Rye, East Sussex, is one of those pretty little market towns that time seems to have passed by. Nestled between the green rolling hills of the South Downs and the English Channel Rye is a Cinque Port town in Sussex and one of the best-preserved medieval towns in England.
If you’re visiting East Sussex the higgledy-piggledy half-timbered houses and muddle of steep cobbled lanes, beach walks and ancient inns make Rye town the perfect place for a Sussex weekend break. Read on for some of my favourite things to do in Rye.
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Things to do in Rye, East Sussex – Day 1
When you visit Rye you should start your weekend by wandering through it’s quaint little lanes. With names like Watchbell Lane and Wish Street you can’t fail to be enchanted. Start at Landgate and make your way Rye town centre and the High Street exploring the cobbled lanes leading off it.
A weekend break in Rye should always include some ghost hunting so listen out for the ghostly footsteps of smugglers past running through the cobbled alleyways.
The Landgate, Rye
Rye Castle
Today Rye sits two miles away from the coast, however, before the river silted up the town used to be right on the shoreline and was a prime spot for smuggling. You can see a smuggler’s signalling lamp on display at Ypres Tower home to Rye Castle Museum.
The tower, which is known as Wipers tower (a play on Ypres) to locals, is also worth a climb to take in the views over the town and out to the estuary of the river Rother.
Ypres Tower, Rye, East Sussex
Half-timbered Cottages, Rye, East Sussex
MORE UK WEEKEND BREAK INSPIRATION…
A Weekend Break in St Ives, Cornwall • An Isle of Man Weekend Getaway • A Weekend Break in Suffolk • A Seaside Break in Sunny Eastbourne • Devon Days Out – What to do in Ilfracombe
Shops in Rye
A visit to Rye wouldn’t be complete without some shopping. Check out the quaint shops in and around the High Street. Four Doors (East Street) is great for bits and pieces you don’t really need but can’t leave without buying. The Shop Next Door (to The George in The High Street) stocks gorgeous home ware and gifts.
Next head down to Strand Quay where you can delve through the antique and up-cycled furniture shops. There’s always a gem to be found there. I love Crock and Cosy, a vintage kitchen shop, where you can find retro kitchenware – just like Grandma used to have.
There’s a thriving art scene in Rye and you’ll find art galleries full of work by local artists.
Places to stay in Rye, East Sussex – check rates and availability
Crock and Cosy, vintage kitchen shop, Rye
Places to eat in Rye
For a light bite the High Street is overflowing with quirky tea rooms and cafes; both The Fig and Edith’s House are worthy of a stop. If you’re looking for atmosphere then there are pubs with history stretching back hundreds of years.
The Mermaid Inn, Rye and Ye Olde Bell Inn used to be connected by a secret passage used by smugglers. Not so secret is the great food they serve in beautiful ancient settings.
Both pubs have pretty little gardens – perfect if the weather’s behaving itself. Knoop’s Cafe by Tower Forge serves up the best hot chocolate and milk shakes in the South.
Ye Olde Bell Inn, Rye
Rye Harbour Nature Reserve
After lunch head over to Rye Harbour, which runs alongside the river Rother, to walk off your lunch. It’s one of my favourite things to do in Rye. If you’re lucky you might spot a seal. Drive or take the number 312 bus from Rye train station. Rye Harbour Nature Reserve is just a few minutes walk from the harbour. So far over 280 species of bird have been recorded in the conservation area.
Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, East Sussex
A network of paths take you past freshwater gravel-pits, lagoons, areas of shingle and salt marsh habitat. Hides are dotted around for wildlife watching or you can just enjoy the fresh sea air and the coastal flowers. Look out for ‘Little Red’ an iconic hut which has been on the site since 1904.
Places to stay in Rye, East Sussex – check rates and availability
Little Red Hut Rye, East Sussex
More Things to do in Sussex
A Day Trip to Brighton • The Best Sussex Bluebell Woods • The Best Sussex Bluebell Woods
Restaurants in Rye
There’s no shortage of restaurants in Rye but two of my personal favourites are The Devil in Rye where Dev Biswal serves up subtle Indian food with a British twist. Read my review here. For the freshest fish from the local fleet head for Webbe’s at The Fish Cafe.
