New Romney

New Romney''s hotels and guesthouses reflect its unhurried, small-town character, with most options set around the historic high street a short stroll from St Nicholas'' Church and the miniature railway station. Expect traditional inns with rooms above the bar, family-run guesthouses, and a handful of B&Bs in period buildings that hint at the town''s medieval past as a working port. It is a good base for exploring Romney Marsh at a gentle pace, with easy access by road or the RH&DR line to Hythe, Dymchurch and Dungeness.

Because New Romney itself is compact, many visitors also look slightly further afield to the surrounding marsh villages, where coastal options at Dymchurch, St Mary''s Bay and Greatstone add sea views and beach access to the mix while still keeping the town and its railway within easy reach. Whichever you choose, the flat terrain makes walking and cycling between accommodation and attractions straightforward, and the area''s quiet roads suit a relaxed, low-key break rather than a fast-paced city stay.

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.

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.

Romney Marsh is one of the most distinctive places to camp in Kent, an immense flat expanse of grazing land, drainage dykes and big open skies stretching from New Romney towards Dungeness and the coast. As with anywhere in England, wild camping is illegal without the landowner''s express permission, so pitch only at a licensed campsite, caravan park or with a farmer''s consent. The marsh''s low, exposed terrain means weather can change quickly, and sites here tend to be well used to coastal winds, so a sturdy tent or a static caravan pitch is a sensible choice outside the height of summer.

The best season for camping around New Romney runs from late spring through to early autumn, when long daylight hours suit exploring the marsh by bike or on foot, and the nearby beaches at Dymchurch and Greatstone are at their most inviting. The flat, largely traffic-free lanes crossing the marsh are ideal for family cycling between campsites, the miniature railway and the coast, while birdwatchers will find spring and autumn migration particularly rewarding on the reserve at the Romney Marsh Visitor Centre.

For those who prefer a more comfortable base, glamping options in the area range from static caravans and shepherd''s huts to safari tents, offering a way to enjoy the marsh''s wide horizons and quiet, dark skies without full camping kit. Given the area''s popularity in peak summer weeks, especially with the railway drawing family visitors, booking ahead is strongly advised for both traditional pitches and glamping stays. Whatever the choice, the combination of marshland scenery, historic Cinque Port heritage and the novelty of the miniature railway makes camping near New Romney a memorable and unusual base for a Kent holiday.