Appledore was once a port on the estuary of the River Rother but 13th-century storms caused the river to change its course; the village street now leads down to the Royal Military Canal. A French raid in 1380 resulted in the burning of the church: it was later rebuilt. The village was permitted to hold a market in the main street by Edward II. In 1804, when there was threat of invasion by Napoleon the Royal Military Canal was built: Appledore stands on its northern bank.[3] The Rhee Wall, a 13th century waterway. was built to carry silt away from the eastern part of the Romney Marsh; it runs from Appledore to New Romney.
The medieval parish church is dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul.[4]
Today the village is served by a secondary road (B2080) between Tenterden and New Romney; and by the "Marsh Link" railway line between both Brighton or Hastings and Ashford. The railway station is located beyond the Canal, some 2 miles (3km) distant.
