The late Saxon town of Hythe may have been at its present site circa 1036 with west Hythe being the first Saxon port, and then with the retreat of the coastline, the move to Hythe. In 1400 a fire destroyed over two hundred houses, and it was even suggested that the town would be abandoned. Hythe was once a cinque port. Lambarde writing circa 1570 says that the sea spoilt the harbour and obliterated much of the town, which used to stretch for two miles with four parish churches. Since circa 1900 Hythe has grown again as a retirement centre.