Burmarsh

Burmarsh is a small village and civil parish on Romney Marsh, tucked three miles west of Hythe in the Folkestone and Hythe district of Kent. It sits in one of the oldest reclaimed corners of the Marsh, a flat expanse of sheep-grazed pasture, drainage dykes and sky that has been shaped by centuries of land reclamation stretching back to Roman and medieval times. There is no high street or cluster of shops here, just a scatter of farms and cottages gathered around the village's Norman church, which makes Burmarsh feel more like a hamlet lost in the marsh than a conventional village.

What draws visitors is the setting rather than the place itself: huge horizons, grazing sheep, reed-lined dykes busy with dragonflies and waterfowl, and a sense of quiet that is increasingly rare in the South East. Burmarsh works well as a base for exploring the wider Marsh on foot or by bike, with Hythe, Dymchurch and the Royal Military Canal all within easy reach, and the coast at Dymchurch and St Mary's Bay a short drive away.

Top things to do near Burmarsh

The real appeal of this part of Kent lies in what surrounds Burmarsh rather than what is in the village itself. Within a few miles you will find some of Romney Marsh's best-known landmarks.

• All Saints Church, Burmarsh — A mid-12th-century Norman church built by monks from Canterbury, notable for standing 13ft below sea level, making it the lowest-lying of the Marsh's medieval churches. It has a richly carved Norman doorway and a cracked 14th-century tenor bell still resting on the floor of the tower.
• Royal Military Canal — This 28-mile canal was dug between 1804 and 1809 as a defence against a feared Napoleonic invasion, and its towpath now makes for one of the most peaceful walks in Kent, running along the old cliff line from Hythe towards Appledore and beyond.
• Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway — Known as "the world's smallest public railway", this one-third-scale steam and diesel line runs 13½ miles from Hythe to Dungeness, with a stop at Dymchurch a short drive from Burmarsh.
• Dymchurch beach and village — A traditional seaside village with a long sandy beach backed by a Napoleonic-era sea wall, plus cafes, amusements and the remains of a Martello tower.
• Hythe — A handsome old Cinque Port town with a Norman and medieval church, a canalside promenade, and a good range of independent shops, pubs and restaurants.
• Romney Marsh churches — Burmarsh is one of a string of isolated medieval marsh churches, including those at Newchurch, St Mary in the Marsh and Ivychurch, that reward a slow exploration by bike or car.

Getting to Burmarsh

Burmarsh lies just off the A259 coast road between Hythe and Dymchurch, and is easily reached by car from the M20 (junction 11) via Sellindge and Aldington, or from Folkestone and Hythe along the coast. There is no railway station in the village itself; the nearest mainline stations are Folkestone and Ashford International, both around 20 minutes away by car, with regular high-speed services to London St Pancras. For a more novel arrival, the miniature Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway stops at Dymchurch, a short drive or bike ride from Burmarsh. The village's network of narrow, flat lanes also makes it popular with cyclists exploring the wider Marsh.

Best time to visit Burmarsh

Spring and early summer bring the Marsh to life, with lambs in the fields, wildflowers along the dyke banks and dragonflies over the Royal Military Canal. Summer is best for combining a visit with the beaches at Dymchurch and St Mary's Bay, and for the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway's full timetable. Autumn brings dramatic skies and migrating birds to the Marsh's wetlands, while winter has its own stark appeal, with low light over the grazing marshes and quiet churches, though many seasonal attractions nearby will be closed.

Where to stay near Burmarsh

Burmarsh itself has very little in the way of visitor accommodation, so most people base themselves in nearby Hythe or Dymchurch, both of which offer a range of hotels, guest houses and self-catering cottages, or look further afield to Ashford or Folkestone. Camping and glamping options are dotted across Romney Marsh and the surrounding countryside, making the most of the big skies and dark, quiet nights that define this landscape.

Food and drink near Burmarsh

Burmarsh has no shop or pub of its own, so visitors head into Dymchurch or Hythe for food and drink. Dymchurch has a handful of traditional seaside cafes, chip shops and pubs geared towards day-trippers and beach visitors. Hythe offers a wider choice, from waterside pubs along the Royal Military Canal to independent cafes and restaurants along its high street, making it the best nearby option for a proper meal out after a day exploring the Marsh.