The Dungeness Estate
A must visit for all our guests!
A brisk 15 minute walk away or 2 minutes in the car, the estate is unique in it’s landscape and atmosphere. It is home to many artists and their studios, a mystic shop, the railway, lifeboat station, lighthouses, prospect cottage, active and abandoned fishing boats and some fantastic light for the keen photographer. Many films and pop videos have been shot here and Dungeness seems to be on TV almost every week in one thing or another.
National Nature Reserve
(on our doorstep front and rear)
Dungeness has been designated as a National Nature Reserve (NNR), Special Protection Area (SPA) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). It is home to 600 species of plants which is a third of all plants found in the UK. The National Nature Reserve stretches across Dungeness to encompass the vast RSPB reserve and is intended to help protect the landscape and its wildlife.
The beach in front of Castaways is perfect for beachcombing and shell collecting. Wonder out onto the sand with one of our rakes and a bucket and collect a free feast of very tasty cockles (Simon will cook them for you as you like but he recommends with white wine, home grown parsley, a squidge of garlic and smidge of chilli….lovely with crusty bread).
Dungeness Bird Observatory (5 minutes drive)
The Dungeness Bird Observatory aims to share information about the natural history of Dungeness and has be running for over 50 years. The observatory run a website for people to access information on flora and fauna which is updated daily.
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Reserve and Visitor Centre (5 minutes drive)
The RSPB center at Dungeness is the third largest visitor centers in the UK. It has superb facilities and a large number of hides and a great few hours for the whole family.The RSPB reserve is important for many migrant birds and a haven for breeding and wintering birds. The RSPB manages the reserve not only for birds but for the many plants and invertebrates that make their home there. There are hides, nature trails and a visitor center. To find out more information about this and details of the visitor center visit the RSPB website.
Lifeboat Station (3 minutes drive)
The lifeboat station at Dungeness is home to the RNLI’s ‘Pride and Spirit’ lifeboat, which regularly assists those in distress at sea off the coast of Dungeness. There are events at the station throughout the year visit the station website for more information.
Old Lighthouse (both 3 minutes)
A trip up the old lighthouse should be compulsory for all visitors to Dungeness. The views from the top are fantastic!
The Old lighthouse is a Historic Grade II building and was opened by the Prince of Wales in 1904. If you would like to visit from April to October or find out more information your can visit the Old Lighthouse website.
Trinity House
The new lighthouse at Dungeness was officially bought into operation in November 1961. This lighthouse is unusual as the whole tower has been flood lit, this has been shown to reduce the bird mortality rate. The lighthouse is not open to visitors but if you want to find out more you can visit the Trinity House website.
Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway
The charming miniature steam trains run directly behind our property, Dungeness station is a 5 minute drive away.
The Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway terminates at Dungeness and is a popular tourist attraction for the region. This narrow gauge railway was built in 1927 and claimed to be the smallest railway in the world. The track was extended from New Romney to Dungeness in 1928, where there is now a café and gift shop at the holt. To find out more visit the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway website.
Power Stations (5 minutes)
Have a look over the shingle behind our property at night and see the alien city that is the lights of Dungeness Power station. EDF have recently opened a new visitors center. Visitors are given an introductory talk about how the station operates, before being given a guided tour through selected parts of the plant.
To book a visit contact the station via: dungenessBtours@edf-energy.com or call 01797 343728 – 01797 343728
Prospect Cottage (3 mins drive, 20 minutes walk)
Derek Jarman (1942-1994) was an English film director who made a famous garden on the shingle shore near Dungeness nuclear power station. Jarman believed that the Pilot Inn, nearby, provides “Simply the finest fish and chips in all England”. The garden design style is postmodern and highly context-sensitive – a complete rejection of modernist design theory. He disliked the sterility of modernism; he despised its lack of interest in poetry, allusion and stories; he deplored the techno-cruelty exemplified in Dr. D. G. Hessayon’s ‘How to be an expert’ series of garden books. Jarman’s small circles of flint reminded him of standing stones and dolmens. He remarked that ‘Paradise haunts gardens, and some gardens are paradises. Mine is one of them. Others are like bad children, spoilt by their parents, over-watered and covered with noxious chemicals.’
Dungeness Fish Hut (5 mins)
Fresh fish directly from the local fishing boats….it doesn’t get any fresher!
We will gladly refrigerate or freeze your purchases until you depart or if you like and Simon is free, we will cook it for you for your tea!
Go into Dungeness estate and we are the first hut on the sea side of the road half a mile past the lifeboat station and quarter of a mile before the new light house.
Tel 0783 7752994– 0783 7752994
The Pilot Pub ( The best fish and chips in England according to someone famous!) 2 minute drive, 15 minute walk)
As well as parking and fine views The Pilot offers real ale and is well know for its local fish and chips. The Pilot is said to have been built in the 17th century from the remains of a Spanish ship looted by local smugglers. You can find out more at The Pilot’s website. Castaway guests receive 10% discount on your meals at the Pilot.
M & M Richardson (3 mins)
This family owned fish supplier have run a fish shop for over 70 years. Their fresh fish is caught by local Dungeness boats. To find out more you can visit their website.
Port Lympne wild animal park (25 minutes drive)
Take the safari bus through the African savanna! See the gorillas, big cats and much much more. A recommended day out for everyone (lots of walking involved!)
