The first proposal for a station at Sandwich was in 1836–37 by the Kent Railway.[2] An independent line to London was considered, but the South Eastern Railway (SER) decided they would construct a branch line from the Ashford to Ramsgate line at Minster towards Sandwich and Deal.[3] The station was opened on 1 July 1847.[1]
Sandwich had once been a significant port in the Middle Ages, but because of changing geography had suffered a lengthy decline. It was hoped a railway would reverse this trend. In 1853, the Sandwich Improvement Association hoped to collaborate with the SER and develop a more significant seaport here, but the SER were not interested. The station initially had a very limited service, with only seven trains running each way, and between 1855 and 1865 the line was single track.[4] A connection to Dover Priory opened on 15 June 1881.[5]
Goods services were withdrawn on 7 October 1963.[1]