Major tourist attractions within fifteen miles, or half an hours drive, of Sandwich:
Deal Castle:
About four miles South of Sandwich, Deal Castle was built in the early 1540′s by Henry the VIII. Designed to resemble the Tudor rose, Deal Castle was deliberately built with low rounded walls to avoid enemy cannon fire from the sea. The battlements once carried 119 guns and must have presented a formidable sight. Multilingual, self guided tape tours, relating the story of the castle are available and there is an exhibition of England’s coastal defences in the huge basement. Kid’s, large and small, always enjoy exploring the dark underground passages.
Deal Castle, Victoria Road, Deal, Kent. Tel: +44 (0)1304 372762
Open daily in the summer, closed Mondays and Tuesdays and over Christmas in the winter.
Dover Castle:
About nine miles South of Sandwich, this largest and arguably the most important English castle, houses much of interest. Don’t miss the Roman Pharos or lighthouse; the iron age fort; the saxon Church of St Mary in the Castle, the Norman Keep with Tudor Life exhibition; the 1216 siege presentation; the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment museum; the Secret Wartime tunnels which house the wartime hospital, the telecommunications centre, and the headquarters for Churchills co-ordination of the Dunkirk evacuation. Parking, restaurant and shops on site. Allow a minimum of half or preferably a whole day for your visit and look out for special events. Some of the guided tours are not available during the hour preceding closing time as there would be insufficient time to complete them.
Tel: +44 (0)1304 201628
Open daily from 1000-1600 Nov-Mar, 1000-1700 Oct, 1000-1800 Apr-Sep
Walmer Castle:
About five miles South of Sandwich this is our favourite castle in the area. It has been the home of Wellington and numerous Lord Wardens of the cinque ports including Pitt and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. Walmer Castle has a gentle air with elegant rooms still used for formal entertaining, and lovely gardens where you can enjoy a game of croquet, relax in a deck chair, or just wander and enjoy the peace of the gardens including; formal herbaceous borders, kitchen garden, sheltered plantings in the dry moat, spring flowers and specimen trees in the wild garden or the tranquility of the pool in the Queen Mothers garden. The tearooms serve a smashing cream tea with freshly baked warm scones, as well as light lunches, and the shop is well stocked. Self guided multilingual tape tours, and guide led tours available. Look out for special events with thespians in period costume who will be delighted to tell you about their life in the castle.
Walmer Castle, Kingsdown Road, Walmer, Kent Tel: +44 (0)1304 364288
Open daily except Christmas, and weekends only in January and February. Also expect surprise closures which for security reasons are not announced.
Canterbury Cathedral:
About twelve miles West of Sandwich, this magnificent building, towers proudly over the heart of Canterbury. It is England’s most famous place of worship, the first English cathedral and the very seat of the Anglican Church. It was founded in 597 AD by St Augustine shortly after his arrival from Rome and the widespread conversion to christianity of the Kingdom of Kent. The original saxon building was destroyed by fire and has since been reconstructed twice with parts dating from 1071 to 1500. Notable features include the Bell Harry Tower designed by William Westall in the late 1400′s; Henry Yevel’s nave resplendent with magnificent columns; The Trinity Chapel containing the tomb of The Black Prince; The canopied tomb and alabaster effigies of Henry IV and his Queen; the beautiful Great North Window; the enormous crypt, supposedly the largest in the world; the spot where Thomas Becket was martyred, now marked by a simple stone, and the Altar of the Swordpoint, where it is said that the sword which killed him shattered on the floor.
Open: Monday-Saturday 0900-1730
Sundays 1230-1430 and 1630-1730 Admission: Adults £3.50; Concessions £2.50
The White Cliffs of Dover:
Starting about six miles South of Sandwich at Kingsdown, the world famous White cliffs stretch for about ten miles along the coast past Dover towards Folkestone. They are best viewed from Kingsdown, St Margarets bay or from the sea. Hourly boat trips depart from De Bradelei wharf Dover aboard Star of Killarney and explore many facets of harbour life. Contact Richard Mahony (01304 271388). Alternatively view from the ferry.
The Western Heights and the Langdon Cliffs are also well worth a visit, the latter provide marvelous walking over the White Cliffs. There is ample parking (small charge/free to National Trust members) and a good cafe with interesting displays exhibiting cliff and chalk downland ecology. Look out for the rare exmoor ponies used to manage the grassland.
The South Foreland Lighthouse (01304 852463) is worth walking to but the path requires sensible footwear and some stamina. 30minute tours available in the summer except Tues and Wed.