Guidebook for Rye
Sightseeing
Bracing walks along an unspoiled rugged beach. It is about a 5-10 minute flat walk from Rye Harbour Village to the beach where you can see right across to Camber Sands. Rye Harbour is a nature reserve and has a visitor's centre with a café.
96 locals recommend
Rye Harbour
Bracing walks along an unspoiled rugged beach. It is about a 5-10 minute flat walk from Rye Harbour Village to the beach where you can see right across to Camber Sands. Rye Harbour is a nature reserve and has a visitor's centre with a café.
Quaint town with views across Pett and Camber. Spike Milligan is buried in the churchyard here. He was a resident of Winchelsea
46 locals recommend
Winchelsea
Quaint town with views across Pett and Camber. Spike Milligan is buried in the churchyard here. He was a resident of Winchelsea
The perfect place to take in the breathtaking view over Rye and for marriage proposals!
25 locals recommend
Saint Mary's Church
Church SquareThe perfect place to take in the breathtaking view over Rye and for marriage proposals!
Camber Sands
Unspoilt sandy beach stretching along miles of coastline
A huge shingle spit where many artists choose to make their home in the old railway carriages bought for a song and now highly sought after.
120 locals recommend
Dungeness
A huge shingle spit where many artists choose to make their home in the old railway carriages bought for a song and now highly sought after.
Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch miniature Railway is so retro with its 13.5 mile track. Well worth a ride!
Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Light Railway
Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch miniature Railway is so retro with its 13.5 mile track. Well worth a ride!
The home of the 19th century actress Ellen Terry. Plays are still shown here in the ancient barn attached to the property.
19 locals recommend
National Trust - Smallhythe Place
Smallhythe RoadThe home of the 19th century actress Ellen Terry. Plays are still shown here in the ancient barn attached to the property.
Award winning gardens of Christopher Lloyd, the late garden designer.
117 locals recommend
Great Dixter House & Gardens
Award winning gardens of Christopher Lloyd, the late garden designer.
The village of Newenden is a typical kent village with a traditional 16th century village pub, The White Hart, which has a large inglenook fire place.
Newenden
The village of Newenden is a typical kent village with a traditional 16th century village pub, The White Hart, which has a large inglenook fire place.
Bodiam Boating Station
Station Road Canoe hire and kayaks or take a boat up to Bodiam Castle!
Beautiful steam railway journey from Tenterden through to Bodiam Castle.
Kent and East Sussex Railway
Kent and East Sussex RailwayBeautiful steam railway journey from Tenterden through to Bodiam Castle.
The Old Town is vibrant and buzzy offering lots of interesting shops with antique, retro and vintage treasures.
183 locals recommend
Hastings
The Old Town is vibrant and buzzy offering lots of interesting shops with antique, retro and vintage treasures.
Learn all about the history of the fishing industry in Hastings in this interactive museum.
41 locals recommend
Hastings Fishermen's Museum
Rock-a-Nore RoadLearn all about the history of the fishing industry in Hastings in this interactive museum.
The Shipwreck Museum just along from the Fisherman's Museum provides an interesting insight to shipwrecks throughout the ages
16 locals recommend
Shipwreck Museum
Rock-a-Nore RoadThe Shipwreck Museum just along from the Fisherman's Museum provides an interesting insight to shipwrecks throughout the ages
E Hill Lift
Funicular Railway rising up the side of the cliffs of Hastings
St Leonards Gardens holds a small exhibition that is run by volunteers of the Burton St Leonards Society -ring for opening hours if you are visiting especially
31 locals recommend
St. Leonards Gardens
Maze HillSt Leonards Gardens holds a small exhibition that is run by volunteers of the Burton St Leonards Society -ring for opening hours if you are visiting especially
A busy and vibrant cosmopolitan city to explore. Famous for its lanes, there are plenty of independent shops and eateries to indulge in
339 locals recommend
Brighton
A busy and vibrant cosmopolitan city to explore. Famous for its lanes, there are plenty of independent shops and eateries to indulge in
Home of the Battle of Hastings. Regular annual re-enactment in the Autumn
153 locals recommend
Battle Abbey
High StreetHome of the Battle of Hastings. Regular annual re-enactment in the Autumn
The Stade offers open air evening concerts regularly in the summer months.
