13 of the best things to do in Sandwich

Sleepy Sandwich is full of cute cottages and perfectly preserved medieval buildings. Grab coffee and a fresh pastry from the superb No Name Shop and wander to the quayside, eyeing half-timbered houses and antiques shops as you go.

Head ten minutes out of town to explore the wilds of Sandwich & Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve. It’s all salt marshes, wildflowers, mudflats and golden sea cliffs, with trails for windswept coastal walks and places to pause and spot rare birds and butterflies. As Kent Wildlife Trust's largest site, dozens of species migrate through this coastal spot, including cuckoos and hard-to-spot nightingales.

If you’ve been daydreaming about bread, order excellent Mediterranean-themed dishes at Tan Bueno, which places a special emphasis on vegan treats. Alternatively, supersize your lunch with enormous club sarnies at The Bell Hotel. When in Rome...

Head down to the water and take a boat trip from the quay. If you’re lucky, you’ll spy the local seal colony as well as getting a blast of the sea air that makes Sandwich so popular with day-trippers. Prefer to stay on dry land? Explore the lush gardens at The Salutation. Document the greenery – the symmetry is a photographer’s dream – or book on to a propagation workshop.

There’s no shortage of historic pubs in Sandwich. Step back in time at The Crispin Inn, which was built in 1491. The nearby Kings Arms is equally historic – it was first recorded as The Queen’s Arms during the 1500s and even has Elizabeth I’s coat of arms on the side of the building. For soothing grub after a day spent hopping between the town’s excellent boozers, not to mention ales from independent Kent breweries, the tiny Mermaid’s Locker is the perfect place to wind down.

Thought Sandwich was super-old? It’s nothing compared with the ruins of Richborough Roman Fort, just outside of town. Said to be where the Romans first set foot on British soil, it was once home to an arch marking the official entrance to Britannia. Roam around the crumbling walls and grass ditches in this impressive and peaceful place.

Sure, you could pitch up in rooms above any number of Sandwich’s lovely pubs. But why compromise on sleep when you could have peace and quiet in this beautiful detached house just a short drive away from town? Signal Cottage has its own private garden, not to mention views over classic English countryside. It’s the ideal way to make your stay in this pretty corner of Kent extra-special. From £85 per night