What to do in Rye – Day 2
Literary Rye
Rye must inspire creativity because it’s had many literary and artisitic connections. Visit Lamb House which was home to Henry James who wrote three of his novels whilst living in Rye. The Mapp and Lucia novels by E.F. Benson were based on the town and Lamb House, where he also lived, was the film location of ‘Malllards’, the home of Miss Mapp.
Conrad Aitken and Radclyff Hall were both residents in Rye as was John Ryan who created the Captain Pugwash stories. Spike Milligan was another famous resident of the town.
Camber Sands
If you’re fond of sand dunes and salty air… Pack up a picnic (Simon the Pieman’s bakery in Lion Street might be able to help) and head to the beach. Camber Sands is a huge, glorious stretch of pale sand with a backdrop of massive dunes.
Take buckets and spades for epic sandcastle-making opportunities or just chill out on the beach. The beach can be quite windy so take a wind break. Precautions should be taken when going into the sea as there are sandbanks under the water. A regular bus service from Rye to Camber Sands means you won’t need a car to get there from the town.
Camber Sands, East Sussex
Places to stay in Rye – check rates and availability
Kino Boutique Cinema
If you’re looking for after-dinner entertainment Rye has it’s very own two-screen boutique cinema. Kino has state-of-the-art, digital high definition projectors and sound equipment. The larger of the two seats 96 and the other just 48.
Kino is fully licensed which means you can enjoy your drink as you sink into your lovely armchair-style seat and immerse yourself in the latest blockbuster. Due to the bijou size you’ll need to book. There’s a cafe bar and outdoor terrace for pre and after-show drinks.
More East Sussex Days Out
Rathfinny Vineyard • Seven Sisters Country Park • Eastbourne Trails and Coastal Walks • Jack in the Green, Hastings Old Town
Where to stay in Rye
Self Catering Holiday Cottages in Rye
Cadborough Farm Cottages are a collection of six converted farm buildings and stables dating back to the late 1800s. Each brick-built holiday cottage and studio has been beautifully restored and sleeps two people and are perfect for a weekend break in Rye.
Each one is unique and individual; Buttercup and Daisy are two studios in the old dairy, then there are three cottages; Brandy’s Cottage, Dairy Cottage and Stables Cottage. Each cottage comes with its own kitchen, en-suite bathroom, courtyard or garden, wifi and a TV/DVD player.
The Coach House is the most recent addition which has been renovated to a luxurious standard. The open-plan design is light and spacious with modern decor in calm muted colours. There’s a well-established garden with BBQ and sunbathing areas.
The cottages are all located in a quiet area with panoramic views towards the medieval town of Rye, the coast and Camber Castle. Rye town centre is around a fifteen minute walk from the farm following the 1066 bridle path or, alternatively, from the farm entrance by footpath. Rye train station is a 20-minute walk away or 5 minutes by taxi.
Prices start at £75 for the studios, £95 for the cottages and £120 for the Coach House with a three-day minimum stay. Children over 12 and small, well-behaved dogs are welcome. Call 01797 225 426 for further information and to check last minute availability for weekend or mid-week breaks in Rye.
Reviewed: The Standard Inn, Rye – Bed and Breakfast in Rye
Find self-guided walking tours in Rye here
What’s on in Rye
There’s always a reason to visit Rye and there’s always something going on. Tie in your visit with one of the town’s festivals which take place throughout the year.
Scallop Festival – February
Jazz Festival – August
Rye Arts Festival – September
Christmas in Rye – December
Getting to Rye
Trains to Rye
High-speed trains run from London to Ashford International with a journey time of 38 minutes. A further train to Rye takes 21 minutes which makes this pretty and historic town the perfect option for a day out from the city or a weekend break.
Parking in Rye, East Sussex
Parking is known for being tricky in Rye, however, Station car park in the town centre is reasonably priced at £2.60 per day. This expires at 5am so you’ll need to pay for two days.
Have you been to Rye? What’s your top tip for visiting the town?
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This looks like a perfect small town for our upcoming trip. Do you have any idea if you can get from Rye to the White Cliffs of Dover easily?
Hi, Rye is a lovely little town for a visit. Dover is about an hour’s drive away or you can take the train via Ashford International. If you’re look to visit white cliffs specifically then maybe think about Seven Sisters in East Sussex which are far more beautiful than those at Dover!