Sandwich is undoubtedly one of the prettiest towns in Kent. It is also one of the most historic, and has more 'Historic Buildings Of Kent' plaques than any other. From the 2,000 year old Roman Fort of Rutupiae (Richborough) on its' outskirts, to modern times, there is just so much to see
Sandwich was one of the Cinque Ports and still has many original medieval buildings, including several listed public houses and gates in the old town walls, churches, almshouses and the White Mill. While once a major port, it is now two miles from the sea due to the disappearance of the Wantsum Channel. Its historic centre has been preserved. Sandwich Bay is home to nature reserves and two world-class golf courses, Royal St George's and Prince's. The town is also home to many educational and cultural events. Sandwich also gave its name to the food by way of John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, and the word sandwich is now found in several languages.
Above, is the Fisher Gate, the last remaining gateway into the old town. Giving access to the historic quay, this gatehouse was erected in 1384, restored by the Cooper's guild in 1560 and again in 1955.
The River Stour runs through the town. It was once navigable for miles inland, and was one of the reasons Sandwich became a Cinque Port. It was once lined with busy shipyards and fishing docks.
Above is the Barbican Gate, which guards the toll bridge entry to the town. King Canute granted the monks of Christchurch, Canterbury the right to operate a ferry here and charge a toll; a practice that only ended in 1977.
You can still read the final toll charges on a board beneath the arch. They date from 1905 and contain charges like: "For every locomotive weighing 2 tons or under, having 4 wheels 1/-" If you're too young to know our old currency (pre-1971) 1/- is one shilling, the equivalent to 5p in today's money!
The road from Canterbury runs right through Sandwich to the Quayside. This is Strand Street. This street may boast more timber-framed buildings than any other street in England. Most of these medieval and Jacobean houses are still inhabited.
The Old Drum. In 1457, a force of 4,000 French soldiers launched a devastating raid on Sandwich, pillaging the town and murdering the mayor.
The area of the town from the Ramparts adjacent to the Canterbury Gate up to Bowling Street was largely razed to the ground. The destruction would have included Church Street St Mary's, home to The Old Drum. Said to date back to 1450, seven years before the carnage, it is thought to be Sandwich's first ever pub.
The Drum is designated as ‘An Historic Building of Kent’ and the property is now a private house. Its previous use is apparent from the cellar hatch in the front wall at the bottom left as you look at the front of the building.
More history is to be found on the Dover Kent Archive site here:
This pleasant picnic area on the river bank, is The Butts, where archery would have been practised in medieval times. Henry V's archers honed their skills here before setting sail to France and their famous victory at Agincourt.
the Delf river, which supplied a lot of the town's water.
Another former hostelry, the Malt Shovel Inn (shades of Emmerdale rivalry?), a 15th century timber framed house, refronted in the 18th century. Note the wrought iron sign, and the bowing of the front window
According to the sign, these almshouses were established in 1287 and rebuilt in 1805.
There are 3 impressive churches in Sandwich. The parish church is St. Clements, St. Mary's is still consecrated, but decommissioned as a church.
This is St. Peter's, which stands in the middle of the town. It features distinctive medieval flint walls. The structure is a Grade I listed building situated on Market Street in the town centre.
Visitors can climb the church tower to view the surrounding historic town of Sandwich.
The church was notable for its decorated windows and historic effigies inside. Sadly, whatever is left in there is mostly obscured by the market stalls and bric-a-brac.
Easily identified from afar
by its unusual cupola built in the seventeenth century to complete the
reconstruction of the tower following its total collapse. the church contains
three fine canopied wall monuments. One of them shows a husband and wife of
mid-fourteenth-century date. Their heads are turned a little to the south to
face the altar and they have a particularly animated lion at their feet.
During the 16th and 17th
centuries, Sandwich became a popular destination for Huguenot refugees fleeing
religious persecution in the Low Countries. The result of this Dutch influence
can be seen in the design of the distinctive tower cupola which has made St
Peter's such a landmark in Sandwich.
The first church was
destroyed by the French in 1216 and was rebuilt by Carmelite monks from
Normandy.
St Peter's is the guardian of an ancient Sandwich tradition. Every day at 8pm, the curfew bell rings out, signalling that the townspeople should cover their fires to make them safe for the night. This was once known as the 'pigbell', as it also informed people they could release their animals into the street. A second bell, called the 'goose bell', was rung at 5am to tell householders to take their animals back indoors lest they be impounded.
St. Peters is now run as a community hub. It has a nice little cafe, and loads of market stalls selling all sorts of stuff. Appropriate as it stands in Market Street. When I went in there today, it was very busy. So good to see that it still holds importance to the local residents.
