Sandwich And The Sea

Kent Ramblers: Walk 67 — Sandwich and the Sea

Points of Interest

A. Sandwich is considered to be one of the most complete medieval towns in England. It has changed relatively little over the centuries and its buildings, streets and alleyways still provide the visitor with much to explore. A ‘walled town’, it can still be viewed by walking round parts of the original ramparts.

B. The Quay was in the 13th century an important harbour for the export of wool. Lying in the ‘Wantsum channel’, it could accommodate many hundreds of vessels but in the 14th century it began silting up and by the 16th century was some 2 miles from the sea. It became, as now, merely an arm of the river Stour.

C. Royal Saint Georges Golf Links, founded 1887, is perhaps the most famous of three championship golf courses situated here. ‘Princes’, to the north, founded in 1912, hosted the Open Championship in 1932 and ‘Royal Cinque Ports’ to the south, founded in 1892, often holds the Amateur Championships. Royal Saint Georges has hosted the British Open on ten occasions.

D. Sandwich Bay Estate consists of a number of large houses which although in many cases look very old are, in fact, part of a development begun in 1912. They are the product of several well known architects of the time and the resulting variety of styles provides for an interesting detour.

E. Mary Bax stone marks the spot where Mary Bax, a local girl was murdered by a foreign gentleman on August 25th 1782.

F. Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory (just a few yards off the route) has been recording aspects of wildlife and, in particular the ringing of birds since 1952. It is an important station for monitoring bird migration. Visitors welcome. Open 10am-4pm 7 days per week.

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