The Cinque Ports: Sandwich

The Cinque Port of Sandwich

The town of Sandwich is now 2 miles from the sea. When it was at the height of it's power, between the eleventh and thirteenth centuries, Sandwich Haven was a major port in England. It was the landing place for pilgrims on their way to Canterbury and travellers to London.

According to the Cinque Port Charter of 1668, Fordwich was then a corporate member town, associated with Sandwich, and Deal a non corporate member. Deal grew to be a much busier port and took over Fordwich's position and is now the main associate.

Sandwich only began to decline as a port in the sixteenth century, as the sea began to recede even more.