Sandwich - Church of St Mary

Horsepond Sluice at the end of Church Street is part of the ancient course of the Delf Stream diverted here in 13th century.
St Mary's Church (Churches Conservation Trust) built on the site of a 7th century Saxon convent there remains substantial parts of a large Norman church, despite the town having been sacked by the French in the 13th and 15 centuries, an earthquake in the 16th century and the collapse of the tower in the 17th century. The north arcade was then replaced with massive chestnut columns and the immense barn-like breadth of the nave and south aisle was roofed in one span. The tower over the south porch has a wooden belfry built in 1718, and there are monuments from several periods and some interesting fittings.

Grade I listed building