Sandwich Coastal & The Drill Hall

It's time for another trek with the Steely-Eyed Ninja Speed walkers. We notched up the distance a little for a 9.5k circular route from Sandwich Quay to the coast at Sandwich Bay and back again. Every walk must have lunch attached (it’s the law), so we finished up with lovely pizza at The Drill Hall. The walk was challenging… the route is flat and open, but Storm Herminia was rolling in, and the wind chill got to us all. There was whingeing, and some of it wasn’t coming from me. The worst of the storm hit in the afternoon, and fortunately, we were safely inside having a well-deserved lunch by then—big congratulations to Anna, Marcus, Nicola, Charlotte and Mila, who braved the elements with me today.

The Drill Hall on Sandwich Quay illustrates the varied roles such buildings have played over the decades. Initially serving as a Territorial Army Centre for much of the 20th century, it housed the Sandwich detachment of the Army and became a focal point for local military activity. During World War I, the hall operated as an enlistment centre, facilitating the recruitment of soldiers for the war effort.

Architecturally, drill halls emerged in the mid-19th century as key civic landmarks. Often designed with local pride in mind, these buildings were practical facilities for military training and served as administrative hubs, armouries, and significant social spaces for their communities. By 1963, the Sandwich Drill Hall reflected its utilitarian purpose by including a 25-yard indoor firing range for .22 calibre firearms, a feature that underscored its military function.

In modern times, the Drill Hall has undergone significant transformation. Like many others of its kind, it has been repurposed and is now housing a restaurant. This adaptation has embraced environmentally sustainable practices, with the business committed to zero landfill operations through the exclusive use of compostable materials and comprehensive waste composting.

The Drill Hall remains a valued part of the community, having been recognised as an Asset of Community Value. Given the loss of many similar structures, its survival is noteworthy. It continues to be a significant architectural and historical landmark for Sandwich and the surrounding area.