Despite its position away from the sea, the town still holds a strong maritime connection as one of the Cinque Ports, with its long river channel and harbour playing an important role in trading and fishing.
Now home to a diverse mix of arts and culture, independent shops, pubs and restaurants, Rye is a popular place for tourists, offering a blend of history and the contemporary. Read on to find out about Rye’s best kept secrets, and our top picks of things to do when visiting this pretty town.
Stop off at the Rye Heritage Centre
Start your tour of Rye by learning a bit more about its history and how the town came to be as it is today. Pop into the Rye Heritage Centre, where a scale model of the town awaits you, housed in a 19th century sail loft. This hand-built model shows Victorian Rye at its best, complete with sounds and lighting effects to guide you through 700 years of the town’s history. New in 2021, the centre now also plays host to the Old Penny Pier Arcade, a collection of working early 20th century amusement arcade machines set in a Victorian-style pier, for a completely immersive experience.
Delve into the past at Rye Castle Museum and Ypres Tower
Located at two close-by locations, Rye Castle Museum and Ypres Tower offer you the chance to get up close and personal with the history of the town. Ypres Tower is a scheduled ancient monument, built in 1249 to defend the town against attacks from across the channel. Since then it has served as a fort, prison, courthouse and now as a museum. A short walk away is the Rye Castle Museum on East Street, in a building which originally served as a bottling factory. Today the building houses relics from Rye’s past, including a unique 18th century fire engine.
See what you can spot down at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve
Home to more than 4,355 species of plants and animals, Rye Harbour Nature Reserve is an important area for local wildlife. A patchwork of shingle beaches, lagoons, saltmarsh, grassland and reedbeds, this extensive reserve has several trails and information boards to help you discover more about this incredible site. Visit the Discovery Centre, where you can pick up information leaflets on the reserve, or sit back with a coffee in the Lime Kiln Café.
Climb the tower at St. Mary’s Church for a spectacular view over the town
St. Mary’s Church has stood at the centre of the old town for over 900 years, commanding a view from the top of the hill and making it a prominent local landmark. The clock itself is over 400 years old, and the bells of the tower have been hanging for over 250 years – although not the original ones as these were stolen in 1377! The view from the top of the tower is well worth the climb, and a great place to get your bearings before heading out to explore the town.
Visit Camber Castle
The ruins of Camber Castle lie within the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, approximately one mile from Rye on footpaths. Built by Henry VIII, this artillery fort was designed to guard the port of Rye. Whilst the exterior can be appreciated at any time, tours of the interior need to be booked through Sussex Wildlife Trust.
Paddle in the sea at Camber Sands
This glorious stretch of sandy beach is home to the only sand-dune system in East Sussex, which have been used as stand-ins for ‘desert scenes’ in several films. Unusually for Sussex, the entire extent of the beach is made up of sand rather than shingle, meaning it is a very popular spot for families. Fortunately, despite its popularity the beach is large, and so there is plenty of space for everyone to relax. Make sure you check the tide times as there are extensive shallows at low tide meaning a long wade before you can swim!
Browse the independent shops for quirky curios
Famed for its boutiques and independent shops, if you’re looking for that special gift, you’ll probably find it in Rye. Our favourites include McCully & Crane for homewares, art and gifts, and Halcyon Days for antiques, enamels and accessories.
Book a room at Rye Windmill
If you’re after a B&B with a difference, look no further than Rye Windmill. This grade II listed building is situated on the banks of the River Tillingham in idyllic surroundings. With ten rooms to choose from, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to booking in here. Enjoy breakfast in the old mill bakery, where the original bread ovens still sit nestled into the brick walls. For a truly special treat, book the Windmill Suite with its panoramic views of Rye from your own private balcony.
Take yourself on a literary tour
Rye has long been a magnet for artistic types, including many authors. Author E.F. Benson penned his Mapp and Lucia books with a town named Tilling, which is based on Rye where he was for a time mayor of the town. Lamb House features in the series, and was home to the author in the 1920s. Before E.F. Benson, Henry James lived at Lamb House, and in 1726 King George I stayed there. The site is now managed by the National Trust, with tours available throughout the summer.
Catch a film or concert at Kino Rye
Housed in a converted Victorian School, Kino Rye is the heart of the arts culture scene in Rye. As well as two cinema screens, Kino Rye has a café and exhibition space which hosts events throughout the year.
Take a tour at Chapel Down Vineyard
Situated just north of Rye, Chapel Down is one of the best-known English wine producers, creating sumptuous sparkling wines and roses for you to sample. The winery runs guided tours at weekends, and you can join them in a wine tasting class to get to know your wines a bit better.
Take a ride on the Kent & East Sussex Railway
Steam through stunning Rother valley aboard the Kent & East Sussex railway, a heritage line which has been in use for over 100 years. With a journey time of approximately 50 minutes each way, there are two stops where you can get out and explore before hopping back to Tenterden station. You can even dine in style with their Wealden Pullman service!
Get some adrenaline going on the water
If you’re up for some active time, head on down to Rye Watersports where you can try your hand at windsurfing, kitesurfing, sailing and paddleboarding amongst others. Hire a canoe to explore by yourself, or brush up on your skills with one of their many courses.
