Sandwich; a delightful, medieval town in Kent

If you’re looking for a quintessential English town packed with history, character, and beautifully preserved medieval buildings, Sandwich is the ideal destination.  Located in East Kent, this charming town feels as though time has stood still.  With its maze of ancient streets, half-timbered houses and remarkable heritage, Sandwich proudly holds the title of the “completest medieval town in England.”

We discovered Sandwich during a recent staycation in Kent, choosing it as a base for visiting nearby East Kent attractions.  What we didn’t expect was to fall so completely for the town itself.  From riverside walks and historic landmarks to museums, medieval streets, and cosy places to eat, there is no shortage of things to do in Sandwich.

In this guide, I’m sharing the very best things to do in Sandwich, Kent along with practical tips and nearby places to visit, to help you plan your own perfect trip.

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First, let’s address the question everyone asks, “How did Sandwich get its unusual name?”   Despite popular belief, Sandwich wasn’t named after the food.  The name is actually of Saxon in origin, meaning “sandy place”.

The culinary connection came much later, thanks to John Montagu, the  4^th Earl of Sandwich, who popularised the snack in the 8th century.  Legend has it he asked for his meat to be place between two pieces of bread so he could continue playing cards uninterrupted – and so the sandwich was born!

Sandwich is an incredibly pretty town and one of the best ways to experience it is simply by wandering its narrow, historic streets at leisure.  Every corner reveals another character building or hidden alley.

That said, one of the most enjoyable things to do in Sandwich is following the town’s official walking trails.  These ensure you don’t miss any of the town’s most important historic sites.  Sandwich is compact and very walkable, so allow a couple of hours to explore, plus some extra time to stop at the one of the coffee shops!

There are two marked trails in Sandwich:  one exploring the historic town centre, and the other tracing the old town walls.  As we’d already wandered the centre, we started with the route around the walls.

Our walk began at the main entrance to Sandwich via the Sandwich Toll Bridge, an elegant iron swing bridge crossing the River Stour.  There has been a crossing here for centuries, as far back as 1023, when King Canute granted monks from Canterbury the right to operate a ferry here. The first bridge wasn’t constructed until more than 700 years later.

From the bridge, you can catch your first glimpse of medieval Sandwich.  Built in 1539, the Barbican once served as the tollgate for visitors coming into the town.

The impressive Grade I listed building, with its twin towers, feels like a true gateway back in time.

Although the crossing is now free, the original toll table is still displayed on the archway walls.  Charges were once based on the number of animals you brought through.  In the early 1900s, a six-horse chariot would have cost 2 shillings and 6 pence!

Instead of heading straight through the tollgate, we turned left towards Sandwich Quay, a peaceful stretch of the River Stour with moorings for small leisure boats.

In summer you can take a wildlife boat trip from here towards Shellness Point, home to a resident seal colony.

It’s hard to imagine now, but Sandwich was once one of England’s most important sea ports.  Thanks to its strategic position, Sandwich became one of the original Cinque Ports, alongside Dover, Romney, Hythe, Hastings, Rye and Winchelsea.  It even served as a key mustering point for troops during the Hundred Years’ War between England and France, a striking contrast to the tranquil riverside scene today!

One of the first stops on our trail was the Sandwich Medieval Centre, a museum dedicated to preserving medieval skills and craftmanship.

Their current project is the construction of a full-size replica medieval cog, the type of ship once used in Sandwich’s thriving port.

The Bulwarks, Sandwich’s historic town walls, were ordered by King Richard II to defend against repeated attacks on the town.

Today, walking the town walls is one of the most interesting things to do in Sandwich, even if you’re not a history fan.  Highlights include the Rope Walk, a tree-lined avenue once used to stretch ship ropes, the Butts (a medieval archery range), and the Gallows Field.

Exploring the medieval town centre is, without question, one of the very best things to do in Sandwich.  It’s genuinely breathtaking, a maze of historic streets with medieval buildings at every turn.

Strand Street, the oldest street in Sandwich, boats more half-timbered houses than any other street in England.  Look out for King’s Lodging, one of the finest period houses where both Henry VIII and Elizabeth I once stayed.

