The village has been a farming community throughout its life,
its church stems from Norman times when the tower was built.
The village has been the home of the Knatchbull family since the
times of Henry VIII . The family were quite at home with politics
as can be seen following.
In 1638 Sir Norton Knatchbull founded Ashford Grammar School , to
which pupils were not admitted until they could read the bible in
English, he was also the M.P. for Romney.
In the early 1800's Sir Edward Knatchbull served under Walpole in
the Whig government.
In 1830 another Sir Edward became M.P. for Romney and served under
Peel in his government of 1841.
Nowadays Mersham lies on the route of the Eurostar train
service from London to Paris and Brussels .
Services
Mersham has a few local services, but these are declining as Ashford
moves nearer the village.
The main shopping centre is at Ashford about 4 miles east, where there
is also the main London to Dover train service, and the Eurostar
service to Paris and Brussels .
Views
Mersham lies on the south facing side of the hill, and has some
nice views south.
At the bottom of the vally lies a very pretty bridge over the East
Stour , next to the water meadows, and an old mill.
Name Derivation
Mersham is derived from the Anglo Saxon Maersa ham(The settlement of Maersa).
It is first recorded as Mersaham in 858.
