This is a walk of about 10.5 miles, which starts from Lympne, a small village which sits on the edge of the scarp, overlooking the Romney Marsh and English Channel beyond. It’s a good one for a winter walk as a lot is on good paths or tarmac.
Our route commences, by joining the Saxon Shore Way (SSW), to pass beside by St Stephens church & Lympne Castle which adjoins the church. Continuing on the SSW, there are great views to be had of the vista below, before joining a path, to drop down to the Royal Military Canal. On this path there is every chance of seeing animals at Port Lympne Animal Park, especially the giraffes.
On reaching the canal, we turn turn right for a short distance, before heading across fields to Burmarsh and onward to Dymchurch. On this stretch a couple of cropped fields between, could be muddy, but other than that, the other fields are pasture. On reaching the coast, our route joins the England Coast Path along the seawall to Redoubt Fort at the edge of Hythe Ranges. This circuit turns inland for the completion of the walk, across to the canal at West Hyth to ascend Lympne Hill to finish.
The proposed route as described is anti clockwise, but the leader, will look at the wind on the day so it is behind us walking along the coast. We don’t actually go into Dymchurch, but reaching the coast is about halfway in either direction. If the weather is good lunch can be by the sea, otherwise in the church, where there is some shelter. Walking anti-clockwise, we can stop at Unit One or if going clockwise, the Shepherd and Crook at Burmarsh.
Dogs welcome, but on a short lead when required.
Difficulty: Leisurely
Ascent: 390ft
Starting point - Car park at Lympne Village Hall
Nearest postcode: CT21 4LE
Walk leader is Tina Frenett
You may also like the following events from Ashford Ramblers:
