Rye Things to Do Tips by zadunajska8 Top 5 Page for this destination

Landgate

The Landgate is the one surviving gate of the original four in the medieval defensive walls of the town of Rye. There is little left of these walls now except the Landgate which sits at the North East corner of the old town and is a nice place to enter the old town - although if you've arrived in Rye by train this does mean taking a short detour.

The gate dates back to 1329 and would originally actually have had gates and a portcullis to keep out unwanted visitors. It now has a clock each side instead as Rye tends to want to allow visitors in rather than keep them out!

Address: Landgate, Rye

Directions: In the North Eastern corner of the old town of Rye.

Ypres Tower & Medieval Herb Garden

The Ypres Tower (pronounced 'wipers' and not the correct way to say Ypres the Belgian town!) looks just like what you would imagine a sand castle to look like. It offres superb views over what was once the harbour it was built to protect in the 14th century, but where there was once sea, there is now farmland.
The Tower also has been used as a prison and the current museum shows off one of the dank cells previously used for inmates.
The basement shows off a display of swords and other weapons and mainly seems to appeal to children. Other exhibits include maps showing the development and changing coastline of this part of the south east of England and a still room which shows how medicinal plants and other herbs were used.
Outside there is also a small and attractive walled garden which is now the medieval herb garden. When we visited this was equiped with a lady in medieval dress eager to tell us all about teh different plants and how they may have been used.

Address: Gun Garden, Rye

Directions: In the South east corner of old Rye.

Strand Quay

Along Strand Quay are the black half timbered buildings which were once the warehouses of the thriving Cinque Port. Now these have been converted into shops, offices and restaurants alongside the Tillingham River. On a summer day the area is buzzing with life and there are many tempting restaurants (usually serving seafood) ready to welcome you to sit down and rest and refresh. I'd suggest you find one you like and do just that. Take a seat outside and watch the world go by.

Address: Strand Quay, Rye, TN31 7AY

Directions: To the south west of the old town hill alongside the river.

Parish Church of St Mary

The tower of this church still sticks out above the rest of Rye's skline when seen from a far, just as it has for 900 years now. The church also has the oldest church turret clock which is still functioning in all of England (dating from 1561). You can see the pendulum mechanism from within the church if you climb the tower. You'll also see the church bells and get a brilliant view across Rye and the surrounding countryside from up here.

The church seems to be a bit of a hotch-potch of various styles from over the centuries and this helps to add to it's charm. The stained glass windows are attractive but not that old being late Victorian.

Address: Church Square, Rye, TN31 7HF

Directions: From Rye High Street, turn up Lion Street and the Church is right ahead of you.

Church of St Anthony of Padua

This little church in pretty Watchbell Street in Rye has something of a Spanish look about it from outside. Inside it's a charming and small catholic church. It doesn't take long to visit but is worth popping in for a look.

Address: Watchbell Street, Rye, TN31 7HB

Directions: In the old part of Rye, behind the churchyard of the larger St Marys parish church.

Lonely Camber Castle

Camber castle is an old Tudor artillery fort located outside Rye in the fields of the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. It's a property owned by English Heritage but has fairly limited opening hours and these do change so see the english heritage website for details before going.

You can't get here by car. You also can't get here by public transport. You just have to walk across the fields. I have found that it is nice to walk across the Rye Harbour nature reserve from Rye train station on a fine summer day. East Sussex county council have a suggested walk on their website

http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/leisureandtourism/countryside/walks/circular/Walk02.htm

The castle when open is staffed by volunteers of the nature reserve and when I have visited the gentleman on duty has offered guided tours of the castle. These are worth doing. Without this you might leave just thinking that you've seen a pile of rubble and old crumbling walls. The guided tour brings the history of the place to life and you get to see things that you would otherwise probably miss - such as the Tudor graffiti mocking Henry VIII.

Address: Near Rye.

Directions: A 1 and a quarter mile walk across the fields to the south of Rye Town Centre.

Website: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/camber-castle/