When I lived in the lovely Kentish countryside several years ago (studying flute), we (Trevor Wye and the Studio goers) took a weekly trip to Hythe. We haunted two places: Waitrose and the fish market. I wasn’t big into the fish market (actually, I never went in). Instead, I always headed down to the beach, which was only a few feet away—talk about a fresh catch!

The English Channel is a magnificent, albeit chilly, body of water. The beach at Hythe is made of orange/brown colored rocks and pebbles, and the wind is always blowing. I would stand there and soak up the sea’s energy, always rotating to avoid the chill! However, this was just a small taste of what Hythe has to offer.

Hythe Beach (photo by Peter Trimming, geograph.org.uk/Wikimedia Commons)

Hythe is a lovely seaside village with everything you would expect of a cozy English beach town: beautiful medieval and Georgian buildings, a seafront promenade, and restaurants that sell fish and chips. It boasts other interesting features, including the Royal Military Canal that was built to repel invasion during the Napoleonic wars. Shaded by trees and filled with ducks, a walk along this canal provides a peaceful escape. You can also hop a ride on the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway.

Hythe Beach. With Sandgate in the background. (Photo by Andy Potter, geograph.org.uk/Wikimedia Commons)

According to Wikipedia, the word Hythe or Hithe is an Old English word meaning Haven or Landing Place. I would have to agree! Hythe certainly gives off a peaceful vibe that can be best described as “lovely.”

You can read more about Kent at enjoyEngland.com. Enjoy your day at the beach! Cheerio!

Royal Military Canal, Hythe, Kent (Photo by Ian Dunster/Wikimedia Commons)