Overview

For families with budding train enthusiasts then take a ride on the Romney, Hythe, and Dymchurch Railway. This picturesque line runs from the Cinque Port town of Hythe, through Dymchurch, then towards the railway’s headquarters at New Romney before finally reaching the National Nature Reserve of Dungeness. An excellent attraction for families to explore the beautiful countryside by train.

Things to do

The Romney, Hythe, and Dymchurch Railway is a popular tourist attraction in Kent, offering a unique experience of years of steam railway heritage combined with picturesque countryside. Offering six stations along the track that stretch over 13 miles across the beautiful Romney Marsh to Dungeness, a National Nature Reserve.

The journey usually starts at the station in the charming town of Hythe and takes just over an hour to complete the entire trip to Dungeness. However, passengers can get off at any station to explore the nearby attractions. For instance, a five-minute walk at Dymchurch will take families to the village centre where visitors can enjoy the children’s amusement park, shops, cafes, and sandy beach. Then visit the Model Railway Exhibition, museum, and children’s play area at New Romney Station. There are cafes at each of these main stations and special events are held throughout the year.

The railway has the largest complete collection of one-third full-sized steam locomotives worldwide so has been attracting crowds since it opened in 1927. The railway station at Hythe is easily accessible from Sandling, the closest mainline service. Sandling is just two miles away, where visitors can walk 40 minutes downhill or take a 10-minute bus connection. For more information, please visit the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway website.

Food & Drink

The Hythe Coffee Shop offers a variety of hot and cold beverages, sandwiches, snacks, cakes, and sweets when train services are operating. There are indoor and outdoor tables available for customers to enjoy. Moreover, dogs are welcome in the Hythe Coffee Shop.

The Heywood Buffet in New Romney Station serves delicious hot meals, breakfasts, sandwiches, jacket potatoes, sausage and bacon baguettes, cakes, snacks, confectionery, and hot or cold beverages. The buffet is open every day from Saturday 25th March. Additionally, dogs are welcome in the Conservatory (Heywood Buffet side).

The End of the Line Restaurant, located in Dungeness, offers a variety of hot meals, including their famous fish and chips, as well as full English breakfasts, sandwiches, snacks, cakes, and hot or cold beverages. Customers can enjoy their meals in the bistro area and garden. The End of the Line Restaurant also welcomes dogs.

The Bar Car “Gladys” is the most popular Heritage Coach. It is perfect for small groups of family or friends who wish to travel together and enjoy a drink or two along the way. A selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, hot drinks, and snacks are available to purchase onboard. An attendant is present in the Bar Car.