New Romney

New Romney sits at the edge of Romney Marsh, one of the flattest and most distinctive landscapes in England, where wide skies, drainage dykes and grazing marshes stretch out towards the Channel. It is hard to believe today, but this quiet market town was once a thriving medieval harbour and one of the five original Cinque Ports, ranking alongside Dover and Sandwich in importance to the crown. A catastrophic storm in 1287 changed everything, silting up the harbour and diverting the River Rother towards Rye, and the sea gradually retreated until New Romney found itself stranded more than a mile inland.

That strange history has left the town with a character all its own: a compact grid of streets around a handsome medieval church, surrounded on all sides by the marsh that made the region famous for sheep farming. The Romney Marsh breed still grazes the fields nearby, and the flat, quiet terrain has become a magnet for walkers, cyclists and birdwatchers, as well as families drawn by one of Kent''s most loved attractions, the miniature railway that begins its journey right in the centre of town.

Top things to do in New Romney

New Romney and the surrounding marsh pack in a surprising amount for such a small, unassuming town.

• Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway — This much-loved 15-inch gauge miniature railway has one of its main stations in New Romney, with steam and diesel locomotives running the full 13.5-mile line from Hythe through Dymchurch and New Romney to Dungeness. It opened in 1927 and remains a favourite day out for families.
• St Nicholas'' Church — This imposing 12th-century church towers over the town, a legacy of New Romney''s wealthy days as a Cinque Port. Its Norman nave and later medieval additions, along with flood marks recording the 1287 storm, tell the story of the town''s dramatic change in fortune.
• Cinque Ports heritage — As one of the five founding Cinque Ports, New Romney once supplied ships and men for royal service in return for trading privileges. Wandering the old street layout around the church gives a real sense of the town''s former importance as a port.
• Romney Marsh — The vast, flat marshland surrounding the town is a haven for walkers and birdwatchers, criss-crossed by ancient drainage channels called sewers and dotted with isolated medieval churches, sheep pasture and long views to the coast.
• Romney Marsh Visitor Centre — Located nearby, this centre and nature reserve offers information on the marsh''s unique landscape, wildlife and history, along with walking trails across the reserve.
• Dymchurch and Dungeness day trips — New Romney makes a natural base for exploring neighbouring Dymchurch, with its sandy beach and Martello towers, and the otherworldly shingle expanse of Dungeness further along the coast.

Getting to New Romney

New Romney lies on the A259 coast road in Kent, roughly midway between Folkestone and Rye, making it an easy drive from the M20 via Ashford. The nearest mainline railway stations are at Ashford International, which has direct High Speed services to London St Pancras, and from there local buses connect onward to New Romney. The town is also, of course, the terminus of its own famous miniature railway line running along the coast from Hythe.

Best time to visit New Romney

Summer brings the fullest timetable on the miniature railway and the best weather for walking the marsh or visiting nearby beaches at Dymchurch and Greatstone. Spring and early autumn are quieter and ideal for birdwatching on Romney Marsh, when migrating species pass through, while the flat open landscape and big skies make this a rewarding destination for photography at any time of year. Winter is much quieter, with a more limited railway timetable, but the town retains a peaceful, historic charm.

Where to stay in New Romney

Accommodation in and around New Romney tends towards cosy bed and breakfasts, traditional pubs with rooms, and self-catering cottages that make the most of the marsh setting. The town''s small scale means most places to stay are within easy walking distance of the high street and the railway station, while the surrounding villages of Dymchurch, St Mary''s Bay and Greatstone offer further options closer to the beach for those who want sea views alongside their marsh scenery.

Food and drink in New Romney

The Ship Hotel is a 15th-century inn on the high street with a restaurant, conservatory and garden serving classic pub food. The Cinque Ports Arms is a Grade II listed freehouse with roots going back to the 18th century, offering a proper local pub atmosphere. The Plough Inn serves traditional dishes made with locally sourced ingredients, while Romney Spice is the town''s go-to for Indian cuisine. Between them, New Romney''s pubs and restaurants cover everything from a quiet pint after a walk on the marsh to a full Sunday roast.