If you like your seaside towns served up with a Mr Whippy and a couple of arcade games, then this particular spot might not be up your street promenade. If, on the other hand, you prefer them to be full of rare wildlife and a little bit of mystery; listen up.
At the most south eastern tip of England you’ll find Dungeness. Is it a beach? Is it a desert? Is it the set of a horror movie? Nobody is entirely sure. What we do know, however, is that it’s recently been named one of the greatest beaches in the whole world – and seeing as it’s only two hours from the capital, we thought we’d tell you a little bit more about it.
A rather peculiar pocket of the country; Dungeness is a big old stretch of stones, shrubs, and scattered boats – some abandoned and some still very much in use. The largest expanse of shingle in Europe, it attracts over a million visitors every year and is a protected conservation area because of its incredible variety of wildlife.
Dungeness is home to a Grade II listed lighthouse (that boasts some pretty impressive views), two nuclear power stations, a few colourful cottages, and 600 types of plants (many of which cannot be seen anywhere else in the UK). It’s also one of the best places in the UK to see rare species of moths, bees, beetles and spiders. You know, you like that kind of thing…
So, is it a desert or a beach?
Now , I don’t want to rock the boat here – but there’s a lot of uncertainty around whether Dungeness classifies as a desert or not. It was known as the UK’s only desert for years (and is still considered to be by many) but back in 2015, the Met Office debunked its desert status, claiming that a desert has little rainfall and a large difference in daytime and night time temperatures. Two things that don’t apply to Dungeness. However, others believe a desert to be a place that, on average, loses more moisture than it receives each year, and can only sustain a certain percentage of plant life. Two things that supposedly do apply to Dungeness. I know I’ve not made things any clearer for you, but what is abundantly clear is that there’s certainly no other place quite like it.
Getting to Dungeness
By car, Dungeness is around a two hour drive from London – and there’s plenty of pay and display parking nearby. For non-drivers, getting the train to Ashford International and an onward bus from there is your best bet, with regular, direct trains from St Pancras International. A more unique way to visit Dungeness is on board the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway; one of the world’s smallest miniature public railways.