6 locals recommend
Stade Hall
20 Rock-a-Nore RdThe Stade offers open air evening concerts regularly in the summer months.
We have plenty of country walks in East Sussex and Kent. A drive away can take you to Bedgebury Pinetum a popular destination for walkers and cyclists alike.
189 locals recommend
Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest
Bedgebury RoadWe have plenty of country walks in East Sussex and Kent. A drive away can take you to Bedgebury Pinetum a popular destination for walkers and cyclists alike.
Bewl Water
Bewlbridge LaneLarge lake with cruises, fishing, walks and open air concerts.
An awesome beach where you can see the remains of a pre historic forest in low tide. Rock pools abound at Pett Level where the remnants of a prehistoric forest can still be seen today. It resembles wet putty!
On a very low tide you can walk all the way around to Fairlight Cove, ( be warned, it's a nudest beach) but you need to check the tides.
Winchelsea is also an amazing beach to chill and to spy the resident seal.
14 locals recommend
Pett Level
An awesome beach where you can see the remains of a pre historic forest in low tide. Rock pools abound at Pett Level where the remnants of a prehistoric forest can still be seen today. It resembles wet putty!
On a very low tide you can walk all the way around to Fairlight Cove, ( be warned, it's a nudest beach) but you need to check the tides.
Winchelsea is also an amazing beach to chill and to spy the resident seal.
Mermaid St, Rye TN31, UK
One of the prettiest cobbled streets in Rye
Great place for walking across the country park. On a clear day you can see the coast of France. Pop in to the Balehouse coffee shop near the carpark for great chai lattes.
Hastings Country Park car park
Great place for walking across the country park. On a clear day you can see the coast of France. Pop in to the Balehouse coffee shop near the carpark for great chai lattes.
Bodiam castle is awesome. It's owned by the National Trust and you can walk around and in the ruins of the castle. There is a good pub opposite called The Castle. The Hub Bodiam is a quirky cafe and shop also within walking distance and serves coffees and light lunches. A favourite of ours.
276 locals recommend
Bodiam Castle
Bodiam castle is awesome. It's owned by the National Trust and you can walk around and in the ruins of the castle. There is a good pub opposite called The Castle. The Hub Bodiam is a quirky cafe and shop also within walking distance and serves coffees and light lunches. A favourite of ours.
Everything Else
Rye Heritage Centre provides a point of contact providing a whole host of tourist information. Home to a number of vintage slot machines, a model of Rye and a place to pick up a guided tours.
22 locals recommend
Rye Heritage Centre
Rye Heritage Centre provides a point of contact providing a whole host of tourist information. Home to a number of vintage slot machines, a model of Rye and a place to pick up a guided tours.
Go Ape Bedgebury
Bedgebury LaneZip wire fun and adventure for all ages.
The Rye Retreat
36-38 Cinque Ports StFancy a pamper- this is the place to come!!!
National Trust property which set the stage for the TV version of Mapp and Lucia
32 locals recommend
Lamb House
West StreetNational Trust property which set the stage for the TV version of Mapp and Lucia
Arts & Culture
Offers a place to absorb and to buy some beautiful works of art both ancient and modern.
20 locals recommend
Rye Art Gallery
107 High StOffers a place to absorb and to buy some beautiful works of art both ancient and modern.
The White Rock Theatre provides a great source of entertainment throughout the year.
36 locals recommend
White Rock Theatre
White RockThe White Rock Theatre provides a great source of entertainment throughout the year.
Hastings Contemporary
Rock-a-Nore RoadContemporary Art Gallery in Hastings
Hosts a number of events, gigs and art exhibitions. The building itself is quite spectacular and coffee on the verandah allows you to enjoy a spectacular view across the sea.
99 locals recommend
De La Warr Pavilion
MarinaHosts a number of events, gigs and art exhibitions. The building itself is quite spectacular and coffee on the verandah allows you to enjoy a spectacular view across the sea.
High Street
High StreetMany independent shops in Hastings and route of Jack in the Green parade on Mayday.
Kino Rye
3 Lion StOur own contemporary little cinema with a café and bar!
Shopping
An opportunity to purchase some vinyl in Rye. A fascinating place for a musical rummage.
Grammar School Records
High StreetAn opportunity to purchase some vinyl in Rye. A fascinating place for a musical rummage.
