Rye

Eastbourne Bexhill Hastings Rye Winchelsea
A thriving market town, beautifully preserved, with a maze of cobbled streets crammed with medieval, Tudor and Georgian buildings. The town’s maritime heritage dates back to Norman times when it was owned by the Abbey of Fecamp in Normandy. By the 18th century, Rye had become a major centre for smuggling and some of the secret tunnels and passages the smugglers crept through can be seen today on a Blue Badge Guide tour. There are also two audio walking tours of the town and an impressive walk to Camber Castle across the marshes. There is a scenic cycle track from Rye to Camber. Camber beach, with over half a mile to walk to the water’s edge at low tide, provides plenty of opportunity to beachcomb for beautiful shells. The outstanding surrounding area has everything from Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, golden sands beach at Camber and the Romney Marsh. The Marsh is famous for its sheep and smuggling. RSPB Dungeness Nature Reserve, occupies 2000 acres of the Dungeness peninsular, the largest shingle formation of its kind in Europe and is an area famous for its rich variety of animal and plant life. Lydd and New Romney both have town trails.

Rye is a Community Rail Station

Station Partners

Southeast Community Rail Partnership
Lamb House

Lamb House

This red-brick Georgian house has literary associations - both Henry James and E. F. Benson lived here. Lamb House has a walled garden, one of the largest gardens in the old town of Rye. Find roses, lilies, spring bulbs and many herbaceous varieties bordering the lawn which ensure continuous colour and interest throughout the year.
Rye Harbour & Nature Reserve

Rye Harbour & Nature Reserve

An old fishing village with a lovely church that includes a memorial to the lifeboat tragedy. Near the Martello Tower is the entrance to Sussex Wildlife Trust nature reserve. Discover wildlife in a mosaic of coastal habitats - shingle, saltmarsh, lagoons, and reedbeds. Explore its changing coastline and military history, or simply enjoy a walk beside the sea.
Rye Castle Museum

Rye Castle Museum

The Museum is at two locations. The 14th century Ypres Tower has good views over what was once the largest and most important harbour in the country. The main exhibition on Rye's history is at 3 East Street, including ever-so-high stilts used in hop picking, and Rye’s old fire engine complete with leather hoses and battered lead-lined water buckets.

Community Rail Information