This mural depicts the history of Flemish and Dutch "Strangers" refugees in 16th-century England, likely located in Sandwich, Kent. It illustrates their immigration and contribution of weaving and gardening skills to the local community. The artwork highlights their religious background as refugees escaping persecution in the Low Countries. It displays key events, including their assistance in rebuilding local churches and introducing new trades.
The main inscription honours Ann Stannard, who died in June 1795 at age 32. A smaller inscription below commemorates Mrs. Christian Rily Stannard, who died on March 25, 1845, aged 77. The memorial features a poignant verse reading, "Why Should man weep, For what can pity do. I died my Friends, To point the way for you."
Royal Coat-of-Arms of Charles I
This memorial plaque is dedicated to Fanny, daughter of Daniel and Frances Smedley, who was born on December 24, 1820, and died on May 10, 1895. The inscription notes she was married to James Smith Smedley and later to Edward Penfold. The plaque indicates she was buried in Bolton-by-Bowland, Yorkshire. (In 1974 Bolton-by-Bowland transferred from the West Riding of Yorkshire to Lancashire)
This is an 18th-century Baroque memorial cartouche that commemorates Henry Wise (died 1769), his wife Mary (died 1772), and their daughter Elizabeth, who was married to William Boys. The white marble monument features carved drapery, cherubs, and the distinctive Wise coat of arms at the top.
Here lieth the Body of CAPTN. WILLIAM ROBINSON who Departed this Life in the Year 1765 Aged 72 Years
Also the Remains of MRS. ELIZABETH ROBINSON Widow of the Above CAPTN. WILLIAM ROBINSON Who Departed this Life in the Year 1776 Aged 71
"Here Lyeth the Body of SOLOMON KELLEY Gent. who was Mayor of this Town in 1708 he died the 5th of August 1710 Aged 59 also ANN his wife Daughter of Capn. VALENTINE JEKEN Gent. she died the 30th of Janry 1725 Aged 75
also JOHN their Son Gent. who was Mayor of this Town in 1728 he died the 14th of July 1740 Aged 60 Years also ANN their Daughter wife of Mr. SAMUEL FERRIER who died the 16th of July 1754 Aged 80 Years"
Solomon Kelley: Served as the Mayor of Sandwich in 1708. John Kelley: Solomon and Ann's son, following his father's civic path to become Mayor of Sandwich in 1728. Valentine Jeken: A prominent local family name; historical municipal documents from the Canterbury City Council show that members of the Jeken family also served as mayors in nearby Canterbury during the early 18th century.
Plaque in latin: John Conant, a reverend for 44 years described as pious, faithful, and beloved.
He was born April 18, 1735, and died March 30, 1811. Ann Conant, listed as his loving wife, died September 1, 1811, at the age of 78.
This oval plaque commemorates Elizabeth Rolfe, wife of John Rolfe of New Romney, who died in 1780 at 20 years old. It also records the death of Elizabeth Harvey, daughter of John and Judith Harvey, in 1778 at age 6. Richard, son of John and Judith Harvey, is listed as having died in 1786 at 1 year old.
a historic benefaction board listing donations to the three parishes of Sandwich.
It details specific legacies, such as land given by Mr. Masters and a farm at Marshborough left by Mr. Peter Jarvis in 1712.
This is a ledger stone commemorating Alban Spencer, Gent., who died on October 15, 1736, at age 50. The stone also honours his second wife, Mary, who passed away on May 24, 1738, at age 49. They left behind four surviving daughters: Ann, Sarah, Susanna, and Mary.
This stone indicates the location of The Rev. Henry Pemble's Vault. The inscription explicitly guides visitors that the entrance is located three feet westward.
This tombstone honours members of the Verrier family. Thomas Verrier: The primary inscription commemorates Thomas Verrier, an "Equitis" (Knight), who died in April 1758. Elizabeth Verrier: She is identified as the "beloved wife" of William Verrier, also a knight, who passed away in March 1759 at age 44. William Verrier: Listed as having passed away in December 1759.
The inscription indicates the burial of Mrs. Amelia Milnes, who passed away on December 23, 1776. The memorial notes she died at 50 years of age.
This stone indicates a burial vault located in a church floor. The inscription "opens three feet towards the North from this stone" provided specific instructions for locating the vault entry.
"By a Faculty" refers to a legal document or license issued by a bishop's court granting permission to alter church property, such as installing a memorial stone or creating a vault.
This brass memorial slab commemorates Thomas Everard, a Gentleman and "Stadtholder of Kent". The inscription mentions his wife, Ann, and their children: Thomas, John, Elizabeth, and Claude. The plaque indicates he died in 1597 at the age of 67.
