Sandwich Kent England UK: Visitors Guide, History and Community

Sandwich Kent: Medieval Cinque Port

In medieval times and before, the town 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Today, the ships have been replaced by smaller craft, but the many ancient buildings make Sandwich is one of the best preserved medieval towns in England. Two of the town gates are still standing, see images on the right.

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

Sandwich is not only famous for the sandwich but some famous people where born or lived here. Its ancient past still speaks through the buildings and the traditions still carried on today.

Who? What? Why? - Click Below:

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...
Browse the website and find out more ...

Acknowledgement: Image of Fishergate reproduced by kind permission of the Kent Achaeological Society