The town of approximately 7000 people sits beside the River Stour, and was once a major port where armies departed for wars against France, and an important centre of maritime trade. It was one of the original Cinque Ports who provided men and ships to defend the coast, in return for a reduction in their taxes.

The river gradually silted up and the sea is now about two miles away, shingle at the top of the beach, and sandy as the tide recedes. On a busy Bank Holiday there may only be a few hundred people on the beach. There is usually a toll to the beach, but a permit can be provided.

The town was once defended by walls, gates and moats, but this is now replaces by a circular walk around the town where the defences once stood. Dutch Protestants came to Sandwich to flee the Spanish religious repression. There are many of their weavers' houses remaining in the town, mixed with English houses from the Middle Ages through to the present day making for a very picturesque streets.

Sandwich has much to offer with a Guildhall, museum and the Sandwich Magna Carta is due to be displayed in the future. There are many independent shops and cafes, bars and restaurants, river trips to the Roman Castle at Richborough, and to see the Seal colony towards the mouth of the river.

There area is well provided with golf courses, the best known be Royal St.Georges, Princes and The Royal Cinque Ports.