This item is a funeral hatchment, historically hung outside a home to announce a death and later displayed in a church.
This hatchment was probably made for Francis, wife of William Wodsworth, who died in 1813 aged 29. Hatchments were displayed for a time outside the home of a recently deceased person before being carried in the funeral procession and then placed permanently in the parish church.
This is a memorial plaque for Susannah Wyborn (formerly Young), who died in June 1755 at the age of 76. She was married to Mr. William Wyborn, a brewer, and previously to Mr. Thomas Young. The inscription praises her for industry, frugality, benevolence, and uncorrupted honesty
This marble plaque commemorates Major Roland Damer Harrisson, a recipient of the Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.) who served in the Royal Field Artillery (R.F.A.)
It indicates he was the great-grandson of Peter Harrisson and grandson of John Harrisson, M.D., both associated with "The White Friars" in Sandwich. The inscription notes he was originally buried in France, with the cross (above) placed there by fellow officers, before his remains or memorial were brought to this location in 1927.
Roland was born in 1881, and baptised at St Lukes, Liverpool on 15th October 1881. He is the son of Damer Harrison , a surgeon and Constance Lloyd, of 23 Gambier Terrace, Liverpool.
He died 10 September 1917 Age 36 years old and was buried or commemorated at Epehy Wood Farm Cemetery in France.
The town pump. If you look over the wall, you can see the leat from the River Delf which supplies the water for the pump
The War Memorial, which stands by the entrance to St. Peter's churchyard, in the town square. Although originally commissioned for World War I, it also commemorates the dead of World War II, Korea, and the Falklands Conflict.
Welcome to Holy Ghost Alley - don't use it if you're claustrophobic, as it is so narrow, you almost have to turn sideways to pass through!
The Old Town Gaol, now 2 small houses and a shop. Passage through the building with studded timber framed walls leads to No 7 at the rear.
The Old Dutch House, formerly called the Shoemaker's House, is believed to be of Flemish design. hence the name. Dates from the late 17th. century, with slightly later doors and windows.
The date on the wall translates to 1982, but that date pertains to the Estate Agents, not the building.
This is the Grade II listed "Golden Key" building located at 15 Market Street. It is a historic structure dating back to approximately 1890 and features prominent timber-framed gables.
St. Clement's Church, The Norman church of St Clements stands in a leafy churchyard in the south-east corner of ancient Sandwich, close to the medieval town walls which once encircled the town. The church was almost certainly begun in the late Saxon period, but much of what we see today is a result of a 12th-century rebuilding.
This is the Parish Church of Sandwich, with its' stunning Norman tower, thus denoting that parts of it are at least over 1,000 years old. That Norman tower is one of the finest in England. The tower was originally topped by a spire, but this was removed in the 1670s shortly after the towers of both other Sandwich parish churches had collapsed.
Until 1683 it was custom in Sandwich that the Mayor was elected in St Clements Church. So important was the position considered that the townsfolk had the right to burn down the house of anyone who refused the honour. Not surprisingly, no one declined the position.
St Clements also served as a mustering point in times of trouble. If the moot horn was sounded, all able men over the age of 14 had to immediately gather at St Clement's and report to the Mayor.
There are patches of medieval tiles still visible in some places, and the colours of these have been replicated later, around the font
One of the unusual features of St Clements is the roof, which is decorated with carved wooden angels
The Town Beacon, on the Quayside.
And the National Cycle Route mile marker
Unfortunately, the Sandwich Medieval centre, which stands here, on the Quayside, was closed this day. So I guess I'll just have to come back another sunny day!
(I did return another day, and it is well worth a visit) Volunteers in period costume man it at weekends, and are only too happy to explain all the artefacts and show how they were made. They also have demonstration days, where you can learn old crafts.
Outside the centre is a pillory and stocks, so be sure you behave!
On the river next to the Medieval Centre, there is a boat under restoration. This is the 'Nicholas', a replica medieval cog.
The cog was a single mast, deep draught, round bottom vessel that was built to be a merchant ship but, at times of war, converted into a fighting ship. The castles were added fore and aft, and crow's nest platforms at the masthead, and the long bow archers would create a formidable fire power. They could carry plenty of troops, but were cumbersome and unwieldy on the open sea.
It’s hard to believe that there is no example of a medieval cog on display anywhere in England. It is open to the public on some days, so hopefully, I will be able to watch the restoration taking place.
3 years down the line, I still haven't managed to get on board, but look how far the restoration has progressed!
The hull has been repaired and is now watertight, and the rear 'castle' has been fitted.
The Sandwich Medieval Trust has an excellent web-site, detailing all they do at the centre, the medieval history of the town, and the work in progress on the Nicholas:
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