Hythe, Kent

The small seaside resort and town of Hythe, in the District of Shepway, (derived from ship-way) is one of the five original Cinque Ports on the south coast of Kent, in England. Although it is beside a broad bay on the English Channel, four miles to the west of Folkestone, silting of the coast has removed any sign of its port and harbour.

The 11th century parish church of St Leonard

The large 11th century church can be found high above the town, some way up the hill; the tower at its eastern end was destroyed by an earth tremor in 1739 and restored in 1750.

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The chancel, dating from 1220, covers a processional ossuary – a bone store, more commonly found on the continent – lined with 200 skulls and 8,000 thighbones. They date from the medieval period, probably having been stored after removal, to make way for new graves. This was a common practice in England during the period but bones were usually dispersed, and this is thus a rare collection.

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Lionel Lukin credited with the invention of the lifeboat, is buried in the parish church yard of Hythe.

Related Topics:
Lionel Lukin - Lifeboat

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