Sandwich must be one of the most complete Mediaeval towns in England and as such it would have been walled. So, we walked the line of the Sandwich town walls on successive days. Although the town is quite small, there is a huge amount to see and it is easy to be diverted from a ‘plan’!
Brief comment on the defences of Sandwich
“The town wall originally consisted of an earthwork rampart with a wooden fence which was built at the end of the 14th century. The wall was rebuilt in stone after French invasions in 1438 and 1450 with five gates of which only Fishergate and The Barbican remain as the Canterbury, Woodborough and Sandown Gates have all been demolished. The Barbican by the bridge probably dates from the mid 14th century, and consists of two circular towers flanking a single archway. Only the lower half of the towers is original. The Great Bulwark, a 2 storey gun battery, was added in 1451 and the earthworks remain. The earthworks of the town wall and the outer ditch still remain all around the town.”1
The walls of the town
Today you can walk along the line of the walls – the Bulwarks, Mill Wall, Rope Walk, The Butts, and along the river.
We started walking, clockwise, at the Barbican, the toll gate over the River Stour. There had been a ferry crossing here since the 12th century. It was a crossing to the Isle of Thanet. Apparently it was King Canute gave a charter to the monks of Canterbury Cathedral to operate the ferry (and make charges!).
The bridge opened in 1755, and today’s swing bridge dates from 1892.
The Fisher Gate
The original Fisher Gate dates from the 14th century and it was the main gate from the town to the quayside. Apparently it had a portcullis which could be lowered to protect the town. Today’s gate dates from 1581. 2
The Fisher Gate, notice inside the gate, and the grooves of the former portcullis. (Above)
Sandown Gate & Bulwark
The wall along the river turns inland, with a ditch on one side. The bridge over the ditch in the photo below was the site of the Sandown Gate into the town.
The Sandown Gate was demolished in the 1780s, and assume it was originally Mediaeval..
The Bulwark has a deep ditch on one side, and beyond that a field where Sandwich Castle used to stand.
The Rope Walk
The Rope Walk is self-explanatory – this is where the rope makers twisted and laid out their new ropes.
The Butts
There are playgrounds and cricket fields alongside the Butts, and always people walking.
And so back along Strand Street.
The walk around the walls of old Sandwich is absolutely delightful, especially on a fine day. My facts may be a little suspect – this is only a brief visit – but I hope this gives the general idea!
: Sandwich Town Walls
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