of the North Kent Marshes by Ian Jackson and Keith Robinson

This beautiful book features the paintings of Denham Jordan, a Dorking artist, who spent time in the North Kent marshes. 

The North Kent Marshes can be a cold, damp, lonely place or a bright, warm refuge from the urban hurly-burly.

Their savage beauty inspired many writers and artists including Dickens and Turner.

In times past few would venture into their disease ridden swamps.

Haunted by smugglers, the saltings and seaways played host to preventative men and coastguards.

When war threatened, the army and navy mounted guard on their rivers, creeks and foreshores.

The marsh folk have grown the crops and raised the cattle and sheep to feed the London market.

The marshland nature reserves are internationally important for the future well-being and survival of breeding and migratory birds.

In these days of industrial and environmental peril this wilderness on London's doorstep is threatened as never before.

The history of the marshes and their people has been rarely told.