Take an easy going walk along the tranquil Royal Military Canal taking in the area’s diverse wildlife, birdlife and plantlife.  Setting out from West Hythe, you can choose from a shorter route up to Palmarsh bridge before crossing the bridge and retracing your route back to West Hythe or continue along the towpath and along a quiet country lane to reach Hythe – the starting point of the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch steam railway.

Let off some steam!

On days when the trains are running, you are likely to see a spot of steam from the heritage trains heading towards the canal – this is a wonderful reminder of the historical bygone age of canal and steam power – days which are long gone! The railway, the dream of millionaire racing drivers, Captain J.E.P. Howey and Count Louis Zborowski, was built in the 1920s and later extended to its current route, which runs to Dungeness.

The Royal Military Canal was built between 1805-1809 as a defensive structure designed to protect against possible invasion by Napoleon’s Army. Such an attack never happened, however the canal still acts as an essential form of irrigation providing drainage to much of the surrounding marshland.

After stopping off at the station cafe for some light refreshment you can walk back to West Hythe along the other side of the canal. You’ll see a working model of a sound mirror on your way back near to Palmarsh Bridge.

The Royal Military Canal is 28 miles long and forms the long distance Royal Military Canal walking route