View from the top of St Peter's Church tower

Image: © Marathon Taken: 28 Mar 2017

The Church of St Peter is very much at the centre of Sandwich. The present church dates from the late 13th and early 14th centuries, when Sandwich was at the height of its prosperity. The central tower fell in 1661 and destroyed the south aisle which was never re-built. The replacement tower is a 17th-century addition, and was built by Flemish protestant refugees in the style of their homeland churches. 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. The church is Grade I Listed and is under the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. See http://www.visitchurches.org.uk/Ourchurches/Completelistofchurches/St-Peters-Church-Sandwich-Kent/ for more information. The church is surrounded by attractive buildings as seen here, helped by the fact that Sandwich is the most complete medieval town in England. The impression is of a French or Dutch town because of its Flemish history. This view looks north beyond the River Stour to the industrial estates at Great Stonar.

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