Where to go and what to do in Hythe, Kent...
We take in a few culture spots and a couple of food and drink gems on a day out in sunny Hythe
If you were to create a Pinterest mood board of a bustling coastal town, you would probably get something that resembles Hythe. It has it all.
The pebbly British seaside, a canal for a bit of punting or kayaking, an old-timey railway and a cute high street littered with independent shops. There’s even a centuries-old church with an eerie crypt of skulls! Every time we visit, we love it more and more for its array of food and drink outlets and creative scene.
So, as we have done in the past, we picked out a few stops you could make if you went down there for the day.
RIVERSIDE
On your way in, or on your way out, over in West Hythe, the riverside industrial estate has been transformed into a crafty, bakery, creative centre of goodness, at the forefront of which is the Unit 1 Alehouse & Kitchen.
Nestled next to the canal, the shed-cum-microbar serves up locally-produced ales including a range from Hop Fuzz (who are in the shed next door), Folkestone’s Docker and the Romney Marsh Brewery – as well as a few European options. There’s live comedy and quizzes, but nothing beats the revolving array of street-food brands that pop up in the kitchen across certain days of the month, including T’s Tacos, FlossnBambz and Silverback Shack. It’s also great to enjoy the rays on their sunny terrace and watch paddleboarders fall over as they float down the canal.
Malthouse Arcade
HIGH STREET
The High Street is littered with places to pop into. But at the west end, you could start off in the Malthouse Arcade, which is a big building housing a treasure trove of independent shops including specialists in antiques, nik-naks, handcrafted goodies and artworks. Be careful, though, you could end up in there for hours.
Crypt of St Leonard’s Church
Off the High Street and up the hill, the Crypt of St Leonard’s Church has the largest and best-preserved collection of ancient human skulls and bones in Britain, with more than 1,000 skulls in total.
Historians indicated that the collection represents the remains of some 4,000 people, but it is impossible to verify the number of bones in the stack. The latest estimate is a maximum number of 1,200 skulls in the crypt and the total number of individuals represented as 2,000.
The Truffle Pig Deli
If you’re getting hungry, you have a few options, with both Ivy’s of Hythe bar-bistro and highly-rated Thailand Tom both being recommended to us in the past. On this particular occasion we snuck into the walled garden spot at The Truffle Pig Deli for a chic bite. Serving breakfast, brunch, afternoon tea and even five-course tasting menus, any time to visit is a good time – and a spot of lunch for a grazing board was ours. Smoked salmon, smoked mackerel, Parma ham, chorizo, salami, olives, potato salad, salad and a ramekin of truffle oil to dip your bread in. Pretty good, eh?
Carrying along down the High Street, The Shed is helping people with learning difficulties and disabilities to develop their skills and opportunities through creativity – and what an amazing job the team do. The artwork being produced there is stunning and they are always getting involved in local events to bring a bit of colour and creativity.
By now, you’ll probably need a coffee and a pastry – am I right? There are no better places to go than to Florence’s Artisan Bakery. Having opened in late 2023, Florence’s has already become known for the smell of its fresh bread and pastries that emanates and wafts down the street every morning. Stop in for a coffee from artisan roasters such as Routes from Oxford, accompanied by milk from Hinxden Farm Dairy over in Benenden.
PROSPECT ROAD
Round the corner on Prospect Road, the Hythe Cellar, which is known for its fantabulous array of wines, has moved its sister brand Lido Bon Vino downstairs to offer Napoletana-style stone-baked pizzas. And, trust, us they are banging. Cooked in mere moments in a proper pizza oven, you can enjoy them at one of the small tables inside or out. We had the namesake Bon Vino pizza with tomato, spicy Calabrian nduja, jalapeno peppers and fior di latte mozzarella. It was washed down with a tipple of Puglia Primitivo Puro red wine – not easy to say after a few.
ROYAL MILITARY CANAL
Cut along the canal and have a giggle at the couples rowing about and suddenly realising how tiring it is. Then cross on one of the many picturesque bridges and head down to the beach.
FISHERMAN’S BEACH
In the 10-minute walk, you will probably have worked up an appetite and will absolutely need to visit The Lazy Shack. On Fisherman’s Beach, take in the sea views with a side order of cod, chips and battered sausage.
Having opened in 2019, it has become known as the place for fish and chips down by the water… and we know why. The crispy chips with the light, fresh flesh was stunning. The tasty herby sausage was also a really pleasant surprise away from your classic battered banger. We scoffed the lot.
