Hythe 8 mile walk

Name: Hythe 8 mile walk
Start: 2025-12-26T09:30:00+00:00
End: 2025-12-26T13:30:00+00:00
Location: The Red Lion Hythe

Schedule

Fri Dec 26 2025 at 09:30 am to 01:30 pm

UTC+00:00

Location

The Red Lion Hythe | Folkestone, EN

This is a Boxing Day walk of approximately 8 miles, which starts from Hythe, so is an ideal way to get some healthy exercise in, after eating too much turkey and all the trimmings, less than 24 hours previously. Being December, there could be mud, there is also one short steady descent to overcome, but generally nothing too troublesome.
This good little circuit climbs away from the town, making progress towards Pedlinge church. The current chapel having been built in the early 1900's by Laurence Hardy, who had been an MP for Ashford previously. Crossing the busy A261, our route joins the Saxon Shore Way, as we head towards Lympne Hill. A short stretch of road walking then takes us past the Shepway Cross, before we continue to the Church of St Stephen at Lympne, where a short snack break stop is planned. Adjacent to the church is Lympne Castle, which was built around 1360 and overlooks the remains of the Roman fort, Port Lemanis.
After passing many historic buildings located at Lympne, we head through a wooded area, to descend the escarpment, beside Port Lympne Wild Animal Park. On this path you may to spot some animals, especially the giraffes, before reaching the Royal Military Canal. At which point, we turn left on the flat to follow the canal path for the remainder of the walk.
At West Hythe, hopefully Unit One, will be open to indulge in some refreshment, before we return back to our start point.
Dogs welcome, but please keep on a short lead when required.
Difficulty: Leisurely
Ascent: 410ft
Starting point - We meet outside the Red Lion, so either use car parks or alternatively park for free nearby along A259 Dymchurch Road/Military Road on either side of the Military Canal.
Grid reference: TR 15821 34697
Nearest postcode: CT21 5AU
Walk leader is Kevin Hall