It’s the perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon with its blue flag beach, promenade, arcades, amusement park and traditional English fish and chips
It’s the ultimate spot for a “quintessentially” British day out by the sea. Boasting three miles of golden sands that are soft underfoot, this Kent coastal village also has a lively high street with an abundance of fish and chip shops and loads of ice cream to enjoy.
While a ‘beach day’ might not be in your diaries there’s nothing better than a coastal walk. Affectionately deemed by one visitor as a “traditional British seaside village”, Dymchurch lies along the edges of Romney Marsh.
Just a stone’s throw away from Hythe – crowned the ‘best value seaside holiday destination in the UK’ two years back – Dymchurch may not be picture-perfect, but it’s home to an array of shops, pubs, and eateries, and comes to life during peak season.
In 2024, the beach won a Seaside Award from Keep Britain Tidy. But there is troubling news: the Environment Agency has recently lowered the water quality rating from sufficient to poor due to heightened levels of bacteria such as E.Coli, resulting in the loss of its Blue Flag status, reports Kent Live.
This comes with a word of caution—visitors are recommended not to swim in the waters. On a brighter note, the fine sand is ideal for making sandcastles, indulging in beach games, searching for charming shells, or just lounging on your towel.
Plus, when the tide recedes, there’s all the more space for a lengthy stroll.
The promenade is also a hit, being wheelchair and pushchair friendly. Then there’s the Dymchurch Amusement Park, which boasts a solid four out of five stars on Tripadvisor after 440 reviews.
One chuffed visitor shared: “What an excessively twee and ‘quintessentially English’ morning out. This is where the British go out for the day on their hols – there’s candy floss, waffles and cheap but entertaining rides for the little ones.”
They added: “Arcades full of 2p machines. Worth stopping by and would recommend! Loved it and so did my toddler. Dogs allowed to hang out too which is a nice touch.”
For those keen on exploring, just off the main street lies the Martello Tower, standing guard over the beach. It might not win any beauty contests, and you’ll need to arrange your visit in advance.
The tower was erected in the early 1800s during the Napoleonic Wars as part of the defences against a potential French invasion and is now under the care of English Heritage. Another local gem is the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway, connecting Hythe with Dungeness.
A fixture in the Romney Marsh since 1927, it’s affectionately known as Kent’s “mainline in miniature”, operating at one third the size of a standard steam and diesel locomotive.
It cheerfully makes its way along the 13-and-a-half-mile track from Hythe, culminating in the National Nature Reserve at Dungeness. It’s a hit with the kids, but be sure to check the timetable before you go.
There are four stations in between, all within walking distance of a beach, so you can hop on board and visit other places along the line. Waiting to be explored are coastal and countryside walks, wildlife and flora, cycle rides, medieval churches and iconic lighthouses.
The base is at New Romney and more information and ticket prices can be found here. Dymchurch might not seem inspiring when the weather’s dismal, but when the sun starts shining, and the temperatures rise, it becomes one of the best spots on the Kent coast.
Dog walking
The dog walking season concludes on April 30. From then, dogs are not permitted on Dymchurch beach until October 1.
Where to park
Parking for the beach is available near Martello Tower, costing £3.60 for two hours and a 10-minute walk to the beach. There’s also parking at Dymchurch Central, which costs £12 for all-day parking and is a convenient three-minute walk with easy access.