I stayed in an unspoilt medieval town with direct trains to London – it was magical

Walking the streets of Sandwich in Kent, you’d think you were in a period drama. The town has remained largely unspoilt and is one of Britain’s most well-preserved medieval .

Half-timbered houses line the streets and a wealth of historic sites can be spotted around every corner.

Over Christmas, I was lucky enough to stay in a quaint cottage in Sandwich with my family. It was delightful. The had original beams and slanted floors and was located in the heart of the town next to the River Stour. The only thing that was missing was a dusting of snow on Christmas morning.

While there wasn’t much open during the Christmas , meandering around the town during a leisurely dog walk made me appreciate its rich history.

Many of the town’s properties date back to the 16th century, including the Sandwich Guildhall Museum, which was built in 1579.

The Sandwich Guildhall is the perfect place to start if you’re looking to learn more about Sandwich’s history. The museum tells the story of the town’s humble beginnings all the way through to the present day.

One of the museum’s many treasures is the 1300 AD Sandwich Magna Carta and Charter of the Forest. The documents from 1300 were discovered in 2015 in an archive scrapbook and are believed to be worth a staggering £10million.

Even if you’re not interested in some of the exhibits, the Grade II-listed building itself is a thing to behold. The courtroom has wooden panelling that dates back to 1607 and a stained glass window, installed in 1906, depicting Queen Elizabeth I arriving at Sandown Gate in Sandwich in 1573.

Sandwich is also home to Fisher Gate, a three-storey 14th-century town gate that is the only surviving original medieval gate in the town. The gate is a Grade I-listed building and has been classified as an ancient monument.

The lower portion of the gate was built in about 1384, while the top floors were added in 1578.

Another fascinating building in the small town is The Barbican, located on the high street. The 16th-century bastion’s chequered brickwork is truly unique, making it a real stand-out amongst the other buildings.

Originally, the bastion was part of the town’s defences and guarded the bridge. It’s a charming reminder that the town used to be one of the Cinque Ports.

One of my favourite pubs in Sandwich is The George & Dragon. This olde worlde pub offers fantastic pub classics, with good-quality seafood and steak being a highlight.

The pub comes with its own rich history as well which means you can enjoy a pint of ale while imagining yourself transported back in time to the Tudor period.

The inn was originally built in 1446 and was named ‘George and Dragon’ back in 1615.

If you’re looking for a proper sit-down meal, then I highly recommend The Toll Bridge Restaurant & Bar. The riverside restaurant offers modern smoked and grilled dishes alongside British classics.

Last time I visited I had their ‘Smokey Bento Box’ which sets you back £25. The dish is served in a box and includes delicious Korean chicken wings, a pulled pork bao bun, crispy soft shell crab, smoked pork rib and a sticky soy glaze.

I enjoyed this with a side of grilled broccoli, which included a curry spiced crunch and chilli oil. To this day, it’s the best broccoli I’ve ever eaten.

For keen golfers, Sandwich is home to the crème de la crème of golf courses, The Royal St. Georges Golf Club, which has hosted the Open Championship 15 times since 1894.

The club has hosted the Open more than any other in England. Author Ian Fleming, who is known for the James Bond series of novels, used the Royal St George’s course under the name ‘Royal St. Marks’ in his 1959 novel Goldfinger.

Getting to Sandwich from London couldn’t be easier. The small town is located 65 miles away from the capital and takes roughly an hour and a half via train. Trains run from St Pancras International with around 64 services available each day.