Sandwich Kent
Sandwich is a medieval Cinque Port and before the River Stour silted up it was a safe harbour for great sailing ships and was used as a main port for the county of Kent. It had an alliance with the other five Cinque Ports of Hastings, Hythe, Romney, Rye and Dover and in return for ships and seaman were granted trade and tax privileges.
Today Sandwich is an historic medieval town full of well preserved houses of this era and the river now takes small pleasure craft. The conservation area in the centre of town and its narrow twisting streets haven’t changed since the Domesday Book. The town was also made famous by the fourth Earl of Sandwich who is rumoured to have given the name to the now humble sandwich after asking for meat to be put between two pieces of bread and Captain Cook named the Sandwich Isles after the earl, these islands are now known as Hawaii.
Other interesting places to visit in Sandwich are the Barbican and Toll Bridge, the 16th century white windmill which has most of it original wooden machinery and the Sandwich Guildhall and court room which dates back to 1579. Richborough Fort at Sandwich is where the Romans were first based in England although only the foundations can now be seen. You can take a walk along the quayside or take the Rope Walk along the leafy riverside. There are some good restaurants, cafés and pubs to relax in after exploring the town.
Sandwich Map
All images copyright©2008 Andrew Weller