Visit nature’s heritage coast
Immerse yourself in the Kent Downs and discover biological sites of special scientific interest in Lympne and Etchinghill. Spend your morning taking in the spectacular views across Folkestone, walking around Creteway Down. Part of Creteway Down is a Site of Special Scientific Interest of European importance for wildlife, especially orchids. After lunch, explore two more wildlife and heritage havens. There are wonderful places to eat and stay from afternoon tea at Port Lympne to traditional English Fayre at a country pub.
- 1 day
- Folkestone
Itinerary details
Here's a taste of your next experience.
Visit nature’s heritage coast
Immerse yourself in the Kent Downs and discover biological sites of special scientific interest in Lympne and Etchinghill. Spend your morning taking in the spectacular views across Folkestone, walking around Creteway Down. Part of Creteway Down is a Site of Special Scientific Interest of European importance for wildlife, especially orchids. After lunch, explore two more wildlife and heritage havens. There are wonderful places to eat and stay from afternoon tea at Port Lympne to traditional English Fayre at a country pub.
Creteway Down – six thousand year old footpath
Enjoy the spectacular views across Folkestone at Creteway Down. The North Downs Way National Trail follows the crest of the hill, on a route that is thought it be thousands of years old. Dogs are welcome.
Creteway Down
Port Lympne restaurants
There are a number of restaurants to choose from at Port Lympne. The team use locally sourced ingredients, to provide a range of dishes including Sunday roasts, afternoon teas and wood-fired pizza.
Port Lympne restaurants
Discover Lyminge Forest or walk part of the Royal Military Canal
Lyminge Forest provides valuable habitat for wildlife within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There are two walking routes that are well-surfaced, with no stiles.
The Royal Military Canal stretches for 28 miles, boarding the Romney Marsh from Hythe in the north east to Cliff End in the south west. It’s a haven for some special wildlife, including kingfishers, dragonflies and marsh frogs.
Lyminge ForestThe Royal Military Canal
Port Lympne restaurants or The Gatekeeper Inn
There are a number of restaurants to choose from at Port Lympne. The team use locally sourced ingredients, to provide a range of dishes including Sunday roasts, afternoon teas and wood-fired pizza.
The Gatekeeper Inn in Etchingham, offers the very best fresh seasonal produce. The menu includes wild boar and apple sausages, ‘catch of the day and Kentish cheeseboard.
Port Lympne restaurantsThe Gatekeeper Inn
Beachborough Park B&B
Beachborough Park offers self-contained B&B (£) accommodation in a quiet rural setting, with easy access to the North Downs Way National Trail and close to the seaside towns of Hythe and Folkestone.
Beachborough Park B&BTravel
Train – Folkestone train station is the nearest station. However, it’s not walkable to Port Lympne. You can get a bus from Folkestone to Port Lympne.
Bus – Port Lympne Animal Park is the nearest bus stop. The bus routes nearby include 10.
Parking – there is a car park at Port Lympne Animal Park.