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- Sandwich, Kent (St Peter's Church)
St Peter's is the guardian of an ancient Sandwich tradition. Every day at 8pm, the curfew bell rings out, signalling that the townspeople should cover their fires to make them safe for the night. This was once known as the 'pigbell’, as it also informed people they could release their animals into the street.
This old Cinque Port church (Cinque Ports were the five harbour towns on the south coast which in Medieval times provided the king with ships and men in exchange for trading and other privileges) is a local landmark.
Much of today's building dates from 800 years ago, though it has been altered many times. The handsome tower with its distinctive onion dome top is a 17th-century addition - built by Flemish protestant refugees, in the style of their homeland churches.
There was once a Norman church on the site and traces of masonry from this building can still be seen at the west end. The present church dates from the late 13th-/early 14th-centuries, when Sandwich was at the height of its prosperity.
The atmospheric crypt - open by arrangement - was once a charnel house where bones from the graveyard were stored to make room for new graves.
Inside, the church is spacious and airy with few furnishings allowing you to easily appreciate the impressive size and proportions of the lofty interior. The Medieval roofs, handsome decorated windows, and the magnificently carved tomb recesses and effigies to local benefactors reflect the wealth and importance of the town and its people.
To locate this church on a map, click on the 'View on map' link that appears below the address information at the top of the page.
In centre of town; identifiable by its onion dome on top of the tower; main door on Market Street
Nearest railway station: Sandwich (0.3 mile). Bus route number 13, 13a, 14, 14a.
TR 331 580
01/05/12
Following on from the success of our Discover Wallpaintings project last year we are delighted to announce the launch of…
St Mary's Church, Sandwich, Kent
Sackings, earthquakes and collapsed towers
St Clement's Church, Knowlton, Kent
Cherubs bathe in coloured light
Richborough Roman Fort and Amphitheatre
Evocatively sited amid the East Kent marshes, Richborough is perhaps the most symbolically important of all Roman sites in Britain, witnessing both the beginning and almost the end of Roman rule here.
Richborough Roman Fort
English Heritage property
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
Click on images to view larger
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
Why not make your visit more enjoyable and informed by finding out more about this church and the CCT before you visit?
You can download a range of publications below including the relevant county guide, and any walk round guides we have for this church.
Kent County Guide (PDF, 4.7mb)
This free of charge short guide contains details of all the churches CCT cares for in Kent. Printed copies of the county guide are also available at the church.
St Mary's Church, Sandwich, Kent
Sackings, earthquakes and collapsed towers
Strand Street, Sandwich, Kent, CT13 9EU
See church page
St Clement's Church, Knowlton, Kent
Cherubs bathe in coloured light
Knowlton Court, Knowlton, Canterbury, Kent, CT3 1PT
See church page
All Saints' Church, West Stourmouth, Kent
A Saxon survivor in the Garden of England
Church Lane, West Stourmouth, Canterbury, Kent, CT3 1HT
See church page
Richborough Roman Fort and Amphitheatre Evocatively sited amid the East Kent marshes, Richborough is perhaps the most symbolically important of all Roman sites in Britain, witnessing both the beginning and almost the end of Roman rule here. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/richborough-roman-fort-and-amphitheatre
St Augustine's Abbey This great abbey, marking the rebirth of Christianity in southern England, was founded shortly after AD 597 by St Augustine. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/st-augustines-abbey
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
All our Kent churches are in CCT’s South East region.
Contact telephone: 01304 614390
Let’s Visit Kent website - We are very grateful to Let’s Visit for providing our 360 tours of Kent churches. Please visit their website!
Best Places to Visit in Kent website
Kent County Council website history section
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
If the access information for this church is listed as 'Keyholder nearby', this means that the key is kept by one of our invaluable volunteer 'keyholders', who usually live just a short walk from the church and can give visitors the key; sometimes this is a nearby hotel, pub, library, art gallery or other venue. You will find instructions explaining how to get the key when you arrive at the church.
Wheelchair access is possible into the church, although there are steps up to different areas within.
Due to the historic nature of our buildings, only a very small number of them have heating or running water meaning that they can be cold, and very rarely have toilet facilities. The lighting is usually operated via a 'push button' timer or a motion sensor. We do apologise for any inconvenience the lack of facilities may cause.
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The mellow stone, peace and serenity of this building, in the heart of the town, are rich reward for the casual visitor. A secluded garden in the former south aisle, maintained by a volunteer, offers a quiet place in which to sit. Further volunteer help enhances the surrounding churchyard with varied planting. This is a popular green space within the town. Another volunteer runs a secondhand bookstall in the church, which generates much-needed funds. A Friends group organises events in the church and helps fundraise - details are on the website at wwww.stpeterschurch-sandwich.or.uk. Don't miss this very special church if you are in the area.
As a frequent visitor to Sandwich I was happy to come across this website.
I especially love to sit in the beautifully peaceful garden alongside the church.
I love this church, however there is a lack of seating and the existing 2 benches were covered in dust and grit?
But thanks anyway for the peaceful sense of ancient stones.