Sandwich is also home to four ancient churches, some dating back to the 12^th century.  You can climb the tower at St Peter’s Church for sweeping views across the town.  If you’re visiting in the evening, listen out for 8pm curfew bell, a tradition that once signalled the local residents to cover their fires for the night.

Nearby, you’ll find the Sandwich Weavers’ Houses, named after the Dutch settlers who lived here in the 16^th century.

Modern boutiques, galleries, and cafés blend seamlessly with the historic setting.  Keep an eye out for quirky names, such as the No Name Shop on No Name Street or Goats that Dance.

One of the town’s most important landmarks is the beautifully restored Sandwich Guildhall, located in the former cattle market.

Inside, you’ll find Sandwich Museum, home to fascinating artefacts from the town’s past, including its very own Magna Carta from 1300 AD.  The museum is open Wednesday to Sunday and is free to enter.

Sandwich has a lively evening atmosphere and offers a good choice of places to eat.  There are cosy, historic inns near the Quay, a popular pizzeria, and a range of cafés, restaurants and delicatessens in the town centre.

During peak season, it’s worth booking ahead, as the best spots fill up quickly

And yes, after a bit of searching, I did find A Sandwich Shop. Exactly as perfect as it sounds.

There are also a couple of small supermarkets, ideal if you’re self-catering.

If you head away from the medieval town centre, you’ll find plenty more things to do in and around Sandwich, Kent.

Located about a mile from Sandwich town centre, the White Mill Rural Heritage Centre dates back to 1760.  This ancient mill was originally used to grind wheat, barley, and oats.

Although the sails are currently missing, a dedicated team of volunteers is restoring the windmill and developing the site into a rural heritage centre.  You can explore displays of agricultural tools, visit the Miller’s Cottage, and even climb inside the windmill to see how it works.

Open 3 days a week,  admission is free, and you can walk or drive from town.

History lovers shouldn’t miss Richborough Roman Fort, one of England’s most important Roman sites and possibly the location of the first-century Roman invasion of Britain.

Now managed by English Heritage, the site features ruins of the Roman defence walls and the encircling ditches.  Several information boards explain the significance of the site.

Sandwich also has its own beach.  Access is via a private road with a charge.  Although it’s mostly shingle, sand is revealed at low tide.

If you want to stay in a hotel, The Bell Hotel is a grand Edwardian hotel with an excellent location.  If you’re looking for something more quirky, you could book a stay on a Dutch Barge.

There’s a also a few self-catering places to stay in Sandwich, including a modern 3-bedroom house near the town or a more traditional coachman’s cottage near the beach.

Alternatively, you could base yourself in Deal and visit Sandwich as a day trip.

The surrounding area offers plenty of great days out.  Deal, another Cinque Port, is just 7 miles away and is home to Deal Castle, built by Henry VIII, along with a lovely promenade and pier.

For sandy beaches, head to Broadstairs, a classic seaside town with strong Charles Dickens connections and access to Botany Bay.

You can also reach Whitstable in around 30 minutes, perfect for harbour walks, seafood, Whitstable Castle, and Tankerton Beach.

Finally, no visit to East Kent is complete without a trip to Canterbury, famed for its cathedral, medieval streets and centuries of pilgrimage history. Read more:  Day trip to Canterbury: How to spend a day in Kent’s medieval city

Whether you’re visiting Sandwich for a few hours, a weekend break, or as part of a bigger East Kent itinerary, this small town packs in an impressive amount to see and do.  From wandering the medieval streets and walking the historic town walls to exploring museums, riverside paths, Roman ruins and nearby beaches, there are plenty of memorable things to do in Sandwich.

Plus, thanks to its excellent central location in East Kent, Sandwich also makes a fantastic base for exploring the surrounding area.  During our visit, we took day trips to Deal, Ramsgate, Broadstairs, and Whitstable, all of which are easily reached by car or train.  With more time, you could also visit Margate or head to Dover to explore the famous castle and coastline.

Sandwich is in one of the furthermost South East corners of England.  However it is really accessibly by car.  You can take the M25/M26/M20 if you are coming from the South or the M2 from London.  It is about 75 miles from central London.

The fastest train from London to Sandwich leaves from St Pancras and takes just under 2 hours.

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