Visiting Sandwich
A visit to Sandwich isn’t complete without exploring its markets—held on Thursdays (the busier one! 8am–2pm) and Saturdays (9:30am–3:30pm), with Wednesdays as half-days. Sundays are also sleepy in Sandwich as a lot of the shops are closed.
Throughout the year you’ll also find food festivals, antiques fairs, live music, classic car shows, and celebrations like VE Day bringing the town to life. On Saturdays, King Street is closed to traffic, making it perfect for wandering. Parking is easy behind the Guildhall, at the Quay, or Gazen Salts, with street bays available too. Excellent train and bus connections link Sandwich with London, Canterbury, Dover, Deal, and Thanet, making it a perfect spot to explore and enjoy.
Sandwich was one of the original Cinque Ports, a historic confederation of coastal towns that played a vital role in England's defense and trade.
If you’re visiting make sure to check out the Medieval Centre on the Quay, the Sandwich Museum in the Guildhall and St Peters Church - where you can climb to the top of the tower and see the view in the photo above! You can also head to look at St Clements Church which is the oldest in Sandwich, dating from 1100s! It has a beautiful turret on the top.
Head to the Co-op and pick up a 50p bag of duck food to feed the ducks by the river. All proceeds go to Gazen Salts Nature Reserve, which is also a must visit - No dogs allowed.
A printed version of the town map is available from selected retailers in the town, or you can download a PDF version below.
The town of Sandwich gives its name to the world’s favourite meal—legend has it that in the 18th century, John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, asked for meat to be served between two slices of bread so he could continue playing cards without stopping for a meal.
Places to visit
Step back in time with a visit to Sandwich, one of England’s best-preserved medieval towns, where timber-framed houses, winding streets, and centuries-old architecture create a storybook atmosphere. Just over an hour from London by train, Sandwich is both accessible and unforgettable, offering peaceful strolls along the River Stour and the chance to explore the nearby nature reserve, a haven for wildlife. Perfectly placed for day trips, Sandwich sits close to the white cliffs of Dover, the seaside charm of Deal, and the golden beaches of Thanet—making it an ideal base to discover the treasures of East Kent.
