insideKENT Magazine Issue 89 - August 2019 | Page 40

TOWNSPOTLIGHT
SPOTLIGHT ON SANDWICH CONT.
Things to Do
Salutation Gardens
The stunning Salutation Gardens were designed by
Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1912. He took the 3.7 acr es
that e xisted and tur ned them into a series of
symmetrical ‘rooms’. Each one is unique and each
one is beautiful. Coming to the Salutation Gardens
offers tranquillity and peace to anyone who enters.
As well as the gardens, there is a hotel and restaurant
which is the fir st 20th-century building ever to be
granted Grade I status.
Sandwich Guildhall Museum and Archives
The Sandwich Guildhall Museum and Archives can
be found right in the heart of the town and is full of
the most intriguing , fascina ting local inter est
exhibitions and displays. Sandwich has its own copy
of the famous Magna Carta, a copy from 1300, as
well as the sister document, the Charter of the Forest,
which can both be seen at this museum.
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Richborough Roman Fort
Richborough R oman Fort is one of the most
important Roman sites in the entir e country. This
was where the Romans first landed and where many
settled in AD 43. It is also where they departed from
after almost four centuries in AD 410. Part of English
Heritage’s network of historical sites, at Richborough
you can e xplore the ancient stone walls and also
enjoy the museum. You can even catch a boat from
Sandwich itself and ar rive in the same style as
the Romans did.
The Sandwich Medieval Trust
The recently completed Sandwich Medieval Centre
opened its doors to the public this July. The iconic
oak-framed building by the River Stour has been
modified to include a working forge and medieval
baking oven to sit alongside replica medieval boat
making. The centre is being run b y the r ecently
formed registered charity, the Sandwich Medieval
Trust, as a visitor centre and an activity centre for
trust reenactors to practice and teach medieval crafts
such as boa t b uilding, metal w orking, baking ,
calligraphy, mead making and corn weaving, with a
special focus on engaging with the local population
including younger people. The trust will f ocus on
the 150-year period fr om the 1330s to the 1480s
when Sandwich was a major seaport and the leading
Cinque Port. The centre will be fully open to the
public as part of the Sandwich Festival on 23rd and
24th August.
Gazen Salts Nature Reserve
Gazen Salts is open throughout the year for those
who enjoy a peaceful, beautiful walk in nature. There
are over one and a half miles of paths in 15 acres
of woodland and wetland to choose from, taking
you through wildlife habitats and close to a central
lake. Animals that you can spot here include turtle
doves, water voles and woodpeckers.