DYMCHURCH – THE CHILDREN’S PARADISE

There is a sign on the way into Dymchurch saying “A children’s paradise” – generations of families and kids have enjoyed the village’s charms.

Highlights: Stunning sandy beach (and shops to meet your every beach need), family funfair, a Martello Tower, the church of St. Peter & St. Paul, Dymchurch Heritage Trail and great places to eat and drink.

“SERVE GOD, HONOUR THE KING, BUT FIRST MAINTAIN THE WALL”

Apart from a great expanse of glorious sand, a notable feature of the beach is the Dymchurch Sea Wall. So important was keeping the sea back from the land that in the 14th century all landowners had to grow blackthorn, from which the original defences were built. Failure to provide blackthorn meant an ear being cut off!

Dymchurch became the headquarters for law and order on the Marsh, the Lord of the Level lived here and justice was swift and often harsh. Ever heard the phrase “to escape scot free”? It’s actually ‘Scott’ free, and comes from the fact that those outside the parish boundary were not subject to the Scott tax for the blackthorn and thus kept their ears!

People walking a dog along a promenade by the sea
Dymchurch Seawall
A stone cross on a plinth is surrounded by a flowerbed and then grass in a residential street.
Dymchurch War Memorial

DYMCHURCH HERITAGE TRAIL

The Dymchurch Heritage Trail takes you on a wander around the village to discover the history of its buildings and the people who once lived there. There’s a leaflet available in many outlets in the village and elsewhere on the Marsh, you can print off a leaflet or find a mobile friendly link at www.dymchurchheritagegroup.co.uk/Dymchurch-Heritage-Trail.

WHERE TO EAT

Beach 48 is just off the beach, and renowned for its fish and chips, whether eat in or take away. Ivy’s Kitchen on the High Street is family owned and run, does a fab Full English and bangin’ burgers, while the Hidden Treasure Micropub just opposite is very popular with locals and visitors alike for its selection of real ales, ciders, wines and gins. At one end of the village is the Ship Inn, at the other the Ocean, and in the middle the City of London.

A photograph of two burgers on a plate in a kitchen environment.
Dymchurch has tons of eating options

GETTING HERE

By road, bus or bike, Dymchurch sits on the A259. There is parking on three main sites in the village (LINK). Three main bus routes serve the area: the 100, 101 and 102 Dover to Lydd-on-Sea or Hastings via Lydd, operated by Stagecoach (CHECK/LINK)

Or you can let the train take the strain via the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway – journey from Hythe or Dungeness, or hop on/hop off anywhere along the line. Tickets and bookings from www.rhdr.org.