Rye

Rye is a small, picturesque medieval town in East Sussex, near England’s southeast coast. It sits slightly inland from the sea on the River Romney on a hill, overlooking the Romney Marsh and close to Camber Sands’ wide sandy beach. Known for its cobbled streets, half-timbered houses, and historic landmarks like Mermaid Street, St. Mary’s Church tower, and the Ypres Tower, it feels wonderfully preserved and atmospheric. Rye has a lively arts and antiques scene, cozy pubs and tea rooms, independent shops, and regular festivals, making it a charming place for wandering, history, and relaxed exploring.

Rye started life as a small fishing community. Originally part of the Manor of Rameslie, Rye was promised to the Abbey of Fécamp by Ethelred the Unready after the Abbey gave him sanctuary in 1014. When Normandy was returned to the French in 1205, Rye went with it and wasn't reunited with the English Crown until 1247. After this, Rye's defences were boosted with the construction of four gates and a wall.

Parts of these fortifications still exist, with the Landgate, castle and a small section of the wall in Cinque Port Street dating back to this time.

The Charter of the Cinque Ports consolidated the defence of the realm, with towns along the coast of Kent and Sussex providing safe harbour, ships and men.

In return, the 'Antient Towns', including Hastings, Rye and Winchelsea, were granted freedom from taxes and custom duties, trading concessions and rights to hold judicial courts."

Rye was "regularly attacked" by the French and was almost completely destroyed in 1377.

The town was heavily involved with smuggling in the 18th century, with "hoards of booty stored in old vaulted cellars networked by secret tunnels and passages.

Today, Rye is "home to a myriad of art, curiosities and cosy pubs, as well as modern boutique hotels and contemporary restaurants serving the best Sussex has to offer, from land and sea".

Rye is home to one of the prettiest streets in Britain

Mermaid Street in Rye is often selected as one of the most picturesque in the country.

Just recently, it made a list from The Telegraph of the top 20 prettiest streets in Britain.

The publisher wrote: "In the late 19th century, Mermaid Street was one of Rye’s poorest addresses, populated by labourers and infested with rats. How times change.

Now, this cobbled alley of close-knit Georgian and half-timbered buildings – with cute names like The House with Two Front Doors and The House with The Seat – is Rye’s most loved.

Lamb House, an 18th-century red-brick pile where Henry James once lived, is around the corner.

One of the most popular spots in the town is on Mermaid Street, and that is the historic Mermaid Inn. Its cellars date from 1156, with the building rebuilt in 1420 and, as shared on its website, The Mermaid Inn says it has a reputation for being haunted, with plenty of stories over its 600 years of history.

Actress Kiki Kendrick and her husband Robin had booked four nights in the Elizabethan Bedchamber in the 90s in what was their first visit to Rye.

They claim that on their first night, at about 4am, both sat bolt upright in bed, feeling an "eerie presence".

They say the warm room had suddenly turned strangely cold and they could hear a fight going on in the corner of the room.

Kiki said: "By the fireplace, there were huffs and puffs and sounds of clashing knives. We could see shapes moving, as if looking through opaque glass. They fought violently. It was very scary."

Other people have said they have seen doors opening by themselves and rooms suddenly turning cold.

There have also been reports of feeling something brush past them despite nothing being there.

Things to do in Rye, Sussex

The 1066 Country website has outlined some of the best things to do in this fairytale town.

It recommends a visit to the Rye Heritage Centre, Rye Castle Museum and Rye Castle to enjoy the town's rich history.

It adds: "The literary-minded will also love Lamb House, the one-time home of Henry James.

Next to the Town Hall, in a former Victorian library, you'll find the stylish independent cinema and café-bar, Kino Cinema.

Rye has its own nature reserve, with footpaths crossing its saltmarsh and shingle ridges and wonderful views across to Camber Sands and the cliffs of Hastings Country Park.

Shopping in Rye is also fantastic, with antique shops and Rye Pottery among the many great choices.

If you are seeking something more thrilling, you can plan a boat trip from Full Throttle Boat Charters, or a lesson in windsurfing, dinghy sailing or paddleboarding from Rye Watersports.

Romney Marsh is a large, low-lying coastal plain. Historically it was marshland and tidal wetlands, gradually drained and reclaimed over many centuries using ditches, canals, and sea defenses. Today it’s a distinctive landscape of flat open fields, sheep pastures, winding waterways, and big skies, with scattered villages and ancient churches. It’s known for its wildlife, birdlife, and quiet, slightly other-worldly atmosphere, as well as its role in smuggling history and coastal defense.

A Martello Tower (No 28) was built at Rye Harbour to defend the area against possible invasion during the Napoleonic wars. Today, lying unoccupied, it provides a picturesque setting.

The Rye Harbour Nature Reserve is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and entry is free. It has a network of footpaths which provide fascinating cycling or walks along the sea shore, across fields and large areas of shingle. There is the opportunity to observe wildlife from several excellent bird hides.

Camber Castle, built by Henry VIII, lies to the west close to Rye Harbour. It can only be reached by bike or on foot from a footpath at the Rye end of the Rye Harbour Road, through the Rye Nature Reserve or from a footpath a Winchelsea Beach.