Pick up some yummy treats to tide you over. Rye Deli do delicious take outs for lunch too.
21 locals recommend
Rye Deli
8-10 Market RdPick up some yummy treats to tide you over. Rye Deli do delicious take outs for lunch too.
Tenterden is a town with a continental feel about it with its wide tree lined High Street. A number of good quality coffee shops, pubs and restaurants together with antique shops.
108 locals recommend
Tenterden
Tenterden is a town with a continental feel about it with its wide tree lined High Street. A number of good quality coffee shops, pubs and restaurants together with antique shops.
Bars, restaurants and shops to take your pick many having live music during the evenings.
51 locals recommend
George Street
50a George StBars, restaurants and shops to take your pick many having live music during the evenings.
A slightly alternative experience/ more edgier and cosmopolitan than the Hastings Old Town. If you are looking for reasonably priced antiques and retro finds then St L is the place.
38 locals recommend
Saint Leonards
A slightly alternative experience/ more edgier and cosmopolitan than the Hastings Old Town. If you are looking for reasonably priced antiques and retro finds then St L is the place.
Lewes is on trend for shopping, vintage fairs and antique shops. It has a castle and plenty of places to mooch. Check out the Needle Makers full of small independent shops.
290 locals recommend
Lewes
Lewes is on trend for shopping, vintage fairs and antique shops. It has a castle and plenty of places to mooch. Check out the Needle Makers full of small independent shops.
McArthur Glenn is Ashford’s designer outlet where you are sure to be able to pick up a bargain or two.
203 locals recommend
Ashford Designer Outlet
McArthur Glenn is Ashford’s designer outlet where you are sure to be able to pick up a bargain or two.
Penny Royal
22 High StFor cards, trinkets, and haberdashery
Drinks & Nightlife
The Ship Inn
Strand A brilliant quirky watering hole. Great for grub too!
Mermaid Street
Mermaid StreetOne of the oldest inns in Rye with massive log fire.
Azur
44-37 MarinaOffering beautiful views over the sea of St Leonards
Great for coffees and for soaking up the atmosphere! George Cloony stayed here a couple of years ago!
58 locals recommend
The George in Rye
98 High StGreat for coffees and for soaking up the atmosphere! George Cloony stayed here a couple of years ago!
Food Scene
The Pilot Inn
Battery RoadThe best fish and chips in Dungeness
Hayden's
108 High StPerfect for coffees and brunches.
The West Hill Cafe
Castle Hill RoadGreat views across Hastings
Kassa Coffee Shop on the sea front at St Leonards offers Iranian food with hummus, olives, and middle eastern treats.
8 locals recommend
Kassa Optics
15 Grand ParadeKassa Coffee Shop on the sea front at St Leonards offers Iranian food with hummus, olives, and middle eastern treats.
Our sumptuous neighbours, cooking extraordinary locally sourced food.
27 locals recommend
Landgate Bistro
5/6 LandgateOur sumptuous neighbours, cooking extraordinary locally sourced food.
The Globe Inn Marsh Rye
10 Military RdWonderful Gasto pub a few minutes walk from The Find
The Fig
2 High StA new addition to Rye for coffee and great food!
Simply Italian
12 StrandGreat italian food and reasonable prices. Buzzy atmosphere!
Knoops Chocolate Bar
Tower StreetTHE best hot chocolate in the WORLD!!
The perfect place for afternoon tea. They have an idyllic decking area at the back of the café with outstanding views across the valley.
The Tic Tocory
The perfect place for afternoon tea. They have an idyllic decking area at the back of the café with outstanding views across the valley.
Great traditional pub food with beautiful views across the valley towards Camber
22 locals recommend
The Queens Head
Parsonage LaneGreat traditional pub food with beautiful views across the valley towards Camber
Lovely café with beautiful views with seating outside as well as an indoor cafe. Tibbs Farm is also a fruit farm where you can pick your own fruit.
15 locals recommend
Tibbs Farm
Lovely café with beautiful views with seating outside as well as an indoor cafe. Tibbs Farm is also a fruit farm where you can pick your own fruit.
Vineyards
Gorgeous vineyard, with tours and tastings available. Super friendly, family owned place.
7 locals recommend
Charles Palmer Vineyards
Wickham Rock LaneGorgeous vineyard, with tours and tastings available. Super friendly, family owned place.