Page 79 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - England's South Coast

KENT AND SUSSEX  77

r Deal the 1180s, when Henry II first England. Until Roman times
built the keep, right up to World the area was entirely covered
Kent. Map F1. * 33,000. 3 @
n Town Hall, High St; 01304 369576. War II, when it served as the by sea at high tide. Over time,
( Wed, Fri & Sat. ∑ deal.gov.uk command post for the Dunkirk the marshes were gradually
evacuation. Exhibits in the castle reclaimed from the sea, forming
The town of Deal is full of and the labyrinth of tunnels dug an expanse of wetlands and
historic maritime associations: during the Napoleonic Wars (see boggy, fertile fields particularly
it is thought this is where Julius p37) cover all these periods. suitable for the Romney
Caesar made the first Roman Marsh sheep, bred for the
landing in England in 55 BC, + Dover Castle quality of their wool.
and it was a major naval base Castle Hill. Tel 01304 211067. Ideal for easy walking and
up to the time of Nelson. The Open mid-Feb–Mar: 10am–4pm cycling, the flat marshes are
hazardous Goodwin Sands Wed–Sun; Apr–Sep: 10am–6pm daily; also full of birdlife, and the
sandbank offshore meant Oct: 10am–5pm daily; Nov–mid-Feb: Visitor Centre has detailed
that Deal’s sailors needed to 10am–4pm Sat & Sun. Closed 1 Jan information on bird-watching
be especially skilful, but they & 24–26 Dec. & 8 of tunnels. routes. The tiny marsh villages
were also notorious smugglers. 7 limited. - = œ ∑ english- have unusual medieval
Today, the 18th-century Old heritage.org.uk churches, some built with
Town has plenty of charm, with separate towers to prevent the
enjoyable pubs and restaurants, buildings from sinking into the
and there’s a huge shingle soft soil. One of the best ways
beach with a modern pier that to see the area is by steam train.
is perfect for strolling and fishing. Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch
Two fortresses – massive Deal Light Railway, opened in 1927,
Castle in the middle of the runs down the east side of
beach and Walmer Castle further the marsh from Hythe.
south – were built by Henry VIII
in the 1540s to ward off invaders.  Romney, Hythe &
Dymchurch Light Railway
+ Deal Castle Hythe Station. Tel 01797 362353.
Marine Rd. Tel 01304 372762. 7 - = ∑ rhdr.org.uk
Open Apr–Sep: 10am–6pm daily;
Oct: 10am–5pm daily; Nov–Mar: The stunning white cliffs of Dover Environs
10am–4pm Sat & Sun. Closed 1 Jan towering over the English Channel At the end of the steam
& 24–26 Dec. & 7 limited. = œ railway line, but standing
∑ english-heritage.org.uk apart from Romney Marsh,
y Romney Marsh
+ Walmer Castle is the lonely Dungeness
Kingsdown Rd. Tel 01304 364288. Kent. Map E2. 3 Ashford, Folkestone. headland. An almost desert-
Open mid-Feb–Mar: 10am–4pm @ Hythe. n Dymchurch Rd, like spit of shingle, which
Wed–Sun; Apr–Sep: 10am–6pm daily; New Romney; 01797 369487. formed an island before the
Oct: 10am–5pm daily; Nov–mid-Feb: Open Apr–Oct: 10am–5pm daily; draining of the marshes, it
10am–4pm Sat & Sun. Closed 1 Jan Nov–Mar: 10am–4pm Wed–Sun. has a nuclear power station
& 24–26 Dec & - = œ ∑ theromneymarsh.net and a lighthouse. Dungeness
∑ english-heritage.org.uk is also a nature conservation
Vast flat horizons and the area, with a unique range of
constant presence of wind plants, insects and birds. The
t Dover and water make the 260 sq km village here is one of the most
(100 sq miles) of Romney eccentric in the area, with some
Kent. Map F2. * 32,000. 3 @ g
n Dover Museum, Market Sq; 01304 Marsh a pleasant retreat in houses made from driftwood
201066. ( Tue. ∑ whitecliffs densely populated southern and old railway coaches.
country.org.uk
Its proximity to France makes
Dover the leading port for
cross-Channel travel, whether
by ferry or the nearby Channel
Tunnel at Folkestone. Its famous
white cliffs are an iconic British
landmark. Dover’s strategic
position and harbour has meant
it has had an important military
role. Built on the site of an earlier
Saxon fort, Dover Castle helped
defend the English coast from A Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Light Railway steam train stopping in Dungeness

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