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(On the Island)
General Details
11 miles east of Hastings on the A259, Rye sits on a hill
top with the church tower at the highest point, and the
buildings clustered all around. The town is situated a few
miles from the sea, however during the Middle Ages it stood
on a promontory. It was linked to the land by a narrow,
easily defensible neck of land, guarded on either side by
the wide estuaries of the Rivers Tillingham and Rother.
The Saxons called it 'Atter Ie', meaning 'on the island'. Over the years this was altered to 'Atte Rie', and finally to just Rye . It is an 'Antient Town' as is its neighbour Winchelsea which were linked to the Cinque Ports in 1289, and was responsible for supplying ships to the English Fleet. In the same year it was given the status of a Royal Borough. In 1377 and 1448 the city was burned down by the French. From the 15th Century, its importance declined, due to raids by the French, and the silting up of the estuary and the build up of shingle along the foreshore. However its fishing fleet remains important, and still survives today - the boats unload their catches on the quayside on the Eastern side of the town. In 1573 Queen Elizabeth I visited Rye and was so pleased by her reception that she gave the town the right to call itself 'Rye Royal'. In 1726 George I was grounded on Camber Sands, and he stayed at Rye for 4 days, at Lamb House, Rye's grandest town mansion. It was built and owned by James Lamb, a member of the Lamb family who ran the town throughout the 18th century. The house has been the home to two famous writers. The American novelist Henry James lived there from 1897 - 1916, and E.F.Benson, who was also mayor of Rye in 1934. Mermaid Street is Rye's most photographed street. It is cobbled, and lined with beautiful old houses. The Mermaid Inn, full of beams and Inglenooks is said to have been founded in the 11th century, and in the 'olden days' it was frequented by the notorious and vicious Hawkhurst Gang of smugglers . Parts of Rye still look today very much as they did in the Middle Ages. It is one of the gems of the East Sussex coast, and in summer is packed with tourists who come to admire its half timbered Georgian houses, its cobbled streets and its medieval fortifications. Its superb setting between the rolling sussex countryside, and the levels of Romney Marsh with the sea beyond stretching into the distance, makes for some magnificent views. |
 Rye is the main shopping centre for many of the surrounding
villages. There are many small shops, and a supermarket in the
town, along with many gift shops, pubs and eating places.
The Hastings to Folkestone hourly bus service travels through the town, with less frequent services to Tenterden . The town has its own railway station on the Ashford to Hastings line, with an hourly service during the day, and more frequently during rush hour. |
 There are many views in Rye , walk up to the church, and follow
Mermaid Street down to the Quay .
The old High Street is very enjoyable to walk down. Walk down to the Landgate , and then look down on the Fishing Quay, and the expanse of flat land across the Dungeness Marshes. The most impressive view for those who like wide vistas, is probably from the old Town Gaol (which now houses Rye Castle Museum), looking out on the Marshes to the left, Camber in front and Fairlight to the right. The 1066 Country Walk runs to the town. |
Location
50°57'N
0°44'E
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