Sandwich Museum and Archives

Sandwich Guildhall Museum, situated in the heart of the town, tells the
rich and varied story of Sandwich through the ages, from its early
beginnings to the present day.

Located in the 16th Century Guildhall the museum houses treasures
including the 1300 A.D Sandwich Magna Carta and Charter of the Forest as well as artefacts dating back to the Mesolithic period.

Thanks to a Heritage Lottery Fund bid, awarded in 2016 the museum has been refurbished and reopened in May 2017. This has included activities for children, special exhibitions and animations created by Royal Holloway College, University of London.

You can learn ...

Why the Sandwich Mayoral attire must be black.
Why you get given a bun for running around a chapel.
How Sandwich came to play an integral part in the evacuation of German Jews during World War Two.

and much much more.

Address	Sandwich Museum and Archives The Guildhall Sandwich Kent CT13 9AH
Phone	01304 617197
Email	museum@sandwichtowncouncil.gov.uk
Website	https://www.sandwichguildhallmuseum.co.uk/

Directions

The museum is based in the centre of the town, there is a public car park behind the Guildhall building.

There is a bus stop (Guildhall, Cattle Market) directly outside the museum. For visitors arriving by train there is a short 10 minute walk to the museum along the picturesque Rope Walk.

Facilities

We have no publically available toilet in the museum but there are public conveniences in the Guildhall Car Park behind the museum.

Access

The Museum is accessible to wheelchair users, we do recommend letting us know if multiple whellchair users are visiting as the space is small and we would like to ensure you are able make the most out of your visit.

The museum is furnished with chairs throughout and if any visitor needs additional assistance they are encouraged to ask the guide on duty who will be happy to help.

We are equipped with noise cancelling headphones if visitors would feel more at ease exploring the museum in silence.

Some of our staff are MyGuide trained and would be happy to give a tour suited to anyone who may experience sight loss. It is recommended that you contact in advance to ensure trained staff members are available.

All volunteers are dementia friends.

Prices

The museum is free entry. We encourage donations, 100% of all donations go back into the museum and archives.

There may be additional charges for special exhibitions or tours.

Opening Times

We are working on these and expect them to be with you shortly.

Group Visits

Groups visits are welcome, please email or call the Museum and Heritage Manager to arrange museum@sandwichtowncouncil.gov.uk 01304 617197

Tours can also be arranged of the whole Guildhall building including those areas not usually open to the public.

History

Sandwich Guildhall Museum and Archives are housed in the historic Guildhall building, in the very heart of Sandwich. The building dates from 1549 and includes a Court Room which is almost entirely intact from its Tudor origins.

The museum was opened in its current location in 1992 and then was refurbished in 2017 with a Heritage Lottery Fund Bid which refreshed the museum, improved the visitor experience and also made it possible for the Sandwich Magna Carta and Charter of the Forest to return to the town.

The museum tells the story of Sandwich and its surrounding villages from the Mesolithic period to the modern day.

Schools

School visits are welcomed and we can offer set activities or work with you to create a bespoke offering. Please fill out the form on the website and email it to museum@sandwichtowncouncil.gov.uk or call 01304 617197 to discuss.

We are members of the Wheels of Time scheme and we have family friendly trails and dressing up.