Lympne Castle is full of fascinating history (Image: Chris Clarke/Wikimedia Commons)
Kent is home to a plethora of place names that often leave visitors tongue-tied.
Take, for instance, the picturesque village of Lympne – it’s almost certain you’ll stumble over its pronunciation on your first try, given that half the letters are silent.
In reality, you should disregard everything after the initial three letters, as the village is simply pronounced ‘lim’. Isn’t English a delightful language!
Now that you’re in the know, you’re all set to explore this enchanting hamlet perched above Romney Marsh, which offers an array of activities for a day trip.
Lympne, distinguished by its unique L-shape, boasts a hugely popular zoo and an intriguing historic castle.
Port Lympne Animal Park has been a family favourite since it first welcomed visitors in 1976, following its acquisition by John Aspinall to accommodate the expanding wild animal population at Howletts.
Currently under the stewardship of the Aspinall Foundation, the park serves as a haven for rare and endangered species, housing everything from giraffes and gorillas to elephants and rhinos.
One of its standout attractions is the safari, offering guests a slice of Savanna life right here in the Garden of England, reports .
Former Real Housewives of Toronto stare Ann Kaplan Mulholland bought Lympne Castle in 2023 (Image: Getty Images for CAFA/George Pimentel)
Port Lympne offers a unique experience where you can sleep amongst the animals, sort of.
They offer a range of distinctive overnight stays including boutique hotel rooms, panoramic bubble pods and the Tiger Lodge where you could wake up to a large feline at your window.
Another notable landmark in the village is Lympne Castle, a remarkable piece of history dating back to the late 13th century.
The castle has recently changed hands and the new queen of this castle might surprise you.
The former star of Real Housewives of Toronto, Ann Kaplan Mulholland, along with her husband Stephen, purchased the 700-year-old fortress at the beginning of 2023.
The medieval castle remains a popular wedding venue, with the Grade I-listed establishment offering a ‘fairytale’ setting for the special day.
This hard-to-pronounce village has plenty do during a day trip (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto/clubfoto)
The castle covers an impressive 27,000 sq ft, boasts 20 bedrooms, fortified towers, a grand Great Hall, its own restaurant, four cottages, gardens and more.
Ann acquired the landmark for a hefty £5.5 million and, although she initially planned to use it solely as her UK home, decided to keep it running as a wedding venue.
Ann recently divulged to the Daily Mail: “We may have money, but we don’t throw away every dime.
“It comes from being in business for so long, and running finances.
“If we do 80 weddings per year, that will cover the cost of running the castle.
“I’ve always been strange, and I’ve always loved to throw parties. So why not throw a perpetual party?”
Lympne village is not only home to the stunning castle but is also steeped in history around every corner with landmarks such as St. Stephen’s Church, the local parish church, which enjoys the prestige of being in the highest category for listed buildings.
When it comes to facilities, Lympne maintains its picturesque charm offering essentials like a village hall, a grocery shop and a hairdresser.
However, the community felt a profound loss when The County Members Pub, despite earning a high four-star rating on TripAdvisor, unexpectedly shut its doors last April.
The pub announced on Facebook, “We regret to inform you that The County Members Pub has closed for business with immediate effect,” prompting a wave of dismay among the residents and frequenters.
For those who love outdoor pursuits, Lympne is an unmissable destination boasting the delightful Lympne Loop walk.
This rural trek spans approximately 4km and snakes past the historic Lympne Castle as well as the expansive grounds of the Port Lympne Reserve.
Port Lympne Wild Animal Park houses a huge variety of wildlife including lions, tigers, gorillas, giraffes and much more (Image: Getty Images/Jim Cook)
The trail, which skirts the animal enclosures, offers visitors a chance to spot giraffes, zebras or even ostriches in their natural habitat.
This lesser-known route is free and makes for an ideal walk throughout the year – just remember to pack your wellies on a rainy day as the paths can get muddy.
But Lympne’s attractions don’t stop at its fantastic zoo and historic castle.
The village also has some fascinating literary connections.
St. Stephen’s Church is another of the village’s several historic landmarks (Image: Getty Images/clubfoto)
It features in H. G Wells’ classic 1901 novel First Men in the Moon, where English narrator Bedford lands his anti gravity sphere in Lympne after his lunar expedition.
The village was also the backdrop for the 1945 film adaptation of Noel Coward’s play Blithe Spirit by David Lean, while Lympne Hill appears in Russell Thorndike’s Doctor Syn stories.