Lympne Guidebook
City/town information
Lympne is a village overlooking Romney Marsh in Kent.
The Street, which runs along the top of the ridge overlooking the marsh and out to sea is perhaps the most historic part of Lympne. There's Lympne Hall, a 16th Century house which has played a big part in village life throughout the years, with many a village resident remembering school visits and playing in the grounds as children. On the opposite side of the road, you'll find The Cottage and Smuggler's End, a former 17th Century dwelling, which is said to have played a part in smuggling in the area - something the majority of the residents of Lympne were involved in at the time.
Further along The Street, you'll find the Victorian vicarage, the beautiful Grade I Listed castle dating back to the 12th Century and once the home of Archbishop Thomas Beckett and of course Norman built St Stephen's Church. And that's just the tip of the iceberg, if you're a history buff the whole of the marsh area is just crying out to be explored!
Modern day Lympne has of course grown, although it still retains its village charm. The airfield is long gone, but you can always arrange a hot air balloon ride overlooking the village and the coastline if you've always dreamed of taking to the skies and admiring the view. We do of course also have Port Lympne Reserve bordering the village too, which is a great day out for all the family.
You'll also find a village pub, Bistro, community centre, village shop and a small park within the village.
Lympne
Lympne is a village overlooking Romney Marsh in Kent.
The Street, which runs along the top of the ridge overlooking the marsh and out to sea is perhaps the most historic part of Lympne. There's Lympne Hall, a 16th Century house which has played a big part in village life throughout the years, with many a village resident remembering school visits and playing in the grounds as children. On the opposite side of the road, you'll find The Cottage and Smuggler's End, a former 17th Century dwelling, which is said to have played a part in smuggling in the area - something the majority of the residents of Lympne were involved in at the time.
Further along The Street, you'll find the Victorian vicarage, the beautiful Grade I Listed castle dating back to the 12th Century and once the home of Archbishop Thomas Beckett and of course Norman built St Stephen's Church. And that's just the tip of the iceberg, if you're a history buff the whole of the marsh area is just crying out to be explored!
Modern day Lympne has of course grown, although it still retains its village charm. The airfield is long gone, but you can always arrange a hot air balloon ride overlooking the village and the coastline if you've always dreamed of taking to the skies and admiring the view. We do of course also have Port Lympne Reserve bordering the village too, which is a great day out for all the family.
You'll also find a village pub, Bistro, community centre, village shop and a small park within the village.
Sightseeing
If you're an animal lover you can't miss Kent's very own safari park! With plenty of animals to see, pre bookable animal encounters, fabulous eateries, outdoor play areas and even Dinosaur Forest, where over 100 prehistoric creatures can be found among 3 acres of woodland. It's a great day out for all the family.
104 locals recommend
Port Lympne Reserve Giraffe Cottage
Aldington RoadIf you're an animal lover you can't miss Kent's very own safari park! With plenty of animals to see, pre bookable animal encounters, fabulous eateries, outdoor play areas and even Dinosaur Forest, where over 100 prehistoric creatures can be found among 3 acres of woodland. It's a great day out for all the family.
A 28 mile long canal built in 1804 to repel Napoleon, it's now a haven for wildlife and you can walk the towpath into Hythe or out on to Romney Marsh, it is part of the 168 mile long Saxon Shore Way (which can be joined from The Street in Lympne and goes right through Port Lympne, so you may even spot a giraffe or two on your walk!).
13 locals recommend
Royal Military Canal
A 28 mile long canal built in 1804 to repel Napoleon, it's now a haven for wildlife and you can walk the towpath into Hythe or out on to Romney Marsh, it is part of the 168 mile long Saxon Shore Way (which can be joined from The Street in Lympne and goes right through Port Lympne, so you may even spot a giraffe or two on your walk!).
18 holes of crazy golf, 9 hole pitch and putt and a cafe.
6 locals recommend
Cinderella Golf & Activity Centre
18 holes of crazy golf, 9 hole pitch and putt and a cafe.
Small steam trains running along the marsh from Hythe to Dungeness, a great day out for kids (big and small). It's worth getting off at New Romney to see the model railway at the station or going all the way to Dungeness to climb the lighthouse and explore the UK's only desert.
RHDR run seasonal specials at Easter, Halloween, Christmas and more which are always very popular so make sure you book in advance.
37 locals recommend
Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway
Small steam trains running along the marsh from Hythe to Dungeness, a great day out for kids (big and small). It's worth getting off at New Romney to see the model railway at the station or going all the way to Dungeness to climb the lighthouse and explore the UK's only desert.
RHDR run seasonal specials at Easter, Halloween, Christmas and more which are always very popular so make sure you book in advance.
