insideKENT Magazine Issue 65 - August 2017 | Page 71

TOWNSPOTLIGHT
Spotlight on
SANDWICH
Sandwich may be small, but there is a lot packed into this little gem of a
place on the Kent coast. A HAVEN FOR BIRD WATCHERS, A MAGNET FOR
HISTORIANS AND DEFINITELY A DRAW FOR FAMILIES, SANDWICH IS MUCH
BIGGER THAN IT SEEMS.
HISTORY IN BRIEF
There has always been some sort of settlement,
village, or town in the environs of Sandwich
– it’s in an important place with its favourable
location on the coast allowing for invading
forces to find an opportune place to land.
That’s why it was always well fortified too;
those invading forces were usually defeated,
especially when Henry VIII created his ‘cinque
ports’ of which Sandwich is one.
But, well before Henry VIII, Sandwich was
already doing duty as a place for kings. Richard
the Lionheart landed in Sandwich after
returning from the Third Crusade in 1194, and
in 1216, Prince Louis of France chose
Sandwich as his arrival place when he came
to fight in the war against King John, a feud
which led to the Battle of Sandwich in 1217.
As time went on, Sandwich become ever more
popular, and by the 16th century, it was seen
as the only place in England that had fewer
native Englishmen than immigrants. This
allowed for Sandwich to become famed for
its goods and products, which often came
from other countries. Sandwich also had a
reputation as being an innovative and rather
experimental kind of place, particularly when
it came to farming. The techniques utilised
here were foreign, and they were exciting.
THINGS TO DO
The Salutation Gardens
The stunning Salutation Gardens were
designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1912. He
took the 3.7 acres that existed and turned it
into a series of symmetrical ‘rooms’. Each one
is unique and each one is equally beautiful –
coming to the Salutation Gardens offers
tranquillity and peace to anyone who enters.
As well as the gardens, there is a hotel and
restaurant, which is the first 20th-century
building to ever be granted Grade I status.
Richborough Roman Fort
Richborough Roman Fort is one of the most
important Roman sites in the entire country.
This was where the Romans first landed and
where many settled in AD 43. It is also where
they left from after almost four centuries in
AD 410. Part of English Heritage’s network of
historical sites, at Richborough you can
explore the ancient stone walls and also enjoy
the museum. You can even catch a boat from
Sandwich itself and arrive in just the same
style as the Romans did.
White Mill Rural Heritage Centre
The White Mill is a perfect example of a smock
mill, along with the original wooden
machinery that makes the whole thing work.
It was restored by millwright, Vincent Pargeter
between 1960 and 1961, and it is a fascinating
place to visit. As well as the mill itself, where
you can see examples of agricultural
machinery, you can see the miller’s cottage,
other outbuildings and a museum.
Gazen Salts Nature Reserve
Gazen Salts is open throughout the year for
those who enjoy a peaceful, beautiful walk in
nature. There are over one-and-a-half miles
of paths in 15 acres of woodland and wetland
to choose from taking you through wildlife
habitats and close to a central lake. Animals
that you can spot here include turtle doves,
water voles and woodpeckers.
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