Lympne Castle
Kent, England
Photo: N Chadwick, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Michael Garlick, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Worldfootage, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- Private owner
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Hotel guests only
- Nearest station
- Westenhanger, 1.7 miles (straight-line)
- Stays
- Overnight accommodation available
- Note
- Built in the 1080s for the Archdeacons of Canterbury and restored 1905-12 by Sir Robert Lorimer; now a private wedding and events venue.
Pinpoint
The St, Lympne, Hythe CT21 4LQ
Telephone 01303 533533
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 12:00 – 10:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 12:00 – 10:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 12:00 – 10:30 PM |
| Thursday | 12:00 – 10:30 PM |
| Friday | 12:00 – 10:30 PM |
| Saturday | 12:00 – 10:30 PM |
| Sunday | 12:00 – 10:30 PM |
Built in the 1080s for the Archdeacons of Canterbury and restored in the early twentieth century by Sir Robert Lorimer, Lympne is now a private house run almost entirely as a wedding and events venue rather than a day-visit attraction.
At a glance
Who to know
Sir Robert Lorimer · architect who restored the castle 1905-12
Worth the trip
The clifftop position - reviewers repeatedly single out the views over Romney Marsh to the coast.
Before you go
This isn't a walk-up visitor site - access is tied to weddings, private events or overnight stays, so check directly with the venue before planning a trip.
What visitors say
Lympne Castle reviews · 4.7 / 5 across 557 Google reviews
Reviewers who attended weddings, Sunday lunches or events here are near-unanimous in praise of the staff, the food and the clifftop views over Romney Marsh to the coast.
Multiple reviewers specifically credit named coordinators for making their day run smoothly.
It's consistently described as an events and dining venue rather than a walk-up visitor attraction, with a separate charity garden open day mentioned as one of the few general-access opportunities.
“Amazing place.”- CHRIS L, visitor review
Within reach of Southend-on-Sea (35 miles) - see what else is nearby.
Walks at Lympne Castle
Lympne Castle is on our walks roll because a visitor described a walk here in their own review:
“Walked round the grounds of the church were there are more views from.”- Keith Allen, visitor review
Also worth knowing: dogs are reported welcome.
Comparing options? See every UK castle with a walk visitors describe.
One visitor's account, not a route guide. We hold no distances, waymarks or start points. For the actual route, check the operator's own site and an Ordnance Survey map before you set out, and treat coastal and clifftop paths as weather- and tide-dependent.
Weddings at Lympne Castle
Lympne Castle is on our wedding roll because a visitor described a wedding here in their own review. Visit their site.
“Our wedding could not have been better handled - Courtney at Lympne Cas…”- visitor review
Comparing options? See every castle wedding venue in England, or the full UK wedding roll.
Dates, capacity, licensing and exclusivity change constantly and we hold none of it - treat this as a starting point and speak to the venue before you plan anything around it.
History
Archdeacons of Canterbury · c. 1080
Built around 1080 for the Archdeacons of Canterbury near the Romano-British fort site, Lympne served religious administrators for nearly 800 years. Rebuilt in the 1360s with expanded towers, it passed from ecclesiastical to secular ownership. F.J. Tennant purchased the property in 1906, then commissioned architect Robert Lorimer to restore medieval elements and add a new west wing (1907, 1911-12). The east wing followed in 1918. Post-World War II deterioration led to successive restorations starting 1945.
Adapted from this castle's Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Facilities
- “Cafes did look good but we did not by food as we had eaten already.” - Keith Allen
Common questions about Lympne Castle
Where is Lympne Castle?
Lympne Castle is in Kent, England, at The St, Lympne, Hythe CT21 4LQ.
Can you visit Lympne Castle?
Lympne Castle operates as a hotel, so access is normally for staying guests rather than day visitors. Contact the hotel directly about staying or visiting.
Can you stay overnight at Lympne Castle?
Yes - Lympne Castle offers bookable accommodation, so you can spend the night in the castle itself or within its grounds. See the Castles You Can Sleep In guide for the full list and how each stay works.
Are there walks at Lympne Castle?
Visitor reviews describe walking here - one reviewer wrote: “Walked round the grounds of the church were there are more views from.”. That is one visitor's account rather than a route guide, so check the operator's own site and an Ordnance Survey map for distances, paths and start points before setting out.
What is the highlight of visiting Lympne Castle?
The clifftop position - reviewers repeatedly single out the views over Romney Marsh to the coast.
