[1] Cooling was recorded in the Domesday Book[2] when it was held by Bishop Odo of Bayeux (half-brother of William the Conqueror).

The most notable surviving feature of the village is Cooling Castle, built on the edge of the marshes during the 12th century to defend the neighbouring port of Cliffe from the threat of French raiders.

Cooling Castle, located at the west end of the village, was built by Sir John Cobham in the 1380s following a French raid on the Thames Estuary.

In January 1554 it was attacked and badly damaged in a brief siege by Sir Thomas Wyatt during his unsuccessful rebellion against Queen Mary.

[3] Although it has long been classified 'redundant', and no longer used for regular worship, Jools Holland married Christabel (former Countess of Durham) there in August 2007.