Experience RHDR Dungeness to Littlestone Coastal Route
Start your itinerary by the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway and explore the vast shingle desert headland, wood cabins and the thriving wildlife. From shingle to sand there's so much to explore along the coast.
- 1 day
- Dungeness
Itinerary details
Here's a taste of your next experience.
Experience RHDR Dungeness to Littlestone Coastal Route
Start your itinerary by the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway and explore the vast shingle desert headland, wood cabins and the thriving wildlife. From shingle to sand there's so much to explore along the coast.
Dungeness to Littlestone: Shingle and Sand Walking Route
Start your walking route by the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch railway either by parking your car nearby for free or taking the RHDR railway.
Dungeness is one of the largest expanses of shingle in the World and is classified as Britain’s only desert by the Met Office. Take a look around the vast stretch of shingle beach before heading to The Old Lighthouse for your first itinerary spot.
Dungeness to Littlestone: Shingle and Sand
The Old Lighthouse
Take a look around The Old Lighthouse which has provided 56 years of landlight to vessels overcoming the perils of the English Channel.
It was opened back in 1904 by His Royal Majesty the Prince of Wales and has since survived two world wars before it was decommissioned in 1960.
The building is 46 metres high with circular concrete stairs hugging the walls all the way to the top of the weather vane.
Britannia Inn
Did you know that The Britannia Inn is the only pub that is located in a desert in the U.K? This pub is a great stop for lunch as it it is only 2 minutes walk from the beach and is close to both the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway and the two Dungeness lighthouses.
The renowned pub and restaurant serves locally caught fish and chips as well as some other delicious home-cooked food.
Prospect Cottage
Take a look inside the wonderful works of Derek Jarmans creative cottage – famous for his film making, art and gardening – a sanctuary and workspace of one of Britain’s most iconic creative figures.
Derek moved to Dungeness in 1986 where the cottage became a source of inspiration to all who visited and a creative hub where his artistic practices and collaborators came together.
*Pre-booking is essential – head to the link below to book your space (a maximum of four visitors per time slot).
Prospect Cottage
Greatstone Beach
Greatstone is a great place for a pit-stop on your walking route. With 2-miles of sandy beach stretching from north to south frequently ‘washed’ by the tide of the English Channel – it’s a site not to miss on a calm day.
*Please not that if you are taking dogs there are two sections of the beach that are closed for the summer months between 1st May – 30th September.
Greatstone Beach
Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway
New Romney Station is the headquarters of the railway with 8 and a half miles by train from Hythe station and 5 miles by train from Dungeness station.
This little train is a unique experience not to miss – combining years of steam railway heritage with some of Kent’s stunning countryside, it is no surprise that it is one of Kent’s top tourist attractions.
*Check the last train time on your journey back as these can vary depending on what date you travel.
Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch RailwayTravel
Arriving: Explore this area by either parking by the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch railway at Dungeness or travelling on the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch railway from either Hythe, Dymchurch, St Mary’s Bay, New Romney or Romney Sands.
Departing: On your journey home you can take the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch railway back to your destination. * Make sure to check train times before you set off.