Irene's Guidebook

Irene
Irene's Guidebook

Flushing House, a Tudor cottage dating from the 1520s

The centre of Rye is historic and has cobbled roads.
388 locals recommend
Rye
388 locals recommend
The centre of Rye is historic and has cobbled roads.
Flushing House is no 15 on the map. There’s parking on the street. There is free parking from 6 pm to 9 am and 80p for 2 hours with the meters on the street. Sunday is free parking. As there’s a 2 hour maximum parking restriction, if you pay cash for the first 2 hours, you can then pay on your RingGo app and get another 2 hours. Otherwise, the nearest car park is in Rope Walk (see map). This is the cheapest car park in Rye @ £2.50 per day. The postcode of the cottage for your sat Nav is : TN31 7HE. (On the corner of Church Square and Market Street) The front door is in Church Square.
388 locals recommend
Rye
388 locals recommend
Flushing House is no 15 on the map. There’s parking on the street. There is free parking from 6 pm to 9 am and 80p for 2 hours with the meters on the street. Sunday is free parking. As there’s a 2 hour maximum parking restriction, if you pay cash for the first 2 hours, you can then pay on your RingGo app and get another 2 hours. Otherwise, the nearest car park is in Rope Walk (see map). This is the cheapest car park in Rye @ £2.50 per day. The postcode of the cottage for your sat Nav is : TN31 7HE. (On the corner of Church Square and Market Street) The front door is in Church Square.
Bexhill has a quieter feel as a seaside destination. There is also the iconic De la Warr Pavilion, built in 1935. It is an Art Deco delight, which hosts exhibitions and concerts. There are cafes on the sea front, where you can eat and enjoy the sea view.
46 locals recommend
Bexhill
46 locals recommend
Bexhill has a quieter feel as a seaside destination. There is also the iconic De la Warr Pavilion, built in 1935. It is an Art Deco delight, which hosts exhibitions and concerts. There are cafes on the sea front, where you can eat and enjoy the sea view.
108 locals recommend
Tenterden
108 locals recommend
388 locals recommend
Rye
388 locals recommend