Take a Full Throttle Boat Charter
If you’d rather take a guided boat trip, but still need an adrenaline rush, then look no further than Full Throttle Boat Charters. Trips around the bay have never been more exciting than with Full Throttle, which will see you whizzing across the water on their rib boats. You can even charter the rib just for you, or if you fancy attempting a swim across the English channel, they can help with that too!
Free Things to do in Rye
There are loads of free things to do in Rye – the Ypres Tower and Castle Museum are both free of charge, as is Rye Heritage Centre. Below we’ve listed some more great things which you can do without them costing a penny!
Head down to the iconic Red Roofed Hut
Situated on the Harbour’s edge, this tiny fishermen’s hut was built to store fishing and shrimping equipment. It has since become famous amongst locals and tourists alike for its distinctive red roof, providing the perfect photo opportunity. Indeed, this unassuming building has provided inspiration not only for photographers, but also features on ceramics sets, artworks and even in films.
Visit the Mary Stanford Lifeboat House
Once a former lifeboat house built in 1882. The lifeboat it housed, named the Mary Stanford, came into service in 1916. In November 1928, the lifeboat was launched into a terrible storm whilst attempting to rescue the survivors of Alice of Riga. The lifeboat capsized and all 17 crew were lost. The lifeboat house was decommissioned and has remained as a monument to those who died in the disaster.
Visit the Rye Art Gallery
Housing permanent and changing collections from local artists, the gallery is a registered charity and shows an eclectic mix of ceramics, glass, collage and fine art.
Admire the imposing 14th century Landgate
Built to defend Rye from invading forces, it's the only one of two which were built to survive today.
Spend some time mooching around one of the town's many antique shops
These treasure troves of delights have everything from furniture to dinner sets, and are well worth a visit. Have a look at Wishbarn Antiques and the Black Sheep Shop to get you started.
See the awe-inspiring Mermaid Street
With its hodgepodge of cobbles winding narrowly through the town, backed on both sides by crooked timber houses and leafy cottage windows, it is no wonder that Mermaid Street is one of the most photographed in England. With a certain essence of Godric’s Hollow for you Harry Potter fans, this medieval street will have you marvelling at its storybook atmosphere and charm.
Best Places for Food in Rye
Rye is a hive of activity for those looking to indulge in some foodie delights. From microbreweries to fish & chip stalls, we’ve got you covered..
- Start your day with a coffee from Café des Fleurs surrounded by beautiful flowers and bouquets. Situated next to Rye station, this is a definite place to stop off on your journey around town.
- Try some fresh, local food at the Globe Marsh Inn. The inn uses locally coppiced and managed chestnut as part of their heating and cooking regime, with 25% of their energy costs being reinvested into local woodlands.
- Sample some local brew at the Rye Waterworks Micropub. The first micropub to open in South East Sussex, this pub was originally a water pump house before becoming a soup kitchen in the 1890s. Serving eight local ales, two keg beers and twelve local ciders, this is a place to enjoy an afternoon of East Sussex’s finest. Even better – it’s dog friendly.
- Combine a drop of history with a hearty lunch at The Mermaid Inn. This 600-year old inn is oozing with history around every corner, from the Giant’s Fireplace to the hidden Priest Hole, this is a truly unique building and a feast for both your stomach and your eyes.
- Scratch your chocoholic itch at Knoops, located right next to the Landgate. This chocolate heaven serves milkshakes, iced chocolate and hot chocolate, as well as teas and coffees. You can personalise your drink to your exacting taste under the watchful eye of Jens, the owner.
- Sample some fine local fare at The Union. This modern British restaurant is situated in an amazing 15th century building at the heart of Rye. With food prepared according to the seasons, the restaurant prides itself on cooking with locally-sourced ingredients.
- Grab a freakshake on the hoof at The Hoof! Catering to both takeaway and sit-in, this local restaurant serves honest, simple food with a twist. With food being sourced from their farm just four miles away, you can be assured that the ‘farm to plate’ mantra rings true at Hoof.
- Treat yourself to an amazing cake or pastry at the Whitehouse. This bakery and café is open 7 days a week and specialises in ‘lazy bread’ from their in-house bakery.
- Sit down for a cream tea at the Mermaid Street Café, situated within the Oldborough Arms at the top of Mermaid Street.
- Tuck into a British tradition with fish & chips from Marino’s Fish Bar. Available as both a sit-in and takeaway option, Marino’s is consistently rated by locals as ‘the best fish & chips in town’!
- Pop in to the William the Conqueror pub at Rye Harbour, where hearty, home-cooked meals are their pride and joy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does Rye have a beach?
Whilst Rye itself doesn’t have a beach, nearby Camber Sands is a stunning stretch of golden sands, perfect for sandcastle building, kite flying and safe paddling.
What is Rye in Sussex famous for?
As well as being one of the best-preserved medieval towns in England, Rye has a strong literary connection including authors such as E.F. Benson and Russell Thorndyke, who penned the Dr Syn smuggling adventures set in nearby Romney Marsh.
What can I do with kids in Rye?
Rye is perfect for children, from nature trails around the Harbour Nature Reserve to spooky tales of smugglers at the Castle Museum. Let them run free and paddle at Camber Sands, or take them out on a paddleboard for some water-based fun.
