New Romney is the home station of the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway, on the edge of Romney Marsh. Sandy beaches at Greatstone and Dymchurch and the shingle headland at Dungeness are close by.
Image: Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch RailwayThe Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway runs miniature trains along the Kent coast between Hythe and Dungeness, calling at Dymchurch, St Mary's Bay, New Romney and Romney Sands. Ride the full line out to the shingle at Dungeness, or hop off for the beach along the way, with cafés and a buffet at the stations. It is a favourite with young families.
Photo: Leonard Bentley from Iden, East Sussex, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0Greatstone offers two miles of sandy beach on the Romney Marsh coast, ideal for swimming, sandcastles and long walks at low tide. The open shore also draws kitesurfers and land yachters. Families can easily fill half a day, and Dungeness is close by for more exploring.
Photo: Poliphilo, CC0St Mary's Bay is a long sandy beach on Romney Marsh, stretching between Dymchurch and Littlestone-on-Sea. Families come for sandcastles and summer swims, with a kiosk for ice creams and cold drinks, while winter brings bracing walks along the front. Allow a relaxed half day in summer.
Image: RSPB DungenessRSPB Dungeness protects a wide stretch of shingle, freshwater pits, wet grassland and wildflower meadows on the Dungeness peninsula. Follow the level Discovery Trail between the hides to watch the birdlife, and pick up sightings at the visitor centre. It suits birdwatchers and anyone curious about this unusual landscape.
Photo: Doyle of London, CC BY-SA 4.0Dymchurch Beach is a sweeping sand and shingle shore that is popular with sandcastle builders, paddlers, swimmers and kitesurfers. The village behind it has an amusement park, cafes and a pub, and a stop on the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway. It suits families planning a classic half day at the seaside.
Photo: Doyle of London, CC BY-SA 4.0Martello towers were small gun forts built along the south-east coast between 1805 and 1808 against an invasion by Napoleon. The Dymchurch tower has been restored to look as it did, with soldiers' quarters, a storeroom and a 24-pounder gun on the roof. It is right in the village, five minutes' walk from Dymchurch station on the miniature railway.
Photo: Dr Astrid Stilma, CC BY-SA 4.0Dungeness is one of the largest shingle landscapes in the world, a strange and beautiful place of wooden houses, lighthouses, power stations and gravel pits. The National Nature Reserve is home to around 600 plant species and is a great spot for migrating birds in spring and autumn. Spend a few hours walking the paths, then visit the Old Lighthouse, the RSPB reserve or the miniature railway terminus.
Image: Creative FolkestoneProspect Cottage is the former home of the artist, filmmaker and gardener Derek Jarman, set on the shingle at Dungeness with his famous garden around it. Guided, timed visits let you step inside to see the rooms and artworks where he lived and worked. It suits art and film lovers and needs about an hour, with time to look at the garden afterwards.
Image: The Old Lighthouse DungenessThe Old Lighthouse is a Grade II listed tower on the shingle at Dungeness, opened in 1904 and in service until 1960. Climb the 169 steps for panoramic views over Romney Marsh and the Channel, and see the Great Lens and Sector Light on the way. It suits families and anyone exploring Dungeness, and takes about an hour.
Image: Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch RailwayThe miniature railway along the Romney Marsh coast holds its autumn steam gala over the weekend of 17 and 18 October. Gala weekends are the best chance to see more of the fleet in action.
Image: Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch RailwayA return ride on the famous miniature steam railway from New Romney to Hythe, with a meeting with Father Christmas included. Every child up to 17 receives a quality, age-appropriate gift, and seasonal refreshments are part of the ticket. Advance booking is essential and popular services sell out.
Image: Action WatersportsA BSUPA Ready to Ride stand up paddleboarding course held on the lake at Action Watersports in Lydd on 26 October 2026, running from 9:30am to 11:30am. It suits adults and families who want an introduction to paddleboarding and booking is recommended. Price and age guidance are not listed, so check the event page before attending.
Image: Creative FolkestoneProspect Cottage is the former home of the artist, filmmaker and gardener Derek Jarman, set on the shingle at Dungeness with his famous garden around it. Guided, timed visits let you step inside to see the rooms and artworks where he lived and worked. It suits art and film lovers and needs about an hour, with time to look at the garden afterwards.
Image: The Old Lighthouse DungenessThe Old Lighthouse is a Grade II listed tower on the shingle at Dungeness, opened in 1904 and in service until 1960. Climb the 169 steps for panoramic views over Romney Marsh and the Channel, and see the Great Lens and Sector Light on the way. It suits families and anyone exploring Dungeness, and takes about an hour.
Photo: Leonard Bentley from Iden, East Sussex, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0Greatstone offers two miles of sandy beach on the Romney Marsh coast, ideal for swimming, sandcastles and long walks at low tide. The open shore also draws kitesurfers and land yachters. Families can easily fill half a day, and Dungeness is close by for more exploring.
Photo: Poliphilo, CC0St Mary's Bay is a long sandy beach on Romney Marsh, stretching between Dymchurch and Littlestone-on-Sea. Families come for sandcastles and summer swims, with a kiosk for ice creams and cold drinks, while winter brings bracing walks along the front. Allow a relaxed half day in summer.
Photo: Doyle of London, CC BY-SA 4.0Dymchurch Beach is a sweeping sand and shingle shore that is popular with sandcastle builders, paddlers, swimmers and kitesurfers. The village behind it has an amusement park, cafes and a pub, and a stop on the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway. It suits families planning a classic half day at the seaside.
Photo: Doyle of London, CC BY-SA 4.0Martello towers were small gun forts built along the south-east coast between 1805 and 1808 against an invasion by Napoleon. The Dymchurch tower has been restored to look as it did, with soldiers' quarters, a storeroom and a 24-pounder gun on the roof. It is right in the village, five minutes' walk from Dymchurch station on the miniature railway.
Photo: Dr Astrid Stilma, CC BY-SA 4.0Dungeness is one of the largest shingle landscapes in the world, a strange and beautiful place of wooden houses, lighthouses, power stations and gravel pits. The National Nature Reserve is home to around 600 plant species and is a great spot for migrating birds in spring and autumn. Spend a few hours walking the paths, then visit the Old Lighthouse, the RSPB reserve or the miniature railway terminus.
