EXPLORING NEW ROMNEY: TOP ATTRACTIONS, NEIGHBOURHOODS, AND HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES

New Romney is a small town on the southern coast of Kent, part of the district of Folkestone and Hythe. With roots dating back to the 13th century, New Romney offers a quintessential British seaside experience coupled with historic charm. This article explores the top attractions, best neighbourhoods, and exciting housing opportunities in New Romney.

Top Attractions and Things to Do

New Romney provides plenty of attractions and activities for visitors to enjoy:

Beaches

• Littlestone Beach – This quiet, pebble beach stays cooler in summer. It offers water sports like sailing and windsurfing with equipment rentals available.
• Greatstone Beach – Also a pebble beach, Greatstone has seaside food stalls, children’s play areas, and a nature reserve at one end.
• Camber Sands – Just east of New Romney lies this long sandy beach popular for swimming, kite flying, and beach sports.

Historic Churches

• St Nicholas Church – Dating from the 13th century, this parish church contains unique features like decorated mediaeval arches.
• New Romney Methodist Church – The original Methodist church built in 1810, now a heritage site. Offers guided tours.

Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway

• Ride this 15-inch gauge steam train line running 13 miles along the coast from Hythe to Dungeness. A fun family experience.

Romney Marsh Sheepdogs

• Watch amazing sheepdog demonstrations at this family-owned farm. Try “Have a Go” sessions to learn handling sheepdogs.

Romney Marsh Visitor Centre

• Learn about the local wildlife, habitats, and culture of the marsh landscapes. Family-friendly interactive displays.

St Mary’s Bay

• This quaint old fishing town near New Romney is great for seaside strolls, sightseeing, pub meals and antique shops.

Best Neighbourhoods to Live In

Beyond attractions, New Romney contains some delightful residential areas:

Littlestone-on-Sea

• Peaceful seaside community with cottages, retirement properties and some new builds near Littlestone beach.
• Local shops/pubs provide amenities while retaining a quiet village charm.

St Mary’s Bay

• Picturesque seaside town with colourful houses and character. Close to shops, activities and beaches.
• Mix of older original homes and new developments.

Dymchurch

• Family-friendly seaside village with beach access, amusements and promenade.
• Houses range from fisherman’s cottages to bungalows and new builds.
• Close to New Romney and Romney Marsh attractions.

Exciting Housing Opportunities

Those wishing to buy into the New Romney area can explore affordable options:

Shared Ownership

• Purchase a share in a property (25-75%) and pay rent on the remainder to the housing provider, gradually increasing ownership share.

Moat Homes – Valeria Bay

For those looking at buying a new house in the New Romney area, an exciting new development offering shared ownership homes is Valeria Bay by Moat Homes should be worth considering..

This seaside location offers 2 and 3 bedroom contemporary houses featuring:

• High-quality finishes and integrated appliances
• Private gardens
• Allocated parking
• Short walk to Littlestone beach
• Nearby local shops and amenities
• Excellent transport links including High Speed rail to London

The shared ownership scheme makes Valeria Bay an accessible development for buyers to purchase a home near the Kent coast.

History and Heritage

New Romney has a long history dating back over 750 years:

• Originated in mediaeval times as a seaport town involved in wool trade across Europe.
• Due to harbour silting, it declined in importance, leaving the historic core intact.
• St Nicholas Church contains rare 13th century decorations.
• Hits like World War bombing and storms have shaped the landscape.
• Original fishing cottages and Georgian-fronted homes give a historic feel.
• New Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway opened in 1927, adding to nostalgia.

This legacy creates an old-fashioned seaside charm.

Nearby Towns and Villages

New Romney sits amongst scenic towns and villages, each with its own appeal:

• Lydd – Small town near New Romney, popular for watersports and nature reserves.
• Dymchurch – Family-oriented seaside village along the marsh coast.
• St Mary’s Bay – Picturesque old fishing town near New Romney and Greatstone Beach.
• Lympne – Historic village with 11th century castle ruins perched on the hillside.
• Hythe – Larger town with supermarkets, shops, restaurants and seaside feel. Home to the famous Hythe Imperial Hotel.

Local Activities

The New Romney area provides plenty of activities for visitors and residents:

Watersports

• Sailing, windsurfing and kitesurfing at Greatstone Beach.
• Paddleboarding, kayaking and fishing around Dungeness peninsula.

Cycling

• Flat terrain perfect for family bicycling along the seafront and through Romney Marsh.

Birdwatching

• Excellent birding locations like Dungeness Nature Reserve, with over 600 recorded species.

Walking and Hiking

• Picturesque trails along the Kent coastline and through scenic marsh landscapes.

Fishing

• Shore fishing at beaches. Also deep sea charter boats available at nearby Folkestone harbour.

Golf

• Romney Marsh Golf Club – links-style course with great views.
• Littlestone Golf Club – high ranked championship course.

Annual Events

New Romney hosts entertaining annual events:

• New Romney Country Fayre – Family event in July with music, food, rides and crafts.
• New Romney Scallop Festival – September food festival celebrating the famous local scallops.
• Marathon – September running event through stunning Romney Marsh scenery.
• Kent County Show – Popular agricultural show in July drawing over 100,000 visitors.
• Le Weekend Music Festival – Live music festival in Greatstone during late May.

Transport Links

New Romney enjoys excellent transport connections:

• High Speed Rail to London St Pancras – just over 1 hour.
• Roads – A259 coast road and A2070 provide access to motorways.
• Bus Services – Local buses to Folkestone, Ashford, Canterbury and other Kentish towns.
• Hythe Station – 6 miles away, with services to London, Ashford, and Dover.
• Lydd Airport – Small regional airport 20 minutes away.
• Channel Tunnel – Only about 30 miles away, providing easy mainland Europe access.

Education

The area has options for schooling:

• New Romney Primary School – Local state primary school.
• St Mary’s Bay CofE Primary School – State primary near New Romney.
• Homewood School – Large state secondary in Tenterden.
• Several independent schools like Duke of York’s Royal Military School.

Healthcare

Medical facilities near New Romney:

• New Romney Health Centre – NHS medical clinic in town centre.
• Hythe Hospital – Offers minor injury unit, x-rays, endoscopy, and other services.
• William Harvey Hospital – Large NHS hospital in Ashford, about 16 miles away.
• Folkestone Hospital – NHS community hospital with x-ray, physiotherapy and rehabilitation services.

Buying a New Property in New Romney

The New Romney area, the town and surrounding villages offer many options depending on lifestyle priorities:

• Littlestone-on-Sea – Peaceful beach community near seaside attractions.
• St Mary’s Bay – Picturesque old fishing village with character.
• Dymchurch – Family-friendly spot with promenade and amusement arcades.
• Lydd – Active watersports and nature scene.
• Lympne – Tranquil rural village with historic charm.

New developments like the shared ownership homes at Valeria Bay make buying a new property in New Romney an affordable prospect, while still benefiting from the abundance of seaside attractions and activities.

Conclusion

With its scenic beaches, maritime heritage, and quaint villages, New Romney offers a quintessential British seaside experience coupled with historic small town charm. The new housing developments open up opportunities for buyers seeking an affordable seaside home, while benefiting from the tranquil setting and abundance of attractions. Just over an hour from London by high-speed rail, New Romney provides an appealing escape from the bustle of the big city.