The village centre consists of about forty homes, a few scattered farms and The Star Inn, along with the church of St Mary the Virgin and the St Marys Hut, now closed.

A group of villagers have established a charity "St Mary in the Marsh Project Fund" with the aim of building a new community hub.

This was superseded after the Norman invasion by a stone built church with a splendid three tier tower of Kentish ragstone.

Inside is a plaque commemorating Edith Nesbit, author of The Railway Children, who lived at St. Mary's Bay and is buried in the churchyard.

The playwright, actor and composer Noël Coward lived for a time in Star Cottage, next to the inn.