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 Royal Military Canal

Romney Marsh lies immediately to the west of Hythe. The Royal Military Canal runs across the northern edge of the Marsh, to Winchelsea, along with a series of Martello towers built at the same time along the coast from Folkestone to Seaford. Two of the many (43) towers along this coast survive at Hythe. Geologically the town had developed upon a succession of parallel terraces, rising from the level ground around the Royal Military canal up towards the steep incline upon which the parish church of St Leonard was built.

Related Topics:
Romney Marsh - Royal Military Canal - Winchelsea - Martello towers - Folkestone - Seaford

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A short distance from Stade Street, the old Royal Military canal (intended to help repel a threatened French invasion during the Napoleonic wars (1804-15)), gives central Hythe much of its character. Now shaded by tall trees, the canal, a defensive moat 30 ft (10m) wide passes into the marsh from the middle of the town. From the High Street narrow alleys lead up to the steeper levels of the town.

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