Romney Marsh countryside project visitors center (10 mins drive)
The visitors center will keep you entertained for about an hour. Here you will find details on current countryside activities in the Romney Marsh area as well as information about the Romney Marsh and the role of the Countryside Project. Look out for the Laughing Frog!!
The Romney Marsh Countryside Project was set up in June 1996, a sister project to the White Cliffs Countryside Project. The project aims to care for the special landscape and wildlife of the Romney Marsh and Dungeness. We aim to encourage people to enjoy and understand the countryside through guided walks, cycle rides, countryside events and children’s activities.
http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/reserves/romney-marsh-visitor-centre
Rare breeds Center (25 mins away)
A perfect day out for the young family. Set within 100 acres of beautiful unspoilt Kent countryside. With lots of fun things to do and see they offer a perfect young family day out. Don’t forget the packed lunch (restaurant on site also). Great play areas as well and aerial runway!)
Action Watersports (10 minutes Drive)
A fantastic selection of activities with excellent facilities:
Kite surfing and land yachting (2 and 15 minutes away)
Castaways is right on the beach, you can kite surf almost from our front door!
http://www.thekitesurfcentre.com/kitesurfing-lessons-greatstone
Dymchurch (15 minutes drive away)
Dymchurch is a popular seaside resort, complete with holiday camp, caravan parks, light railway station and amusement park.
One of the major attractions of the village must surely be the beautiful sandy beach. Awarded a “Tidy Britain Group Seaside Award” for the past 10 years, the sandy beach extends for as far as the eye can see, well at low tide anyway! Swimmers, jet skiers and windsurfers alike, gather to make the most of the water, whilst those who prefer less energetic pastimes may ride the Donkey’s, fly kites or simply enjoy sitting on the sand.
Facilities of all kinds can be found on the wide seawall, which may have been built by the Romans incidentally. Ice Cream, Candy Floss, Toilet Facilities, 2 Beach Manager’s and a First Aid Post are all on hand, as is the Village High Street which is literally a 1 minute walk from the beach. Access to the seawall and Toilet facilities are provided for the disabled.
Restaurants, Cafe’s and Take Away’s offer a good choice of food and the Pubs & Inns offer food too. All the seaside “goodies” are available, sticks of Dymchurch Rock, Inflatable beach toys of all kinds and maybe even a “Kiss Me Quick” hat if you look hard enough!
Romney Marsh
When walking on the Romney Marsh it is easy to get a feeling of remoteness that is difficult to find elsewhere in the south east of England. The farmland of the Romney Marsh has hundreds of miles of footpath which, together with the quiet country lanes and bridleways, make it simple to organise walking and cycle routes that suit you. Alternatively the Romney Marsh Countryside Project has produced a pack of self guided walks and a pack of self guided cycle rides. To find out more about the area you can visit the RMCP website.
Camber Sands
Proper sand dunes! (15 minute drive away) It is a popular sandy beach, with picturesque dunes and golden sand. The village of Camber is very close to the beach with fish and chips plus other sea side essentials. Get there early on a nice day as it gets busy on a sunny weekend or during school holidays. Camber is a better option than Dymchurch if the tide is in!
Royal Military Canal
Whatever the weather or season there’ll be something to see or do along the canal. You can walk the Royal Military Canal Path which runs for 28 miles along the entire length of the Royal Military Canal from Seabrook, Kent to Cliff End in East Sussex, there also a pack of self guided walks available. A five mile stretch of the Royal Military Canal Path has been surfaced and makes an excellent cycle route along the canal banks. To find out more about the wildlife and history you can go to the Royal Military Canal website.
New Romney Warren Country Park
The country park is home to a number of rare species such as the great crested newt and great diving beetle. Habitats for these and many other species are managed by the Romney Marsh Countryside Project. There is a Romney Marsh Visitor Centre, run by the Kent Wildlife Trust, based in the grounds of the Country Park. At the visitor centre there is a shop and an exhibition where you can find out more about the local area. To find out more about the centre you can visit the Kent Wildlife Trust website.
Camber Castle
Camber Castle was built to protect the towns of Rye and Winchelsea. The main structure of the castle remains largely in tact. There are footpaths that run alongside the castle which you can use at any time, to see inside the castle itself details of opening hours are available on the English Heritage website.
Rye Harbour Nature Reserve
The Rye Harbour Nature Reserve and bird hides are open to visitors at all times. There are a network of footpaths and entry is free. To find out more about this reserve and the rare plants and animals that thrive here you can visit the Rye Harbour Reserve website.
RYE (20 minutes Drive)
The historic cinque-port town of Rye is only 15 minutes away, and well worth a visit to see the cobbled streets and old houses, antique shops and restaurants.
25 minutes away is the small market town Tenterden with a local produce market once a week on a Friday and several Antique shops.
The village of Rolvenden is about 10 minutes further on past Tenterden and holds a farmers market every Thursday in the church and village hall between 10.00 -12.00, it is very popular.
Hastings (45 minute Drive away)
A traditional English seaside town with many attractions including the Smugglers and the Blue Reef aquarium.
A bit of clothes shopping? (25 mins drive)
Ashford Designer outlet…Designer brands at greatly discounted prices
Leeds Castle (50 minute Drive)
A fantastic day out and some say “The best castle in the world!
Golf
There are many excellent golf courses nearby including Littlestone, the Warren and Lydd. Lydd driving range is 10 minutes away by car