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 Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Light Railway.

Hythe is one of the terminals of the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway, the world's smallest public railway, running scale models of steam locomotives. The track runs a parallel course to the coastline passing through the towns of Dymchurch, New Romney and Dungeness, where there is a lighthouse, power station and RSPB National Nature Reserve.

Related Topics:
Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway - Dymchurch - New Romney - Dungeness - RSPB

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The original founders of the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Light Steam Railway were Captain JEP Howey and the count Louis Zborowsky. Something of a hobby the project was begun in 1925, and opened in 1927. The locomotives and trains run on a narrow gauge of 15 inches (380 mm) in width, and the track is nearly 14 miles (23 km) in length.

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During the Second World War the service was taken over by the military and used to transport the secret 'Pluto' pipeline, it now carries children to nearby schools.

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Every two years, Hythe Corporation hosts the Hythe Venetian Fete, when local organisations and individuals create decorated floats which travel up and down the Royal Military Canal.

Related Topics:
Hythe Venetian Fete - Royal Military Canal

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Folkestone and Hythe are represented in Parliament by Conservative Michael Howard, the former Home Secretary, and present Leader of the Conservative Party.

Related Topics:
Folkestone - Conservative - Michael Howard

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