Rye/Camber Sands

Rye – medieval gem of the Cinque Ports

This picturesque market town is home to the enchanting cobbled Mermaid Street, the impressive Norman church of St Mary’s, a rich selection of antique and specialist shops and a thriving fishing fleet. Camber Castle, built by Henry VIII is located in the midst of the dramatic Rye Harbour Nature Reserve.

Perched on a sandstone hill, overlooking the Romney Marshes, Rye was once surrounded on three sides by the sea ready to guard the coast against invasion. Over hundreds of years the sea has receded but Rye’s maritime heritage dates back to Norman times when it was owned by the Abbey of Fecamp in Normandy. The town was reclaimed by Henry III in 1247 when a castle (now Rye Museum) was built to defend the town and later became a head port and part of the powerful Cinque Ports Confederation. Rye survived frequent attacks from the French during the 14^th century but during a raid in 1377 all but the stone buildings were burned. Many of the houses seen today date from the rebuilding after this event.

Perhaps one of Rye’s most exciting times was during the 18^th century when its prosperity depended as much on smuggling as any other trade. The famous Mermaid Inn was once the haunt of the notorious smugglers, the Hawkhurst Gang where they ‘’would sit and drink with loaded pistols on the table.’’

Today, you will see that Rye has been beautifully preserved and is a maze of Medieval, Tudor and Georgian buildings. Take time to discover its architectural treasures and narrow passageways and see the fine views from the tower of St Mary’s Parish Church. When exploring the churchyard look out for the Town Water Cistern built in 1735. Visit the Rye Heritage Centre, at Strand Quay where the Town Model Sound and Light Show brings 700 years of Rye’s history to life. The Ypres Tower built in 1249 is now the Rye Castle Museum and, with its sister site in East Street has an interesting mix of displays, collections and exhibitions.

Rye has always been a magnet for writers and artists. Lamb House, a National Trust property, was once the home of Henry James and later E.F.Benson, a one time Mayor of Rye and creator of the Mapp and Lucia books, whose fictional town Tilling was based on Rye. Other literary figures include Conrad Aiken, H.G.Wells, Joseph Conrad, G.K.Chesterton and Russell Thorndike who created the Dr. Syn John myths through his novels. John Ryan, the creator of Pugwash and his swashbuckling stories also lived in the town. The artists Paul Nash and Edward Burra lived in Rye, and the surrounding coastline has been painted by many famous artists such as Van Dyck, Whistler, the Pre-Raphaelites and John Piper.

Rye has a wealth of galleries and studios offering fine art, landscape photography and local pottery. And the town has a great choice of restaurants, with seafood a speciality - the local fishing fleet of around 20 boats work out of the newly refurbished Simmons Quay landing the famous Rye scallop, sole, cod and plaice.

Near Rye is Camber, renowned for its outstanding natural beauty with its miles of golden sands, safe bathing and a great location for beachcombing. This stunning stretch of sandy beach is home to the only sand dune system in East Sussex and exposed to strong winds at times which make it the perfect location for windsurfing, sailing and the ever popular kitesurfing.