Visit this peaceful 'hidden gem' seaside town 2 hours away from London
The picturesque seaside town of Hythe in Kent is only accessible by car, making it a peaceful oasis from coastal towns with bustling train stations.
Despite not being accessible by train, Hythe is just a two-hour drive from London via the M20.
The small town is prized for its impressive high street, walks and views of the sea and countryside, offering the best of both worlds.
Why you should visit the Kent seaside town of Hythe
Hythe might be small in size, but it is still mighty, offering a wide range of activities and things to enjoy.
On the Folkestone and Hythe website, the old market town is described as having a "quintessential English High Street".
Adding that it is filled with "historic old buildings, independent shops, cafes and pubs" all just a short walk away from the stunning stone pebble beach.
Shops along the high street include Obidosh, selling a range of boutique items and homeware, gift shop WOW and antique shop The Malthouse.
Hythe is also a great place if you're a fan of charity shopping with several stores along the high street, including the Pilgrims Hospices, Demelza, British Red Cross, Barnardo's and more.
The small Kent town will not leave you hungry, with plenty of restaurants, cafes and pubs to enjoy like The Truffle Pig, The Lazy Shack on the seafront, Star Cafe and Bistro, and The White Hart pub.
For fans of walking, Hythe is a great spot to visit, with the walk along the Royal Military Canal offering a reconnection with nature.
Or you can take a short drive to the Brockhill Country Park that dates back to the Norman times and has a waterfall, a lake, meadows, a picnic and play area, along with an on-site cafe.
Hythe beach is a great place to enjoy a dip in the sea with areas designated for swimming and in 2024, the water quality was rated excellent.
From May 1 to September 30 of each year, the beach has restrictions on dogs, with all dogs required to be on leads at all times.
Despite Hythe only being accessible by car, there is a train station, with the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway.
The railway has been open since 1927 and is known as "Kent's Mainline in Miniature", using one-third full-size steam & diesel locomotives to ferry guests to the seaside.
You can find out more about the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway via the website.
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For places to stay, Hythe Imperial Hotel is very popular and on the seafront, with a bar and golf course on site.
You can also book rooms in the likes of The Swan Hotel, The Red Lion or The Old Post Office Guest House just off the high street.
There are also several guest houses along the seafront available to rent, including Secret Hythe and The Beach Escapes.
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