Hythe marks the South-Western edge of the Romney Marshes, a terminal station on the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch railway, the starting point of the Royal Military Canal, one of the original Cinque Ports and now a popular sea-side resort that marks the start of the wide bay ending at Dungeness.

The History Of Hythe: Two Thousands Years

Hythe has arguably prospered more than any other village on village on the Marshes in recent years but still retains many hints of its rich and diverse history, including a Roman fort, two nearby castles, a Saxon/Norman church, medieval and Georgian buildings and memorials to many famous past residents and of course the Royal Military Canal built to repel Napoleonic invasion is still a major feature of the town.

The ancient history of Hythe can be seen most visibily by the two castles and a Roman fort built to defend the region. Port Lemanis at Stutfall (dating back to the 3rd century) while Saltwood and Lympe castles sit on the escarpment that once overlooked a large bay and river that surrounded the town and made Hythe a natural landing point for early settlers to Great Britain - notably the Romans. Testimony to this can be found to this day, with the name Hythe meaning 'Landing place' in Saxon.

The first hard documentary evidence of Hythe is found in the charters of William 1st (the Conqueror) (166AD to 1087AD) and is mentioned in the Doomsday survey of 1085AD. When the Cinque Ports were granted royal charters in 1278, Hythe was one of the original members indicating its significance and stature at the time as a major economic port on the South Coast of England - running a close second to Southhampton and the then channel port of Romney as nationally important trading centres.

Like its then sister ports on the Romney Marshes, Romney and Rye, Hythe was subject to long-shore drift and continuous battering from coastal storms that reshaped the entire coastline and from the 13th century onwards its townsfolk fought a losing battle with the sea resulting in the harbour regularly silting up. In desperate but ultimately futile efforts to save the harbour, it was regularly dregged but eventually became so silted up it could no longer function and by the 17th century the harbour was gone - a map of the town dated 1685 shows no indication of the once mighty port.

By the 18th century, the town had lost its lifeblood as a trading centre but found a new role as a key bastion in the defense of the South Coast against napoleonic invasion. The Martello Towers - built in the 17th century - run from Seaford to Hythe and a provided 43 mini-castles fortified against Canon fire to pound Napoleonic ships should they approach while the Royal Military Canal, which starts Hythe and runs for 26 miles around the Romney Marsh , was built to provide a defensive line should enemy forces land. Supporting these military structures was a military garision based in the town, with one of the countries first riffle training camps established here (The Army School of Musketry in Hythe). With the influx of troops, engineers and craftsman to build these military works Hythe once again prospered.

St Leonard's Church, Hythe: One Thousands Years and the wall of skulls

St Leonard's church is one of the most impressive parish churches in Kent, with a history dating back over 1000 years. The original Norman church, built about 1090, featured aisle-less nave and a small square-ended Chancel. Evidence this construction can be seen in the two round-headed windows at the western end of the north arcade. During the Norman period (approx. 1175) further construction took place with arches added to the the north and south to open the aisles were. The overall shape now became cruciform with the addition of north and south transepts while a new chancel was built around the earlier one. In the 13th century, a west tower was added, and a stunning choir and santuary replacing the original Norman versions.

At this point, perhaps the most famous element of the church was added. The chancel floor was raised and a vaulted passage, or Ambulatory, constructed underneath the sanctuary. For hundreds of years this passage was used as a bone-house, used to hold an immense collection of mediaeval skulls and bones, which had been disinterred as fresh graves were dug. In total approximately 8000 thigh bones and 500 skulls have been stored¹ and are now on display at the church.

Famous Residents

Like other towns on the Romney Marshes, the unique atmosphere of the area, wonderful views and tranquility have attracted many artists and writers over the years, including H. G. Wells, Elizabeth Owen and Daphine du Maurier lived in the town; more recently Julian Clary and Paul O'Grady are both residents.

Several inventors have also resided in Hythe; including the inventor of the lifeboat Lionel Lukin and Francis Pettit Smith, inventor of the marine screw propeller Charles Wakefield - founder of the Castrol Oil Company also lived here.

Attractions, pubs and places to visit in Hythe

• Port Lympne Wild Animal Park - Four hundred-acre wild animal park with Indian elephants, tigers, lions, snow leopards & black rhinos

• Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway - 'World's Smallest Public Railway'

• Pubs:

  • Botolphs Bridge: Superb pub, great staff, real ale, nice atmosphere. Lower Wall Road, West Hythe Hythe,

    CT21 4NN. t: 01303 267346

  • Britannia Inn: Good quality pub in Hythe. 26 Horn Street, Hythe, CT21 5SR. t: 01303 238502

  • The Globe Inn, highly regarded local with a good range of real ales. 6-8 High Street, Hythe.

• Other nearby attractions

Places to stay in Hythe

Hotels:

The White Heart, 71 High Street, Hythe, T: 01303 263121

Hythe Imperial, Princes Parade, Hythe, T: 01303 267441

Bed 'n' Breakfast:

The Coach House, Shepway Cottage, Lympne Hill, Hythe, T: 01303 265 036

Douglas Avenue, 3 Douglas Avenue, Hythe, T: 01303 2690103

References:

1: http://www.stleonardschurchhythekent.org/History/HouseofBones.html

Last update: 05-01-2009 14:25