Rye Town

Rye has an exceptional choice of good cafes and restaurants serving cuisine from all over the world. Light refreshments can be taken in oak-beamed cafes or ancient inns, beside a roaring fire in the winter. Restaurants in Rye serve many local dishes including Romney Marsh lamb, and fish freshly caught by the fleet of little fishing boats which are moored on the river. A town for all seasons, there is always plenty to see and do in Rye!

No town in England captures the atmosphere of medieval England more than Rye with its cobbled streets and picturesque Tudor and Elizabethan period houses which have been lovingly preserved over the centuries. Rye is the perfect place for a peaceful and relaxing stay – a totally different world from the noise, bustle and stress of modern life in the cities. Rye is full of unique shops and independent traders making it the most wonderful of shopping experiences and a great little place to get some unique gifts or trinkets during your visit.

Ancient Rye, crowned by its 12th Century Parish Church of St Mary’s which is reputed to be one of the finest examples of a medieval church square, in the days when the church was the social centre of the town and played the part of Town Hall, Civic Centre, Social Security Office, etc., all rolled into one.

Rye is a paradise of medieval and Georgian houses lining quiet cobbled streets, including the world famous Mermaid Street with the famous Mermaid Inn (rebuilt in 1420) home of the smugglers of times past and the infamous Hawkhurst Gang.

Rye is, and has been for many years, a haven for artists and writers. Henry James, E.F. Benson, G.K. Chesterton, H.G. Wells, all have links with the town. Many artists capture the charm of Rye in oils or water colours and these paintings are on show at the many art galleries in the town.

Rye is also famous for its pottery and there are still working potteries within the town. Pottery from Rye is exported throughout the world.