Sightseeing

Excellent view from the top of the building. Fascinating information and artefacts in the building which once housed the local prison. It is at the end of the street where the cottage is situated.
41 locals recommend
Rye Castle Museum - Ypres Tower
41 locals recommend
Excellent view from the top of the building. Fascinating information and artefacts in the building which once housed the local prison. It is at the end of the street where the cottage is situated.
Georgian house where several famous writers have lived: Henry James, E.F. Benson, Rumer Godden
32 locals recommend
Lamb House
West Street
32 locals recommend
Georgian house where several famous writers have lived: Henry James, E.F. Benson, Rumer Godden
St Mary's has the oldest working turret clock in the country. Lovely stain glass windows - particularly, the Burne-Jones window. Worth climbing the church tower for a wonderful panoramic view of Rye and the surrounding area.
25 locals recommend
Saint Mary's Church
Church Square
25 locals recommend
St Mary's has the oldest working turret clock in the country. Lovely stain glass windows - particularly, the Burne-Jones window. Worth climbing the church tower for a wonderful panoramic view of Rye and the surrounding area.
This is where you can pick up your leaflets on the local area, advice about where to go and it has a small gift shop.
Rye Town Council
Market Street
This is where you can pick up your leaflets on the local area, advice about where to go and it has a small gift shop.
The Landgate was built in 1329 on the orders of Edward III to strengthen the town's defences. It is the only one of the original four gates that is still standing. Winchelsea has three of its gates, but all of these point to a different geography and a different time. Both towns are perched high up over flat land that was once much closer to the sea. You can also see part of the old town wall further along the road.
The Landgate
The Landgate was built in 1329 on the orders of Edward III to strengthen the town's defences. It is the only one of the original four gates that is still standing. Winchelsea has three of its gates, but all of these point to a different geography and a different time. Both towns are perched high up over flat land that was once much closer to the sea. You can also see part of the old town wall further along the road.
A nature reserve with hides to observe the wildlife. It has free parking, a Discovery Centre with a cafe and the sea
92 locals recommend
Rye Harbour Nature Reserve
Harbour Road
92 locals recommend
A nature reserve with hides to observe the wildlife. It has free parking, a Discovery Centre with a cafe and the sea
Explores the history of Rye and contains the must see town model with a sound and light show. Penny arcade machines which used to be seen on the seaside piers.
22 locals recommend
Rye Heritage Centre
22 locals recommend
Explores the history of Rye and contains the must see town model with a sound and light show. Penny arcade machines which used to be seen on the seaside piers.
Beautiful sandy beach.
14 locals recommend
Camber
14 locals recommend
Beautiful sandy beach.
Great historic old town. Lots of places to eat and drink. Fishermen launch their boats from the beach, the only fishing fleet in Europe to do this. Also, the Hastings Contemporary Art Gallery is on the seafront, along with the Aquarium and the Fisherman’s Museum. Award winning pier - worth a visit.
183 locals recommend
Hastings
183 locals recommend
Great historic old town. Lots of places to eat and drink. Fishermen launch their boats from the beach, the only fishing fleet in Europe to do this. Also, the Hastings Contemporary Art Gallery is on the seafront, along with the Aquarium and the Fisherman’s Museum. Award winning pier - worth a visit.
Beautiful castle a short drive away.
276 locals recommend
Bodiam Castle
276 locals recommend
Beautiful castle a short drive away.
A must for gardeners
117 locals recommend
Great Dixter House & Gardens
117 locals recommend
A must for gardeners
186 locals recommend
Sissinghurst Castle Garden
Biddenden Rd
186 locals recommend
Kipling’s home. Worth a visit.
100 locals recommend
Bateman's
Bateman's Lane
100 locals recommend
Kipling’s home. Worth a visit.
Great steam railway. Lovely for kids and adults.
96 locals recommend
Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Light Railway
2 Littlestone Rd
96 locals recommend
Great steam railway. Lovely for kids and adults.
Apparently, the only desert in Western Europe
120 locals recommend
Dungeness
120 locals recommend
Apparently, the only desert in Western Europe
The scene of the Battle of Hastings 1066
77 locals recommend
Battle
77 locals recommend
The scene of the Battle of Hastings 1066
Winchelsea appears to be a pretty, well-cared-for village with numerous buildings of historic interest. In fact it is not a village but a town and one of the Cinque Ports. Its history is closely interwoven with that of England itself. The History section of our website traces the story, from Old Winchelsea swallowed up by the sea, to New Winchelsea secure on its hill. Find out about our past as a major medieval trading port, declining as the coastline moved and the harbour silted up, and reviving again in the modern era, though on a much smaller scale.
46 locals recommend
Winchelsea
46 locals recommend
Winchelsea appears to be a pretty, well-cared-for village with numerous buildings of historic interest. In fact it is not a village but a town and one of the Cinque Ports. Its history is closely interwoven with that of England itself. The History section of our website traces the story, from Old Winchelsea swallowed up by the sea, to New Winchelsea secure on its hill. Find out about our past as a major medieval trading port, declining as the coastline moved and the harbour silted up, and reviving again in the modern era, though on a much smaller scale.
A pretty town which has a National Trust property just outside the town called Smallhythe Place. It also has a steam railway.
108 locals recommend
Tenterden
108 locals recommend
A pretty town which has a National Trust property just outside the town called Smallhythe Place. It also has a steam railway.
Built in the early 16th-century when Smallhythe was a thriving shipbuilding port, Smallhythe Place was later purchased by renowned Victorian actress, Ellen Terry, in 1899. A year after her passing in 1928 her daughter, Edith Craig, transformed the house into a museum which now displays a fascinating personal and theatrical collection that reflects Ellen's extraordinary career and unconventional private life. Smallhythe Place includes a colourful cottage garden and a charming 17th-century thatched Barn Theatre. Ellen's legacy is kept alive today with a diverse programme of productions in the theatre and garden that are performed throughout the year.
19 locals recommend
National Trust - Smallhythe Place
Smallhythe Road
19 locals recommend
Built in the early 16th-century when Smallhythe was a thriving shipbuilding port, Smallhythe Place was later purchased by renowned Victorian actress, Ellen Terry, in 1899. A year after her passing in 1928 her daughter, Edith Craig, transformed the house into a museum which now displays a fascinating personal and theatrical collection that reflects Ellen's extraordinary career and unconventional private life. Smallhythe Place includes a colourful cottage garden and a charming 17th-century thatched Barn Theatre. Ellen's legacy is kept alive today with a diverse programme of productions in the theatre and garden that are performed throughout the year.
73 locals recommend
Tenterden Vineyard Park
Small Hythe Road
73 locals recommend
59 locals recommend
Kent & East Sussex Railway
Station Road
59 locals recommend
An English Heritage site. Built by Henry V111
28 locals recommend
Camber Castle
Harbour Road
28 locals recommend
An English Heritage site. Built by Henry V111
186 locals recommend
Sissinghurst Castle Garden
Biddenden Rd
186 locals recommend
131 locals recommend
National Trust - Scotney Castle
131 locals recommend
77 locals recommend
Battle
77 locals recommend
114 locals recommend
Hastings Pier Shop
1-10 White Rock
114 locals recommend

