Sandwich in Kent, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
New Street and the Ropewalk
Photographed by Ray Gurganus, March 31, 2025
1. New Street and the Ropewalk Marker
Inscription.
New Street and the Ropewalk. . Here stood 'New Gate', one of the five medieval entrances into the walled town. It was probably built, to guard the Dover road, in 1385 when the first fortifications were erected, but it was rebuilt by the Tailors and Drapers of Sandwich in 1541. It was sold and demolished in the 18th century., The old town walls continue from here as the 'Ropewalk'. After the wooden palisade was removed, the flat top of the earth wall was used for ship's rope-making which required a long, straight stretch for 'walking-out', where the strands of the rope were braided and made taut., In New Street, Thomas Paine lived and worked as a staymaker between 1759 and 1760, before he wrote his political pamphlets which influenced both the French and American Revolutions. After the War of American Independence, he helped to write the Constitution of 1787 and later became a member of the French Revolutionary Assembly., Alongside New Street runs the Dell Stream which was used as the town's water supply and sewerage from 1206 until 1894, when piped water was installed in the town only after the Mayor died of typhoid. Pollution was a big problem and there were strict laws about where to water animals and wash clothes. Houses by the stream were ordered to glaze their windows, an expensive luxury at the time, to stop rubbish being thrown into the stream., (French text not transcribed:)
Here stood 'New Gate', one of the five medieval entrances into the walled town. It was probably built, to guard the Dover road, in 1385 when the first fortifications were erected, but it was rebuilt by the Tailors and Drapers of Sandwich in 1541. It was sold and demolished in the 18th century.
The old town walls continue from here as the 'Ropewalk'. After the wooden palisade was removed, the flat top of the earth wall was used for ship's rope-making which required a long, straight stretch for 'walking-out', where the strands of the rope were braided and made taut.
In New Street, Thomas Paine lived and worked as a staymaker between 1759 and 1760, before he wrote his political pamphlets which influenced both the French and American Revolutions. After the War of American Independence, he helped to write the Constitution of 1787 and later became a member of the French Revolutionary Assembly.
Alongside New Street runs the Dell Stream which was used as the town's water supply and sewerage from 1206 until 1894, when piped water was installed in the town only after the Mayor died of typhoid. Pollution was a big problem
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and there were strict laws about where to water animals and wash clothes. Houses by the stream were ordered to glaze their windows, an expensive luxury at the time, to stop rubbish being thrown into the stream.
Location. 51° 16.32′ N, 1° 20.445′ E. Marker is in Sandwich, England, in Kent. It is on New Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 86 New Street, Sandwich, England CT13 9BD, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Greater South East. Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe, in Atlantic Europe, on one of the British Isles, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: St Clement's Church (about 240 meters away, measured in a direct line);
Credits. This page was last revised on May 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 21, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 159 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on May 21, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
