Things To Do Rye
Rye, East Sussex
Rye is a picturesque town located just outside London. With plenty of history, culture, and attractions, it makes for a great day trip. Here are some things you can do while you’re here.
It is one of those places you just know you must go to. It’s got history, it’s got charm, it’s full of character – and best of all, there are loads of things to see and do here. Here’s our guide to what makes Rye such a great place to visit.
Rye is one of England’s most picturesque towns, located just east of London. This charming town offers visitors a variety of things to do, including shopping, eating out, sightseeing, and relaxing. Here are some ideas about why you should visit.
Things to do Rye
Rye’s History
- Rye is one of England’s oldest towns. It lies about five miles east of Hastings, along the coast of the English Channel. It is famous for being the birthplace of Queen Elizabeth I. In fact, it was here that she spent her early childhood. She was born in 1533 at the manor house of Hatfield House, which still stands today. Her father, Henry VIII, had built the house in 1501. He named it after his wife, Anne Boleyn.
- The name “Rye” comes from the Old English word “ryge,” meaning “a place where rye grows.” It is mentioned in the Anglo Saxon Chronicle as having been founded by King Alfred the Great in 885 AD. However, the earliest written record of the town dates from 1086.
- In 1215, during the reign of King John, the Battle of Rye took place near the present day town. This battle was fought between forces loyal to the king and those loyal to Prince Louis IX of France. The French prince won the battle and became King Louis XIX of France.
- During the 14th century, Rye grew rapidly because of its strategic location. At that time, it was a port city. Ships coming into the harbor could unload cargo onto carts that traveled up the High Street to the market square. There they could buy food and supplies.
- By the 16th century, Rye was a thriving commercial center. Its population reached approximately 5,000 people. During the 17th century, Rye suffered greatly due to the plague. Many residents died, including William Shakespeare. His play, Romeo and Juliet, was set in Rye.
- Rye continued to grow throughout the 18th century. By 1800, there were over 20,000 inhabitants living in the area.
- Today, Rye is home to around 30,000 people. It is located just off A259 road, which runs from London to Brighton.
Where is Rye?
Rye is located in Sussex, England. You can reach the town by train from London Waterloo station. There are frequent trains from London Victoria, Brighton, Eastbourne, Hastings, Lewes, Worthing, Chichester, Bognor Regis, Gatwick Airport, Ashford International, Canterbury West Kent and Dover Priory.
You can also travel by car via A27 road. From London take M25 motorway southbound towards junction 5. Exit onto A24 towards Brighton. At roundabout take exit 2A towards Crawley/Horsham. Follow signs to A21 towards Brighton. Continue along A21 towards Hove. Take 3rd exit towards Rye. Turn left into the High Street.
What Is Close To Visit?
If you want to explore nearby areas, Rye is near the following destinations: Lewes, Hastings, Battle, Tunbridge Wells, Chichester, West Sussex, Brighton, and Worthing. These cities offer a wide range of activities, such as shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Where Is Best To Eat?
You won’t go hungry while visiting Rye. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes to choose from. Some of the best include the Old Post Office Cafe, the Tea Rooms, and the White Horse Inn. Check out our article on other places to eat in Rye
What Attractions Are There?
There are many interesting sights to see in Rye. You can take a tour of the historic Rye Castle, which dates back to the 13th century. There are also plenty of museums to check out, such as the Rye Museum, which features exhibits about local history. If you enjoy art galleries, there are several places to visit, including the Rye Art Gallery and the Rye Picture House Cinema.
Things to do Rye
Explore the Old Town
The historic centre of Rye is home to many beautiful buildings including the 14th century parish church of St Mary. This church contains a number of interesting features like the original Norman font and stained glass windows. There are also several shops, cafes, and restaurants where you can stop for lunch or dinner.
There are plenty of historic buildings to explore in Rye, including the beautiful old town centre, where you’ll find cobbled streets lined with pretty shops, cafes and restaurants. You could spend hours wandering around here, taking in the sights, admiring the architecture and enjoying some delicious food. There are lots of little lanes to wander down too, each one offering something different. If you want to learn about Rye’s rich heritage, head over to the Heritage Centre, where you can discover everything from local history to the secrets behind Rye’s famous butter.
Go bird watching
If bird watching is your thing, make sure you pay a visit to the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. This reserve is home to a wide variety of birds, including herons, gulls, cormorants, kingfishers and even ospreys. You might spot otters, foxes and deer too. And don’t forget to bring along your binoculars; you never know what you might spot! If you’d rather watch than interact, you can hire a boat for £10 per hour.
Visit Rye Castle Museum and climb Ypres Tower
This castle museum houses a collection of artefacts relating to Rye’s rich history. One of the highlights is the medieval armoury. It includes suits of plate armour dating back to the 15th century. The tower itself dates back to 1330 and offers stunning views across the Bay.
The Rye Castle Museum is located within the grounds of the castle itself, and offers visitors a chance to learn more about the history of the area. Inside you’ll find exhibits covering everything from the Roman occupation of Britain to the present day. Outside, you can take a stroll around the moat, which surrounds the entire site. At the end of the walkway, you’ll come across the ruins of the original 12th century castle, which now houses the museum. Nearby, you can also climb up to the top of the tower, which gives you a stunning view over the surrounding countryside.
Visit the beach
The seaside resort town of Rye offers something for everyone; whether it’s relaxing walks along the coast, playing golf, surfing and body boarding or simply enjoying a dip in the sea. You’ll find that there are many different types of beach in Rye, with each offering different activities for you and your family. Here we’ve listed out some of the best places to enjoy the great British weather…and maybe even catch some rays too!
Rye Beach — For those looking to relax on the beach, Rye Beach is probably the most popular place in town. This long stretch of golden sand sits between Winchelsea Castle and Hastings Pier. There’s plenty of space here for families to play, whilst children can splash about in the shallow surf while parents can sunbathe nearby. The beach is easily accessible via both the A259 and A27.
Another place for surfing is East Beach, a little further out from the city centre. This is a quieter area with less traffic and fewer people around. In fact, it almost feels like you’ve stepped into another era. Here, you won’t see any windsurfers or parasailing instructors flying above the ocean. Instead, families sit on benches while children play football against each other.
If you want to do something active rather than just relaxing on the beach, you might try a short walk up towards the promenade and along the seafront. Alternatively, you could take a boat trip. Boats regularly set sail from Rye harbour and offer trips around the bay. They’re a really good option for exploring the coastline because they stop off at several different locations. You can choose whether you’d prefer a snorkel tour or a glass-bottom boat adventure.
In addition to being a major surfing destination, Rye also offers a range of water activities. Some visitors head straight onto the local sailing boats and kitesurfing lessons. Others hire kayaks and paddleboards and explore the surrounding area.
If you are looking for bird watching in Rye Sussex then look no further than The Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. Found about 1.4 miles south east of Rye just off the A259 you’ll find a reserve with five hides (all including wheelchair access) giving a wonderful view of the wetland wildlife.
With a free car park at the Harbour and a network of foot paths that allow the reserve to be visited from Rye and Winchelsea on foot its a perfect spot for bird watching. The Reserve has many habitats including wetlands, shingle ridges, sand, marsh and woodlands. It’s home to a wide range of species, over a hundred and fifty of which are considered rare or endangered in Britain. The information centre at Lime Kiln Cottage is open most days from 10am – 4pm. The reserve hosts many special events throughout the year which are free.