Natural sites

Close to Rye. A great place to walk and to experience a peaceful beach.
50 locals recommend
Winchelsea Beach
50 locals recommend
Close to Rye. A great place to walk and to experience a peaceful beach.
92 locals recommend
Rye Harbour Nature Reserve
Harbour Road
92 locals recommend
38 locals recommend
Saint Leonards
38 locals recommend
120 locals recommend
Dungeness
120 locals recommend

Food scene

Excellent bar food and a good restaurant. They also do a great afternoon tea.
58 locals recommend
The Ship Inn
Strand
58 locals recommend
Excellent bar food and a good restaurant. They also do a great afternoon tea.
Charming, quirky interior, serving excellent food such as pizzas, seafood and local lamb dishes. An extensive gin menu!
95 locals recommend
The Globe Inn Marsh Rye
10 Military Rd
95 locals recommend
Charming, quirky interior, serving excellent food such as pizzas, seafood and local lamb dishes. An extensive gin menu!
Excellent Italian restaurant. Very informal.
42 locals recommend
Simply Italian
12 Strand
42 locals recommend
Excellent Italian restaurant. Very informal.
Excellent informal pub food. Dog friendly. An old, historic pub. Popular with locals and tourists
61 locals recommend
The Standard Inn
The Mint
61 locals recommend
Excellent informal pub food. Dog friendly. An old, historic pub. Popular with locals and tourists
Turkish food. Good range of food.
Layla Mezze Grill
5 High Street
Turkish food. Good range of food.
The best hot chocolate you will ever have! Choose percentage of cocoa and extra flavours like orange, lavender, ginger or chilli. Very popular!!
32 locals recommend
Knoops Chocolate Bar
Tower Street
32 locals recommend
The best hot chocolate you will ever have! Choose percentage of cocoa and extra flavours like orange, lavender, ginger or chilli. Very popular!!
Delicious local fish dishes. Also, there’s meat and vegetarian options. A great favourite
44 locals recommend
Webbe's at The Fish Cafe
17 Tower St
44 locals recommend
Delicious local fish dishes. Also, there’s meat and vegetarian options. A great favourite
Interconnected Georgian shops house this modern bistro which favours local and foraged ingredients.
27 locals recommend
Landgate Bistro
5/6 Landgate
27 locals recommend
Interconnected Georgian shops house this modern bistro which favours local and foraged ingredients.
A good Indian restaurant to visit, as well as its sister restaurant, the Mahdi Spice, further along the same road.
8 locals recommend
Mahdi Lounge
32-34 Cinque Ports St
8 locals recommend
A good Indian restaurant to visit, as well as its sister restaurant, the Mahdi Spice, further along the same road.
A good burger restaurant
44 locals recommend
Hoof
35 The Mint
44 locals recommend
A good burger restaurant
54 locals recommend
The Fig
2 High St
54 locals recommend
A champagne, cocktail and wine bar with live jazz sometimes.
29 locals recommend
The Grapevine Rye
1 Conduit Hill
29 locals recommend
A champagne, cocktail and wine bar with live jazz sometimes.
Good pub food
58 locals recommend
The Ship Inn
Strand
58 locals recommend
Good pub food
Excellent pub, good food. The biggest pub garden in Rye
39 locals recommend
The Ypres Castle Inn
39 locals recommend
Excellent pub, good food. The biggest pub garden in Rye
The best fish and chip shop in Rye. Also has a restaurant.
31 locals recommend
Marino's Fish Bar
37 The Mint
31 locals recommend
The best fish and chip shop in Rye. Also has a restaurant.
34 locals recommend
The Union Rye
8 East St
34 locals recommend
7 locals recommend
Apothecary Coffee House
104A High St
7 locals recommend
24 locals recommend
Whitehouse Rye
24 High St
24 locals recommend
This what they say: “Using locally-sourced and fresh ingredients, our menu aims to cater to a variety of tastes. Pulling inspiration from different countries cuisines, with home-made sauces, our simple and tasty street food is a guaranteed hit.”
7 locals recommend
Tatner's Street Kitchen
24 Wish St
7 locals recommend
This what they say: “Using locally-sourced and fresh ingredients, our menu aims to cater to a variety of tastes. Pulling inspiration from different countries cuisines, with home-made sauces, our simple and tasty street food is a guaranteed hit.”
From Rye Chocolates "100% British, Handmade, Artisan delicious Chocolates with a twist. Handmade in East Sussex, UK - international shipping available. Truffles, bars & other amazing Chocolates. Organic, Vegan & gluten free chocolate available. Perfect presents for Birthdays, anniversaries, weddings & events. We also cater for larger functions such as weddings. Specialist requirements taken."
Rye Chocolates
110a High St
From Rye Chocolates "100% British, Handmade, Artisan delicious Chocolates with a twist. Handmade in East Sussex, UK - international shipping available. Truffles, bars & other amazing Chocolates. Organic, Vegan & gluten free chocolate available. Perfect presents for Birthdays, anniversaries, weddings & events. We also cater for larger functions such as weddings. Specialist requirements taken."
A new restaurant and takeaway specialising in pizzas on Cinque Ports Street. (Not far from the station)
Pizza and Prosecco
22 Cinque Ports St
A new restaurant and takeaway specialising in pizzas on Cinque Ports Street. (Not far from the station)
Lovely cakes, pastries, sandwiches and of course pasties - in particular, Cornish pasties! N.B. More expensive to eat in than as a takeaway.
Cornish Bakery
86 High Street
Lovely cakes, pastries, sandwiches and of course pasties - in particular, Cornish pasties! N.B. More expensive to eat in than as a takeaway.
This is a beautiful hotel on the High Street which has been restored and reopened this year. Whether you want a meal, a drink or afternoon tea, its lovely decor alone is worth a visit.
58 locals recommend
The George in Rye
98 High St
58 locals recommend
This is a beautiful hotel on the High Street which has been restored and reopened this year. Whether you want a meal, a drink or afternoon tea, its lovely decor alone is worth a visit.

