Lydd, town in Kent, England
Lydd is a small town in Romney Marsh in Kent, southern England, built on flat marshland close to the coast. The town features medieval buildings including All Saints Church with one of Kent's tallest towers, an ancient timber-framed court hall among the county's oldest, and a triangular village green called the Rype surrounded by traditional streets.
Lydd has existed since at least the 8th century when Saxon settlers lived there and called it Hlyda. The town was once part of the Cinque Ports, an important group of coastal defense ports, and may have developed on the site of a much older Romano-British settlement nearly 1,500 years old.
The name Lydd comes from Latin meaning 'shore,' reflecting the town's deep connection to water and coastal life. The heart of the community gathers at the Rype, a triangular green space that once served as a pasture and now hosts community events, especially the annual Lydd Club Day fair each June with rides, stalls, and local celebrations.
The town is easily reached by car via the A259 road connecting it to Folkestone and Hastings, though buses serve the area without direct links to major cities. Visitors find basic facilities on hand including shops, restaurants, medical services, and a small airport used mainly for private flights.
All Saints Church is often called the Cathedral on the Marsh because it is remarkably long with one of Kent's tallest towers, possibly built on the site of a very ancient Romano-British structure. This architectural standout creates a striking contrast to the flat, open landscape surrounding it.
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