Walking Britain

Kent Walk
Dungeness & Romney Marsh

County/Area - Kent

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 7.5 miles / 12.2 km Ascent - 50 feet / 15 metres

Time - 3 hours 50 minutes Grade - easy/mod

Maps

Ordnance Survey Explorer 125	Sheet Map	1:25k	BUY
Anquet OS Explorer 125	Digital Map	1:25k	BUY
Ordnance Survey Landranger 189	Sheet Map	1:50k	BUY
Anquet OS Landranger 189	Digital Map	1:50k	BUY

Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Dungeness & Romney Marsh

Click image to see photo description.

Dungeness is a unique British landscape. One of the largest expanses of shingle in the world the area has a desolate feel yet is home to interesting plant and bird life. Adding to the interest is the modern lighthouse and the one it replaced. The walk also passes the nuclear power station and offers the chance to take a steam train on the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway!

The start is the car park (grid ref. TR089169). After parking it is worthwhile acquainting yourself with the key features - including the lighthouses, railway and nuclear power station! From the car park walk west towards the boundary of the power station to turn right towards Romney Marsh. Take the marked footpath heading roughly northwest across Denge Beach. It's shingle underfoot and quite hard going but do persevere. The prominent plant here is sea kale with its large fleshy cabbage-like leaves.

The footpath leads you to Boulderwall Farm (grid ref. TR06196) where you turn left onto a grass path through the RSPB reserve heading southwest through the marshland. If you take your time you will see many birds and a pair of binoculars are useful. The path reaches a track (grid ref. TR054180). Turn left along this track towards the sea. It is worth mentioning the area now on your right is the Lydd Ranges. Do be careful if you find any munitions and report your sightings to the police.

Continue down the track, which bears right to lead down to the Boundary Tower near the beach (grid ref. TR064166). Turn left along the beach and continue past the power station as you return to Dungeness. For part of the way there is a tarmac driveway behind the beach which makes walking a lot easier. Continue as far as the new lighthouse, using the boardwalk to regain solid ground! The car park is a short distance to your left.

Other walks nearby

Walk 3756	Rye Harbour Circular	easy	6.0 miles
Walk 1899	Royal Military Canal - Cliff End to Seabrook	hard	29.0 miles
Walk 3521	Wittersham to Rye (High Weald Landscape Trail)	easy/mod	7.5 miles
Walk 2923	Folkestone to Dover along the North Downs Way	easy/mod	8.2 miles
Walk 3617	The Wye Downs and Crundale	easy/mod	6.0 miles

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