A medieval canal known as the Rhee Wall. The canal originally ran for a total length of 7.5 miles between New Romney, then one of the Cinque Ports, and the inland town of Appledore. It was constructed during the mid-13th century in order to help flush out the rapidly silting harbour at Romney Creek by redirecting sea water towards the port from further up the River Rother estuary, and to provide a shipping channel between the two settlements. The canal fell into disuse as a shipping route during the 15th century, although its dry, raised banks continued to be used as an overland trade route across the marshes. The section of the canal between Appledore and Snargate acted as the main drain for the south westerly marshes until 1544, when a new gut was made at Arrowhead.