Pubs

Very quirky venue. Craft ale pub.
23 locals recommend
Rye Waterworks Micropub
Tower Street
23 locals recommend
Very quirky venue. Craft ale pub.
Excellent beer garden with views across the river near the Gun Gardens
39 locals recommend
The Ypres Castle Inn
39 locals recommend
Excellent beer garden with views across the river near the Gun Gardens
An historic inn. A favourite of locals and tourists.
61 locals recommend
The Standard Inn
The Mint
61 locals recommend
An historic inn. A favourite of locals and tourists.
Quirky pub with an extensive list of gins.
95 locals recommend
The Globe Inn Marsh Rye
10 Military Rd
95 locals recommend
Quirky pub with an extensive list of gins.
An historic inn where the notorious Hawkhurst gang of smugglers used to meet in the 18th century. The inn was rebuilt in 1420 after the fire in Rye of 1377 when the French burnt the town.
58 locals recommend
The Ship Inn
Strand
58 locals recommend
An historic inn where the notorious Hawkhurst gang of smugglers used to meet in the 18th century. The inn was rebuilt in 1420 after the fire in Rye of 1377 when the French burnt the town.
An interesting interior with good food.
58 locals recommend
The Ship Inn
Strand
58 locals recommend
An interesting interior with good food.

Traveler advice

Getting around

Buses and train station in Rye

Easy connection to Ashford International. Catch a train to Bexhill, Hastings or Eastbourne. Connect to Brighton from Eastbourne. Buses to Hastings, Camber, Lydd, Winchelsea. Look in the Rye Fixtures magazine, which you’ll find in the cottage, for the times of trains and buses.
Don't miss

Shopping 🛍 🛒

For food shopping in Rye, there’s the Rye Deli in Market Road. Jempson’s supermarket which is closed on Sunday. If you get caught out by the Sunday closure, you can get basic foodstuffs in Costcutter, 74, Fishmarket Road (see map).