All about the Medieval Town of Sandwich in Kent

Sandwich Kent - Medieval Cinque Port

In medieval times and before, Sandwich was a main Kent and UK port, it was and still is, a principal Cinque Port. Before the River Stour silted up, the river was wide and deep enough for great sailing ships.

Today, the ships have been replaced by smaller craft, residential and visitors moorings, but the many ancient buildings make Sandwich one of the best preserved medieval towns in England.

Sandwich Origins

The first recorded mention of Sandwich was around 664 AD but there was probably some kind of settlement in Roman times as the site is very close to Richborough Roman Fort (Rutupiae).

The name of the town is, most likely, Saxon in origin, approximately meaning sandy place, or the place on the sand. The word sandwich as an item of food came into being centuries later ...