East Sussex
A Visitor Guide to East Sussex

Rye

• Location
  Rye lies some ten miles or so north west of  Hastings on the A259.

The Mermaid

One of the Cinque Ports, Rye, now inland, was once an important port.  It was particularly important during the years of struggle against France. Twice, in 1377 and 1448, the town was burnt almost to the ground by the French.  Not surprisingly, the town was once fortified and one of the gates survives to this day along with parts of the wall.  The Ypres Tower, built in the 13^th century still survives and is home to the local museum.

Rye is the most easterly town in Sussex and is extremely pretty. It has been called one of the gems of East Sussex. It is one of the best preserved medieval fishing towns in the country.  Cobbled streets (Mermaid Street being the most photographed of these), old buildings, smugglers haunts and old churches (some back to 1150) all combine to make it a great hit with visitors from home and abroad. Henry James, the novelist, chose to spend the last twenty years of his life in Lamb House, West Street.  It is a magnificent Georgian mansion where George I was once entertained, it is now in the guardianship of the National Trust. After James' death, the house was bought by the author E. F. Benson, writer of the Mapp and Lucia books. The stories were set in Rye which he renamed Tilling.

Lamb House

The delightful nature of the town have attracted artists of all sorts to the town and there are numerous potters, artists, painters and craftsmen now resident and keen to sell their wares!

Rye is renowned for its bonfire celebrations held each year.

The church of St. Mary was built in the 12th century - during a 14th century French raid, the bells were stolen and taken back to France!  Today golden 'quarter boys' come out above the clock every quarter of an hour.  The clock is the oldest turret clock in the land.  This hilltop church is well worth a visit.

Church Square

The Town Hall which dates back to 1742 is by the church and is home to many treasures including a collection of the town maces.  It is also home to the gibbet irons together with the skull of a local murderer.

Other buildings of note are the Augustinian Friary and the Old Grammar School.

Around Rye

• Winchelsea
  Location
  Situated on the A259 Rye to Hastings Road lies the town of Winchelsea. Winchelsea, the very first 'new' town!

If you are going to Rye, don't miss this one!  One of the Cinque Ports and one of the most important historical places in the county, Winchelsea, retains three gates from the medieval town.  There are also the remains of the port built by Edward I to replace the original harbour which was lost to the sea in the 13th century. Attacked by the French seven times in the 13th and 14th centuries, the population dropped from 6000 to a few hundred! Winchelsea nonetheless has managed to retain some parts of St. Thomas', a 13th century church which has some wonderful stained glass and three fantastic canopied and pinnacled tombs from about 1300.  If you are into tombs you can't miss these!

There are so many ancient buildings in this village - go and have a look at the information board by the church - it will give you loads of information.

The original site of Winchelsea was virtually washed away by a great storm in 1287 and work on the 'new' town began the following year.  The 'new' Winchelsea was the very first planned from scratch town! The Court Hall probably dates back to this time and part of it is now a museum.
Many famous authors have worked here including Thackeray and Joseph Conrad.  Ellen Terry, the great actress, also lived here.

• Bodiam Castle
• Location
  About ten miles north of Hastings, near Robertsbridge.

Built in 1385, this castle is the last one to be constructed on traditional lines. The exterior is virtually complete making it look like a picturebook castle. Many events are held here throughout the year. It is owned byn the National Trust.

• Northiam
• Location
  About seven miles to the west of Rye on A28.

A collection of white weatherboarded cottages are the most noticeable feature of Northiam and make it one of the prettiest of villages.  These cottages, many of which date back to the 18^th century, line the main street of this very long village.

'Brickwall', an impressive house which dates back to 1633, takes its name from the huge wall surrounding the building.  The garden was laid out in the 17^th century.
A steam train runs from here to Tenterden.

The triangular village green, home to Queen Elizabeth's Oak which is said to be the tree under which she once dined.

• Great Dixter

Just north of Northiam lies this wonderful 15th century house and gardens. It is thought to be one of Sir Edwin Lutyens most successful renovations.  It is open to the public from April to October.

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