Shepway

Estimated Population

100,100 based on ONS survey to mid 2007

Overview

You are just as likely to meet a resident as a visitor to the area when you visit Shepway as Shepway includes Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh which are destinations for family breaks or holidays. Folkestone's Creative Quarter houses the Napoleonic Royal Military Canal in Hythe or the beautiful nature reserve at Dungeness, New Romney.

Shepway is also offers a very convenient way to mainland Europe. In just 35 minutes, Eurotunnel can whisk you and your car from Folkestone under the English Channel and into Calais with the greatest of ease. With a choice of wonderful hotels in Folkestone or Bed & Breakfasts in Hythe you will find yourself in beautiful surroundings to stay in before you travel, Folkestone is the ideal gateway to Europe.

Leisure and Retail

Shepway is home to 23 miles of beach including miles of sandy beach at Dymchurch, Greatstone and Littlestone.

Folkestone is a town packed with history, famous and amazing architecture.  Charles Dickens wrote Little Dorrit, H.G. Wells wrote War of the Worlds and Agatha Christie wrote Murder on the Orient Express.

Folkestone boasts many tourist attractions, including a small working harbour with its fishing boats, quaint pubs, seafood stalls and more.

While you are in the area don't miss visiting Hythe with its historic high street, interesting shops, medieval buildings and seafront promenade.  Visit the 11th-century St Leonard's Church and see its crypt lined with 2000 medieval skulls and 8000 thighbones for a bone-tingling time.

Dymchurch is a popular seaside resort, complete with holiday camp, caravan parks, light railway station and amusement park.

No visit to Dymchurch would be complete without a journey on the railway that carries the village name.  The Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway is a must for kids and adults alike.  First opened in July 1927 the "World's Smallest Public Railway" now covers a distance of 13.5 miles from the Cinque Port Town of Hythe, to the fisherman's cottages and lighthouses at Dungeness.

Visitors can climb the tower of the Old Lighthouse at Dungeness and enjoy the panoramic views over the English channel and countryside.