New Romney was once a thriving port, with the harbour adjacent to St Nicholas' Church, in front of which a mooring ring can still be seen. In 1287 a storm changed the coastline dramatically and the port was destroyed, the town now being more than a mile from the sea. Four feet of silt were deposited inside the Church and around, which accounts for it being lower than the surrounding area. Large numbers of visitors come annually, attracted by the unique history and architecture; the church is one of the finest in the Diocese of Canterbury.