Dungeness Dungeness is a... by Geoff_Wright
Dungeness Dungeness is a promontory to the south of Dover. It is a bleak triangle of land created of shingle that has been thrown up by the sea over many years. The promontory is scattered with a number of chalet-type dwellings, some of which are used for permanent residences and others as holiday homes. It is a popular area for sea-anglers and walkers. The flat arable area of Romney Marsh lies to its north and the River Tillingham at Rye is to its south. When the nuclear power station was built at Dungeness Point it was necessary to construct a new lighthouse, which is the fifth to be constructed here. You can see the black and white lighthouse to the right of the picture. The area also has a large bird sanctuary. The photo here was taken from the top of the old lighthouse and shows the bleak windswept landscape.
Another photo taken from the old lighthouse. The one-third scale Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway (RHDR)is looking even more like a child's model trainset from this view! (For a clearer view, enlarge this photo from the Travelogue).
This shot, obviously taken from the balcony of the old lighthouse, shows clearly the black and white modern lighthouse, which is a concrete structure with no character at all!. The 'old' lighthouse is not really that old at all, having been built in 1901. There have been beacons or lighthouses in this area for centuries and the first permanent structure was built in the reign of King James I (1603-1625). This lighthouse is now privately owned and for a small fee you may climb the 160-odd steps to the top of the lighthouse for a panoramic view over the Romney Marsh and the English Channel. The nicest way to get to Dungeness is by the RHDR, but do ensure you leave enough time to catch the train back to Romney or Hythe.
