sandwich in Kent

moneylover

We live in Essex and someone at work has told OH that Sandwich is nice so my husband wants to go for a day trip on Tuesday (just the two of us kids long since flown the nest) Don't want to drive for one and a half hours then aimlessly wander so am interested in places nearby as well for pubs, walks, sea and villages etc. OH not interested in tourist shops so we usually do high streets at great speed (except for coffee shops!). Don't want to go to Canterbury on this trip, its about the only place we do know well
Many thanks

Poly,put_the_kettle_on

Sandwich is quaint, but little more than a very large village in effect. There are nice walks along the Stour though. If the weathers good, I'd consider spending an hour or two in sarnie, then drive the 15 mins up the coast to Ramsgate. Check out the harbour, which is lovely- then up the hill to King George VI park. Park the car near it- usually very easy, unrestricted and free, and walk through it (yes, they are Parakeets you can hear/see!) you'll emerge on the clifftop walk to Broadstairs. It's a 20/30 min walk, I usually walk there on the cliff to take advantage of the views, and depending on the tide walk on the beach/prom on the way back. Broadstairs is lovely, there are beautiful beaches, Bleak House is perched on the clifftop and there's the Dickens museum too if that's your thing.

vikingaero

I agree that there's not a lot in Sandwich - certainly not for a 1.5 hour drive.

Try adding on a few other coastal towns:
Margate - http://www.turnercontemporary.org/visit and http://shellgrotto.co.uk/

Deal is a nice town with the English Heritage Castle and the pier. Just slightly further down is Walmer Castle.

moneylover

vikingaero wrote: »

I agree that there's not a lot in Sandwich - certainly not for a 1.5 hour drive.

Try adding on a few other coastal towns:
Margate - http://www.turnercontemporary.org/visit and http://shellgrotto.co.uk/

.

Do like the sound of the shell grotto! Anything a bit different definitely preferred! I knew about the Turner Gallery but am not an art lover - a shame really as we have some amazing galleries in this country...
Any more ideas anyone ? Good pubs? Any more cliff or beaches to go to. Do like sand!

Lady_strange

Thanks for posting about this, I am off to Sandwich a week monday, camping I believe there is a gunpowder mill somewhere around Sandwich, which I know I will be going to see

vikingaero

moneylover wrote: »

Do like the sound of the shell grotto! Anything a bit different definitely preferred! I knew about the Turner Gallery but am not an art lover - a shame really as we have some amazing galleries in this country...
Any more ideas anyone ? Good pubs? Any more cliff or beaches to go to. Do like sand!

I'm not a huge fan of arty farty galleries either, but the Turner Gallery is free and could be a place to shelter from the weather.

Sandy beach wise you're looking at Margate or Ramsgate. IIRC most of the beaches at Sandwich and towns down to Dover are all pebble beaches.

If it's a nice day I recommend a walk to South Foreland Lighthouse (National Trust) by parking in St Margarets and walking from the village centre

There is a lot more to do in Dover - the usual Castle - but there is Crabble Corn Mill: http://www.ccmt.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=12

moneylover

vikingaero wrote: »

If it's a nice day I recommend a walk to South Foreland Lighthouse (National Trust) by parking in St Margarets and walking from the village centre

Is St Margarets an area in Sandwich?

Buttercup2305

moneylover wrote: »

Do like the sound of the shell grotto! Anything a bit different definitely preferred! I knew about the Turner Gallery but am not an art lover - a shame really as we have some amazing galleries in this country...
Any more ideas anyone ? Good pubs? Any more cliff or beaches to go to. Do like sand!

There are a couple of good pubs, there is the fleur d lys also there if you want a restaurant there is the fishermans wharf. The walk along the river is nice. Also Deal is quite nice, you can walk up the pier and you have Deal and Walmer castle. The Kings head pub on the front has always been a favourite of mine.

MzFitz

Ma-in-law lives in Sandwich ...
Lots of pubs - it used to be a challenge on New Years Eve to try and get around them all (then we grew up). Spike Milligan used to drink in The Admiral Owen (opposite The Crispin, and opposite the posh Bell Hotel near the Bridge) - it's mentioned in one of his books. http://www.dover-kent.com/Channel-Draught/No31-Channel-Draught.pdf - this is from 2007 but might be worth looking at. There is a Rope Walk around Sandwich, which is very pleasant, next to the River - start by The Bell Hotel, and walk the loop, or walk the loop until you get to the Guildhall and then walk through back up to the Bell. If it's a nice day, that is. There is a nice restaurant by the bridge, mentioned earlier - Fishermans Wharf - ate there once ages ago. Sandwich itself has some good individual shops that are worth a look. Have a look at the boats for sale in the Marina. I doubt there's enough for a day, but you can certainly fill a few hours in Sandwich.

We like the beach at Deal - pebbles but not crowded. And Deal Castle.