Also known as London Ashford Airport, and previously known as Lydd Ferryfield, Lydd International Airport has had a colourful history. The Airport was built exclusively for Silver City Airways after the Second World War and before the introduction of commercial hovercraft and cross channel ferries, Lydd Airport was the primary means of hopping the English channel to Le Touquet Airport in France, and the rest of Europe. Today, Lydd boasts a busy flying club, aerial tours and a number of cargo and cross channel charter companies. Lydd sits on the Dungeness Peninsular in Southern Kent, the largest expanse of shingle beach in Europe and also the only true desert in Great Britain. The strong winds, lack of plant and animal life and harsh surroundings make Lydd a truly unique place to visit, and it sits in stark contrast to the lush greenery of the rest of the Kent countryside.