Mr Pitt’s Ditch

The Royal Military Canal runs through Hythe, in fact it runs for 28 miles from Folkestone to Hastings. It is a unique structure, as it is not your usual canal built for the transportation of goods, but was built for defence.

It was built between 1804 and 1809 for strategic defence against invasion during the Napoleonic Wars. It was designed to protect the low coast at Hythe and the land behind Romney Marsh, as it was feared that, if invaders landed here, they could easily move on to attack Dover and even London.

It was planned by William Pitt the younger, the English Prime Minister at the time, and hence was known as ‘Pitt’s Ditch’. It was supported by King George III and, as a result, it is the only English canal to include ‘Royal’ in its name.

It was very carefully designed as a defence structure, with a military road and parapets etc. There is detailed information about it here.

Unfortunately, by the time the canal was ready for use in 1809, the need for it had long passed, as the French Navy had been defeated at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. So it was never actually used for defence purposes.

Eventually the land beside the canal was turned into ornamental walks and gardens and later more land was added to create paths and cycle ways. It is now a lovely parkland area in the middle of Hythe, with grassy slopes, footpaths and lots of seating. It is used extensively by locals and visitors of all ages.
 
   
Another lovely day with lots of sunshine. We are getting used to the bright light here.