RYE - The Ancient Town of the Cinque Ports.
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.
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, in ancient days, was once entirely surrounded by sea, its only link with the mainland at high tide was the Land Gate, one of the finest relics in the south of England, which still stands to this day only a few
yards from Rye Lodge Hotel.
Although, now some way from the coast, Rye is not completely landlocked. The fishing fleet moors on the river Rother estuary just below Rye Lodge and fresh fish from the boats each morning ensures that the
famous Rye Bay Plaice is usually on the menu at Rye Lodge.
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. The Mermaid is undoubtedly one of the
oldest Inns in England.
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 no less than four working potteries within the town. Pottery from Rye is exported throughout the world. One of the oldest buildings in the town is the old monastery built early in the 1300s and today home to the famous Cinque Ports Pottery Company.
Rye Castle with its 13th Century Ypres Tower was at one time the town's prison but now houses
the town's museum and visitors can spend a fascinating hour of so looking at relics of the past.
In contrast the modern, recently built Heritage Centre by the river on Strand Quay houses the
Town Model which shows the town as
it was a century or more ago. There are sound and light
shows about the history of the town for visitors to watch and the Heritage Centre also houses the
Tourist Information Centre.
