My obsession: The Sound Mirrors of Romney Marsh.

[PonyB]

During WWI the Brits sought any advantage in detecting action over the English Channel.
These massive concrete 'ears' were developed, with microphone at each apex, to hear artillery and later, aircraft.
My dream for years has been to paint these structures, and now that dream is within sight.
I have begun booking my trip for September.
Has anyone here visited this amazing site?

Account Suspended

 

[Stu78]

Now that's pretty cool! Not visited that site but have visited other places in UK of military interest. Scapa Flow for example.

High Seas Sunken Fleet and Other Wrecks : Dive Scapa Flow's Wrecks

www.scapaflowwrecks.com

 

[PonyB]

Now that's pretty cool! Not visited that site but have visited other places in UK of military interest. Scapa Flow for example.

High Seas Sunken Fleet and Other Wrecks : Dive Scapa Flow's Wrecks

www.scapaflowwrecks.com

Very interesting, Stu!
Were you diving at the sites?
What is visible above water?

 

[JamesE]

I didn't visit the "ears", but there's a great steam railway to ride on!
I think I stayed in a hotel called "Doctor Syn".

Down on the beach they have machines like at the ski resorts to shift the stones around - they can be seen in David Bowie's "Ashes to ashes" video.

Is that the wall used in "I am the walrus"? Looks like it.

 

[PonyB]

I didn't visit the "ears", but there's a great steam railway to ride on!
I think I stayed in a hotel called "Doctor Syn".

Down on the beach they have machines like at the ski resorts to shift the stones around - they can be seen in David Bowie's "Ashes to ashes" video.

Is that the wall used in "I am the walrus"? Looks like it.

I read about that train, it's definitely on my list of things to visit.
Interesting about the music videos.

 

[Stu78]

Very interesting, Stu!
Were you diving at the sites?
What is visible above water?

I've only dived once near the blockships of which some are still visible above the waterline. Very cold indeed! There are 7 German ships still submerged in about 50m of water. Some were salvaged for scrap during the interwar period.

 

[PonyB]

Hoping for unusual accommodations in the area, I found a tiny shepherd's lodge on a bleak landscape.
Perfect for part of my stay.

https://www.expedia.co.uk/Ashford-Hotels-The-Lookerer-A-Rural-Shepherds-Hut-With-Amazing-Views.h66862517.Hotel-Information?chkin=2023-09-12&chkout=2023-09-22&destType=MARKET&destination=Romney%20Marsh%2C%20England%2C%20United%20Kingdom&latLong=50.988318%2C0.859554&pwaThumbnailDialog=thumbnail-gallery&pwa_ts=1679576367916&referrerUrl=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXhwZWRpYS5jby51ay9Ib3RlbC1TZWFyY2g%3D&regionId=6144109&rfrr=HSR&rm1=a1&selectedRatePlan=00011f868534e5b54548847af35b4b6abab8&selectedRoomType=66862517&sort=RECOMMENDED&top_cur=GBP&top_dp=1160&useRewards=false&userIntent=&x_pwa=1

 

[Engine Swap]

I have been aware of these sound mirrors for a long time and share a fascination with them. There is something magical about them that I can’t put my finger on.

They are beautiful from all angles - bring plenty of paint!

 

[PonyB]

I have been aware of these sound mirrors for a long time and share a fascination with them. There is something magical about them that I can’t put my finger on.

They are beautiful from all angles - bring plenty of paint!

I agree, something quite magical in their shape, function and bleak location.

 

[ukoldgit]

Hoping for unusual accommodations in the area, I found a tiny shepherd's lodge on a bleak landscape.
Perfect for part of my stay.

https://www.expedia.co.uk/Ashford-Hotels-The-Lookerer-A-Rural-Shepherds-Hut-With-Amazing-Views.h66862517.Hotel-Information?chkin=2023-09-12&chkout=2023-09-22&destType=MARKET&destination=Romney%20Marsh%2C%20England%2C%20United%20Kingdom&latLong=50.988318%2C0.859554&pwaThumbnailDialog=thumbnail-gallery&pwa_ts=1679576367916&referrerUrl=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXhwZWRpYS5jby51ay9Ib3RlbC1TZWFyY2g%3D&regionId=6144109&rfrr=HSR&rm1=a1&selectedRatePlan=00011f868534e5b54548847af35b4b6abab8&selectedRoomType=66862517&sort=RECOMMENDED&top_cur=GBP&top_dp=1160&useRewards=false&userIntent=&x_pwa=1

Looks nice and we call that Glamping i.e. posh camping, if you have the time check out the Black Horse Inn, near Detling, Kent (just off the M23 Motorway) great grub, rooms are spiffing and proper beer, you need something in Kent to knock you out! (just kidding I'm a Hampshire boy)

The Black Horse Inn is a Bed and Breakfast, Restaurant, Country Inn & Wedding Venue in Maidstone Kent offering great food, accommodation and service levels.

Situated on the historic Pilgrims Way, in the hamlet of Thurnham nr Maidstone in Kent provide a tranquil getaway & offers a rural traditional setting for you.

www.blackhorsekent.co.uk

 

[Seamus OReally]

Romney Marsh would be a cool band name.

 

[PonyB]

Looks nice and we call that Glamping i.e. posh camping, if you have the time check out the Black Horse Inn, near Detling, Kent (just off the M23 Motorway) great grub, rooms are spiffing and proper beer, you need something in Kent to knock you out! (just kidding I'm a Hampshire boy)

The Black Horse Inn is a Bed and Breakfast, Restaurant, Country Inn & Wedding Venue in Maidstone Kent offering great food, accommodation and service levels.

Situated on the historic Pilgrims Way, in the hamlet of Thurnham nr Maidstone in Kent provide a tranquil getaway & offers a rural traditional setting for you.

www.blackhorsekent.co.uk

Thanks for the tip.
The inn looks lovely, priced well too.

 

[Will Lefeurve]

Very interesting post.. thank you..

Mind you, when I first glanced at the title I thought it was about Rodney Marsh.. a famous QPR player from back in the day in England.. haha..

For our American friends across the pond.. real SOCCER..

 

[PonyB]

Now that's pretty cool! Not visited that site but have visited other places in UK of military interest. Scapa Flow for example.

High Seas Sunken Fleet and Other Wrecks : Dive Scapa Flow's Wrecks

www.scapaflowwrecks.com

Ever been to Borley, site of the infamous rectory, Stu?

 

[Ed Storer]

Romney Marsh happens to denote a variety of sheep. Mentioned in the 3rd book of James Herriott's All Creatures Great and Small trilogy.

 

[Neil.C]

Went there many years ago.

All of that area is pretty bleak but I enjoy and often visit nearby Rye.

Enjoy your stay. I look forward to seeing your artistic renderings.

 

[ukoldgit]

During WWI the Brits sought any advantage in detecting action over the English Channel.
These massive concrete 'ears' were developed, with microphone at each apex, to hear artillery and later, aircraft.
My dream for years has been to paint these structures, and now that dream is within sight.
I have begun booking my trip for September.
Has anyone here visited this amazing site?

Account Suspended

If you placed a 100w Marshall stack in front of them you could deafen half of France

 

[PonyB]

I have been aware of these sound mirrors for a long time and share a fascination with them. There is something magical about them that I can’t put my finger on.

They are beautiful from all angles - bring plenty of paint!

That's a spectacular photo, haven't seen them from that angle before.
Inspiring.