New Romney

Steam trains still puff across this slice of Romney Marsh, carrying passengers between the sea and the ancient churches that dot the flatlands. New Romney sits at the heart of this extraordinary landscape - part medieval port, part Victorian seaside resort, part working farmland that stretches to the horizon.

The town itself feels pleasantly unhurried. All Saints C Of E Church dominates the skyline, its Norman tower a reminder that this was once a major Cinque Port before the sea retreated. These days, the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway does the heavy lifting for visitors, with its miniature locomotives chugging between St Mary's Bay and Dymchurch stations.

What makes this area special is the sheer oddness of the marsh itself. It's properly flat - so flat you can see for miles across sheep-dotted fields to the sea wall. Hidden Beach lives up to its name, tucked away from the main tourist trail but well worth seeking out for a proper stretch of sand.

Getting here is straightforward enough. The A259 coastal road connects New Romney to Folkestone and Hastings, while the railway provides a delightfully old-fashioned alternative for local journeys. Ashford is your nearest major town, about 20 miles inland.

Staying at one of the local parks makes perfect sense for exploring Romney Marsh. You're bang in the middle of this unique landscape, with easy access to both the coast and the network of medieval churches that pepper the countryside. Plus, you can hop on that little railway whenever the mood takes you - proper holiday stuff, that.