland.
It was under the control of the Manor of Milton, who controlled most of Kent. In King Richard II's reign, it was owned by John de Podach (from Devonshire), his descendants then renamed themselves 'Pordage'. In the reign of King James I, it was owned by Sir William Pordage. In 1615, he renamed the manor house, 'New House'. Now (Grade II listed) and called Rodmersham House. In Queen Anne's reign it passed to the Lushington family. Which included Mr Thomas Lushington, a noted scholar, born in Sandwich in 1589, and afterwards educated at Oxford. The manor house stayed in the private hands of the family.
The village church, (the Grade I listed) Church of St Nicholas, is in the diocese of Canterbury, and deanery of Sittingborne.
Rodmersham Green
Hasted notes that Rodmersham Green, also had a nearby Hamlet of Upper Rodmersham. This is seen in the 1930s maps but not on 1940s maps. There was a windmill at the north end of Rodmersham Green, built in 1935 and demolished in September 1969.
The village has 6 listed buildings in it. Baker Cottages, Pardoners Cottage, Holly Tree Lodge, Victoria House, Orsett House, and Vine Cottages.
It also has the local primary school, the Fruiters Arms public house, and 2 sporting venues, Rodmersham Cricket Club and Rodmersham Squash Club.