This time we're back in Kent in Sandwich,
we're gonna take a walk around this beautiful little town, so please do join us.
Sandwich lies two miles in from the coast 14 miles from the major port of Dover.
It's a wonderful example of a medieval town on the river stour.
Once it was a prosperous continental trade and fishing port known as a cinque port. Wide and
deep, large sailing boats would pass through here. Silting has narrowed the river today.
The name of the town is probably Saxon possibly meaning sandy place or place on the sand.
There is a town trail map you can follow to walk around I'll put a link in the description. We're
just going to wander the streets and pick out some of the interesting things to see.
There has been some form of toll crossing here since 1177,
a permanent bridge was installed in 1755 and the current iron swing bridge in 1892.
The town barbican gate shows the prices for crossing the bridge back in 1905,
and a plaque with the Sandwich coat of arms
records the last toll being taken by the mayor in 1977.
The Bell hotel formerly the bell Inn has
been around since Tudor times and is possibly where King Charles II
was presented with a glass of sack, that's fortified white wine, when he visited in 1660.
The Admiral Owen pub dates from 1832 currently closed. It was previously called the Pelican
when it first opened, in 1546 and later named the Three Mariners. I believe it makes it the oldest
pub in town with another not far behind just across the road the Crispin Inn, opened in 1491.
A vivid red iconic routemaster bus that used to travel the streets of London. Not sure why it
was here and whether it's just a one-off but it's nice to see a good example still earning its keep.
Another unusual thing to see as you stroll the quayside is this post-war patrol vessel that
used to zip up and down the Rhine in Germany, manned by u.s navy personnel. It apparently
is one of only three still in original order and open up weekends for visits.
Further along is the Sandwich medieval center that showcases trades from the
medieval period in the town. They're also converting this trawler into what will be
the only example in England of a cog ship that would have sailed through Sandwich.
hello
Fisher's gate on the quay was once the entrance into Sandwich as part of the
medieval wall town King Richard II installed. Built in 1384 the upper portion dates from 1578.
Walking up St Peters street the white building on the left was the town
jail. I didn't know it at the time so you can hardly see it. I was engrossed
in the other side and the holy ghost alley that narrowly takes you through to the high street.
It reminds me very much of the alleyways in York.
Saint Peter's church, 900 years old and glowing in the late afternoon sun.
You can climb the tower inside for excellent views of the area. Interestingly this church maintains a
tradition of a curfew bell rung at 8pm each night. In days gone by this signalled to residents,
it's time to put your animals outside cover your fires and get to bed.
As we continue to enjoy the lovely streets here let's talk about a sandwich of the sliced kind.
Putting food items between bread was recorded 2000 years ago but apparently, it's possible that
a story concerning the 4th Earl of Sandwich John Montagu may have given popularization to the name.
He incidentally had no connection with the town just the title.
The story goes that he was in the middle of a gambling game and asked for some meat
between two slices of bread to save stopping for a proper meal. Others started to order
the same calling it the "sandwich" and the name stuck. Whether it's true nobody knows.
Now a private home The Old Drum dating from 1450 was once a coaching inn.
Kings and Queens visited the town and this building the King's Lodge
was where Henry VIII and possibly Elizabeth I stayed.
Strand Street has the best collection of timber-framed buildings in one street.
I particularly like the Weaver's house used as a workshop and home for dutch
refugees in the 16th century, just a shame all the cars are in the way.
Market day takes place Thursdays and Saturdays 8am till 1 pm in the courtyard here
next to the guildhall that dates from 1579.
This is Saint Clement's church, it's been here for a thousand years
and is of Saxon origin. The norman tower is apparently one of the finest in
England so if you get the chance to go inside please do check it out.
There's a smoke haze around town now as the sun goes down and
people lighting their log fires here. I wish you could smell it, it smells absolutely wonderful.
Well, that's it from Sandwich hope you've enjoyed it.
We'll be back next time with more but do like and subscribe and we'll see you on the next one.