Local interest

Dymchurch is known internationally for being the setting of the "Doctor Syn" novels, by Russell Thorndike.

Every two years a celebration of the "Syn" novels is held there, usually on the August bank holiday.

It is a station on the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway, which is the smallest public railway in the world and was opened in the 1920s. The railway station in Dymchurch was officially reopened after the war by Laurel and Hardy in 1947.

It is also home to three Martello towers and Dymchurch Redoubt. Martello tower No. 24 is the only one in the village still open to the public. Of the other two towers, one is now a residential property and the other is derelict.

Buildings of note

It was here that Scott's Tax was introduced, a tax levied on local residents at the time to fund the ongoing maintenance of the sea wall defences. Those that lived directly outside of the boundaries and thus not eligible for the tax were said to have gotten away "Scott Free".

Residents with land were also required to grow thorn bushes for use in the building of the wall, as thorn twigs were believed at the time to be impervious to sea water. Failure to do so resulted in an ear being cut off by way of punishment.

St. Peter and St. Paul's church is classic Norman church design and was originally built in the 12th century but extensive extensions and modifications were made in 1821 when its original design symmetry was lost due to the movement of the North wall several feet outwards. Like many churches of Romney Marsh, St. Peter and St. Paul's has several stories and tales surrounding it. Its font for example was once thrown out - possibly by protestant dissenters - and then restored to its home in the 15th century after being recovered from a nearby ditch.

The Ship Inn was built in the 15th century and was a regular haunt (in much later years) of the author Russell Thorndike. It is said that he penned various chapters of his "Doctor Syn" books whilst drinking in this pub, and based various characters from his books on local reprobates.

External links

• Dymchurch online
• The Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway
• Historical, geological and tourist information on the Romney Marsh by local resident
• St. Peter and St. Paul's Church, Dymchurch
• Dymchurch history

Self catering holiday bungalow in Dymchurch for details visit www.dymchurchholiday.co.uk