Day 3: Dungeness (take 2), Dymchurch, Hythe and Sandwich

What a difference the sun makes. Went back to look at Dungeness in the lovely weather and totally got it. 

Took photos of Derek Jarman's garden (again) and off to Dymchurch.

And off to Dymchurch!...

Sadly I thought Dymchurch was disappointing: slot machines, amusement park and ice cream. 

Their claim to fame is that they are a children's' Paradise. Really? Hope their parents have lots of pennies then.

It's saving grace is sandy beaches.

Unfortunately, their forbidding concrete prom is so unlike their more westerly neighbours - no softening trees, green spaces or flowerbeds.

There is also lots of negative signage. 

I asked a lone local waiting at the bus stop what was a must see/ must do here and he said "Nothing . Go to Hythe - they have an interesting pile of skulls there."

So to Hythe I went...

 Oh joy....pretty centre, fab gluten free lemon drizzle cake and a more prosperous feeling all round.

It was pedestrianised, so calm and easy to browse lots of individual family owned shops - a real pleasure. Couldn't go hungry there either as lots of cafes and restaurants.  

 

And then there were the infamous skulls, over 1000 of them and over 4000 other bones in St. Leonard's Crypt. Possibly the most macabre tourist attraction I have ever seen.

 

Must see/ must do in two hours? 

• The locals in Truly Scrumptious (fab gluten free lemon drizzle cake) all agreed and so do I!

• Stroll through the high street
• See the skulls

• Walk along the Military canal in the sunshine. 

Did all of that. 

On to Dover but I'll leave that to Bill Bryson, though it does have a very impressive castle which my daughter would be interested in bearing in mind she has a challenge to visit every castle in the UK with her best friend. You can read more about her challenge on her blog. 

Last stop before I get to Margate is Sandwich a medieval town proud of its court and impressive heritage status. Very nice!