insideKENT Magazine Issue 97 - April 2020 | Page 24

TOWNSPOTLIGHT
SPOTLIGHT ON HYTHE CONT.
RH&DR ALPACA ANNIE
HIDE & FOX HYTHE BAY
Things to Do
The Crypt of Saint Leonard
Also known as the Ossuary of Saint Leonard, this
crypt at the beautiful, ancient church is astonishing.
This is where the largest collection of human skulls
and bones are kept in Britain. Many experts say that
it is not only the biggest but it’s the best preserved
too. It is possible to visit this fascinating place every
day from May until September, after which it is
closed for the winter apart from special occasions
such as Easter.
Saltwood Castle
Kent is a county with so much history attached to
it, and Saltwood Castle certainly keeps up that
tradition. Located just outside of Hythe itself,
Saltwood Castle is most famous for being the place
where Thomas Becket’s assassination was planned.
Today it is a much more serene place, open to visitors
at various times during the year. There is a moat,
battlements, a secret garden, peacocks and on
occasions you can view the Rt. Hon Alan Clark's
classic car collection.
Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway
(RH&DR)
The Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway is a
delight to visit. Whether you’re coming for the first
time or you’re reliving precious childhood memories,
the RH&DR is a fun day out for train enthusiasts
and history buffs alike (as well as pretty much
everyone else). The RH&DR is known as ‘Kent’s
mainline in miniature’, and the much loved one-
third-size steam and diesel trains run along 13 and
a half miles of track between Hythe and Dungeness.
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Brockhill Country Park
If you’re looking for a good old fashioned day out
in nature for the whole family, Brockhill Country
Park is exactly where you should be heading. There
is a lake, woods, picnic areas, meadows, playgrounds,
and even a superb café, so you can spend the whole
day there breathing in the fresh air.
Alpaca Annie
A little way outside Hythe you’ll find something very
different and really rather fabulous; you’ll find Alpaca
Annie. What started as a hobby with one alpaca
soon grew into what you see today – a thriving
business. Part of that business means that people
can experience alpaca trekking and feeding, plus
you can buy all kinds of alpaca themed goodies in
the onsite shop.
Dining Out
Hide & Fox
Hide & Fox is something very special. With a carefully
designed and sourced á la carte menu, a separate
lunch menu, and a six course tasting menu too. Even
the wine list has been created to be accessible to all,
offering everyone the chance to pair their food and
drink perfectly, no matter what they might be tempted
to order.
And temptation really is what’s on offer at Hide &
Fox. The menu showcases chef Allister’s skills and
knowledge of ingredients to the utmost, leaving the
diner with a difficult choice between (for example)
pigeon with beetroot, walnut, date and nasturtium;
lamb with Jerusalem artichoke, savoy cabbage and
goats curd; and sweetbread raviolo with confit egg
yolk, celeriac, pickled pear and rosemary foam.
White Hart
The White Hart in Hythe is exactly what you want
when you’re looking for good, honest food at fair
prices, to be eaten in comfortable, friendly
surroundings. With plenty on offer, the menu suits
all taste buds, from steaks to roasts to mouth watering
vegetarian options plus some truly huge deserts,
making the White Hart your local when in Hythe
is a good decision.
Hythe Bay
If you’re eating on the Kent coast then it makes
sense to try some of the freshest, most delicious
seafood on offer, and that is what you’ll find at the
Hythe Bay restaurant. As well as the wonderful food
(which includes sardines marinated in garlic, chilli
and coriander served with mango, chutney and burnt
lime; potted crab with avocado mousse; Hythe Bay’s
fisherman’s pie; and salmon and king prawn linguine),
it is the huge al fresco dining area which leads straight
to the beach and the water's edge that makes Hythe
Bay so special.
Tiffinbox
Tiffinbox offers authentic, tasty Indian cuisine, and
it does so in style. Open for lunch and dinner,
Tiffinbox can either bring its gorgeous food to you,
or you can eat in the comfy restaurant – either way,
with dishes like Chettinad chicken; masala dosa;
chilli garlic mogo; and Goan fish curry you certainly
won’t be disappointed.