Welcome to Sandwich

Sandwich is a beautiful picturesque town on the banks of the River Stour, known for its rich heritage evident in the winding streets of well-preserved architecture dating back many centuries. The town centre is a designated conservation area to preserve its unique character - take a stroll along any street and it's not difficult to imagine Richard the Lionheart and his entourage around the corner on his return from the Third Crusade. 

This short video gives an overview of the town and its attractions (please allow cookies on your device to enable the video to show): 

The coastline was once very different in this area - centuries ago Sandwich was on the coast and a vitally important port. The town is one of the original Cinque Ports (together with Dover, Hythe, Romney and Hastings) which were grouped together by Edward the Confessor in the 11th century for protection and trading purposes. Now two miles inland thanks to coastal deposition, you can still see remnants of its port history. In recognition of its important place in coastal history, Sandwich is a designated Heritage Harbour. 

Visitors can book a guided tour with Sandwich History Society to explore hundreds of years of English history and visit the Guildhall Museum, home to Sandwich’s very own 1300 Magna Carta and Charter of the Forest. Not to be missed is Sandwich Medieval Centre where there are regular living history demonstrations of crafts and medieval life. 

Although no longer by the sea, you can relax by the River Stour on The Quay or cruise from the quayside aboard The River Runner for a marine wildlife encounter, spotting seals in their natural habitat. A trip to nearby Richborough Roman Fort and Amphitheatre - one of the most symbolically important Roman sites in Britain - is also highly recommended. 

Another highlight of Sandwich is its impressive collection of ancient churches, the most prominent of which is St Peter's Church which dominates the skyline. Visit the makers' market and cafe here, and climb to the top of the tower for spectacular views across the town's rooftops and surrounding countryside.

The town is also renowned for its connection to golf. Royal St George's, one of the world's oldest and most prestigious golf courses, has hosted numerous Open Championships, most recently in 2021, attracting golf enthusiasts from around the globe. Prince's is also a championship links course with accommodation overlooking Sandwich Bay. Even if you're not a golfer, a visit to either club offers stunning views of the coast and an opportunity to soak up the sporting heritage.

When it comes to culinary delights, Sandwich lives up to its name in more ways than one. Legend has it that John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, popularised the concept of putting meat between two slices of bread. Although the Earl had no real connection with the town, today you'll find a plethora of tearooms, cafes and pubs offering delicious sandwiches and other dining options. Food is an important part of this town’s fabric, with different culinary fairs and festivals taking place throughout the year. Check out the What's On section to find out what's happening in the town.

Sandwich is more than a bite-sized adventure… With so much to discover and explore, you won’t want to rush home. There are plenty of lovely places to stay the night, from campsites and boats to hotels and cottages.

To find out more about the history of this fascinating town and all there is to offer visitors, please watch this video created by a small team of local people who love their town. 

Heritage Harbours

The seas around England have shaped the country's history and the harbours and ports along the coast, rivers and canals are a key part of the story. Heritage Harbours is a joint initiative between local groups and Maritime Heritage Trust, National Historic Ships and Historic England to help safeguard and conserve England's most historic locations with the buildings, quays, shipyards, and environments that make them special.