Romney Marsh has its own strange beauty with low lying marsh lands, secluded villages to explore, quaint old inns to find and many interesting churches, like those at Burmarsh, Brooklands & Dymchurch many of which were used to hide smugglers contraband of tobacco and brandy. The Romney Marsh area of Kent, was once completely under the sea and in Roman Times was a natural harbour for ships. The area has a history of intrigue and mystery as many of the towns along the shores such as Dungeness & Lydd were used to smuggle alcohol, silks, tobacco, tea and wool out of the country to avoid the taxes levied by the Government on goods leaving England. 

Russell Thorndyke created the mythical character of Dr Syn, in his novel of the same name,   who is remembered in Dymchurch by a pageant on August Bank Holiday weekend every other year.

Also to be found in the area are Martello Towers - artillery towers built in the early 1800's, Derek Jarmen's cottage and garden, Leeds Castle - reputedly the most beautiful in Engalnd, the Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Light Steam Railway and Dungeness RSPB nature reserve.

The Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Steam Railway
The worlds smallest steam railway. It runs 13.5 miles from Hythe to Dungeness stopping at Dymchurch, St Mary's Bay, New Romney, & Romney Sands on the way
www.rhdr.org.uk/rhdr/rhdr.html

Dungeness RSPB Nature Reserve occupies 2,000 acres of    unique peninsula, the largest Shingle formation of its kind in Europe. It is home to a very rich variety of birds and flowers plus other wildlife.

Howletts & Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks
Near Canterbury and near Hythe, Kent
Info Line: 01303 264647 Fax: 01303 264944
www.totallywild.net

The Old Lighthouse at Dungeness was opened by the Prince of Wales on 31st March 1904. This Lighthouse was decommissioned in 1960 and replaced by a New Lighthouse, (still working today). The Old Lighthouse was opened in 1983 to the public as an attraction