Known as the church with the bones, and is famous for its ossuary, which is open at Easter and then from May to September and features one of the largest collection of human bones in the UK.
St Leonards Church
3 Oak WalkKnown as the church with the bones, and is famous for its ossuary, which is open at Easter and then from May to September and features one of the largest collection of human bones in the UK.
You'll find a pebble beach at Hythe which is great for kite surfing, sailing, kayaking and more.
27 locals recommend
Hythe Beach
46 W ParadeYou'll find a pebble beach at Hythe which is great for kite surfing, sailing, kayaking and more.
Small amusement park in Dymchurch with dodgems, helter skelter, ghost train and more.
29 locals recommend
Dymchurch Amusement Park
High StreetSmall amusement park in Dymchurch with dodgems, helter skelter, ghost train and more.
Alpaca farm in the heart of the Romney Marsh offering alpaca feeding and trekking.
6 locals recommend
Alpaca Annie
Burmarsh RoadAlpaca farm in the heart of the Romney Marsh offering alpaca feeding and trekking.
One of the fastest karting tracks in the country, Lydd Karting offers a number of types of hire kart from Bambino karts through to senior twin engined prokarts for use on its 1040m circuit.
25 locals recommend
Lydd Karting Ltd
Dengemarsh RoadOne of the fastest karting tracks in the country, Lydd Karting offers a number of types of hire kart from Bambino karts through to senior twin engined prokarts for use on its 1040m circuit.
A beautiful promenade affording the most stunning views of the English Channel and of the town itself. Featuring independent eateries from fresh Greek mezze served from a double decker bus, to vegan fare in a restaurant housed in two shipping containers and Champagne from a bar tucked into the Lighthouse at the end of the Harbour Arm. A big screen perfect for watching movies and sporting events, mini golf, a popular Sunday market and more.
105 locals recommend
Folkestone Harbour Arm
Harbour Approach RoadA beautiful promenade affording the most stunning views of the English Channel and of the town itself. Featuring independent eateries from fresh Greek mezze served from a double decker bus, to vegan fare in a restaurant housed in two shipping containers and Champagne from a bar tucked into the Lighthouse at the end of the Harbour Arm. A big screen perfect for watching movies and sporting events, mini golf, a popular Sunday market and more.
Set atop the White Cliffs of Dover you'll find this magnificent castle dating back almost a thousand years. You'll find a Roman lighthouse, Henry II's medieval Great Tower and the secret wartime tunnels but to mention a few.
357 locals recommend
Dover Castle
Castle Hill RoadSet atop the White Cliffs of Dover you'll find this magnificent castle dating back almost a thousand years. You'll find a Roman lighthouse, Henry II's medieval Great Tower and the secret wartime tunnels but to mention a few.
Greatstone Beach
Beautiful sandy beach backed by sand dunes
Folkestone Beach
Sandy beach near the town centre
Camber Sands
Beautiful sandy beach backed by sand dunes
Stunning historic castle with lots to see and do for all the family from the castle and gardens itself to falconry displays and fabulous seasonal events.
316 locals recommend
Leeds Castle
Stunning historic castle with lots to see and do for all the family from the castle and gardens itself to falconry displays and fabulous seasonal events.
Quaint and colourful pedestrianised high street leading down to the harbour lined with independent boutiques and eateries.
9 locals recommend
The Old High Street
The Old High StreetQuaint and colourful pedestrianised high street leading down to the harbour lined with independent boutiques and eateries.
Stunning historic town perched on a hill above the harbour and nature reserve. Full of boutique shops, fabulous eateries and historic buildings with its cobbled streets.
388 locals recommend
Rye
Stunning historic town perched on a hill above the harbour and nature reserve. Full of boutique shops, fabulous eateries and historic buildings with its cobbled streets.
Food scene
Fresh local ingredients with a contemporary twist, served in the stunning surroundings of the castle. A real gem in the historic heart of the village.
The Bistro at Lympne Castle
The StreetFresh local ingredients with a contemporary twist, served in the stunning surroundings of the castle. A real gem in the historic heart of the village.
The County Members
Aldington RoadTraditional country pub fayre
A micro bar coupled with pop up street food by the banks of the Royal Military Canal. Now serving Dockers bakery and brewery goods.
The perfect spot to stop off at on a walk along the Royal Military Canal.
Dog friendly.
Unit 1
A micro bar coupled with pop up street food by the banks of the Royal Military Canal. Now serving Dockers bakery and brewery goods.
The perfect spot to stop off at on a walk along the Royal Military Canal.
Dog friendly.
The Airport Cafe
Main RoadFabulous greasy spoon and trucker stop loved by locals.