One of the best preserved medieval centres in the UK, Sandwich is a collection of timber-framed houses set in quiet lanes, dotted with properly ancient churches. It was one of the original Cinque Ports which were established in 1155 in order to provide ships for Crown use on a given number of days per year. Some of our pick of the best places to stay in Sandwich are equally historic. We've uncovered a range of friendly B&Bs, historic pubs-with-rooms and smaller hotels.

As well as its lovely early architecture, Sandwich boasts roots going back to Roman times and the ruins of the Roman fort of Richborough are nearby. The town also has one of the original copies of the Magna Carta in its Guildhall Museum. You'll also find an Art Deco cinema and a good collection of cafes, bars and restaurants, not to mention the independent shops and galleries.

Keen golfers will be spoilt with a stay here! The Royal St George's course is a regular host of the British Open and there are plenty more courses to choose from in the area. Other outdoors activities include birdwatching (head to the Monk's Wall Nature Reserve or the bird observatory at Sandwich Bay — the area is known for its migrating waders and wildfowl), cycling and walking — whether over the white cliffs and coastal paths or in the pretty inland countryside. And we can't talk about the Kent coast without mentioning the beaches. The closest is the long sand and shingle Sandwich Bay, but you can easily head slightly further afield to either Deal or Pegwell Bay.

As with many coastal destinations the best places to stay in Sandwich are incredibly busy during the peak summer months. If you plan to visit in July or August, get organised and book well ahead.

The Best Places to Stay in Sandwich

For the historic centre of town

• The Bell Hotel is an elegant old hotel in the heart of Sandwich, right on the Stour riverfront. It has 37 rooms and suites, all of them a good size, and decorated in simple, contemporary shapes and colours. The restaurant is a hotel highlight, known for its fresh, local seafood, beautifully prepared.

Prefer a Private Apartment or Cottage?

• If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• If you’re travelling to Sandwich from London, there are regular direct trains from St. Pancras, with a journey time of around an hour and a half. If you’re coming from further away you might want to fly in to Southend Airport, which is about an hour and a half away by car or taxi, but about three hours by train, or Gatwick Airport, which is about the same distance away by road or rail.
• If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• Being on the coast, the most popular time to visit Sandwich is during the summer, though there’s still plenty of fun to be had here in the cooler months, and some positively bracing walking weather to enjoy.

Still not sure where to stay?

• Expand your search to include all of the best places to stay in Kent
• Consider one of Sandwich’s neighbours: Deal, Ramsgate or Broadstairs
• Refine your search by the type of accommodation you’re looking for and consider our Gurus recommendations for the best pubs-with-rooms in Kent or Kent’s most romantic hotels
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.