Rye is a compact and picturesque town with narrow streets such as Mermaid Street. It was one of the Cinque Ports but is now several miles inland. A good sandy beach is a short bus ride away at Camber. Rye PlusBus tickets are valid within the local area, including to Camber, Rye Harbour, Tenterden and Winchelsea..
TI Town Hall, Market St. Tel. 01797 223902.
The story of Rye told through a town model sound and light show. Seaside penny arcade.
Open Feb-Oct, WThFSSu 1100-1600.
www.ryeheritage.co.uk
A brick-fronted house, home of the writer Henry James and later authors EF Benson and Rumer Godden.
Walled garden. Tearoom.
Open Mar-Oct, MTFSSu 1100-1700.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
This museum is on two sites. The 13th century Ypres Tower houses Medieval pottery, smuggling items and the
story of Romney Marsh. A second building in East Street has Rye's old fire engine, toys, local pottery and maritime displays.
Open Ypres Tower, Daily 1030-1700 (1530 Nov-Mar). East Street, Apr-Oct, SSu 1030-1630.
www.ryemuseum.co.uk
A Reserve in two sections with habitats supporting a rich variety of wildlife: grazing marshes and reedbeds
north of Camber Castle; plus shingle ridges, saltmarsh and lagoons near the coast, south of the Information Centre.
Five bird-watching hides. Gulls, terns, redshank and avocet can be seen around the saline lagoons.
Guided walks include Camber Castle.
Open Reserve and hides open at all times.
www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk
Bus
313 from station to Rye Harbour, then ½ mile to Information Centre. M-S about hourly, Sun & BH 2-hourly, 8 minutes journey.
Rye PlusBus tickets are valid for this journey.
Operated by Stagecoach.
The ruins of an artillery fort built by Henry VIII to guard the port of Rye.
Open Limited opening for guided tours, see website for details.
Also guided walks around Rye Harbour Nature Reserve (see above) include the castle.
www.english-heritage.co.uk
Great Dixter was the family home of gardener and gardening writer Christopher Lloyd.
The garden is in the arts and crafts style with topiary, long border, orchard and wildflower meadow.
The House is a recreation of a medieval manor house, complete with great hall, parlour and solar.
Refreshments and picnic area.
Open Apr-Oct, TWThFSSu & BH 1100-1700, House 1200-1600.
www.greatdixter.co.uk
Bus
313 from station to Northiam, Dixter Road (just after Post Office), about 20 minutes journey, then ½ mile walk.
Daily about every 2 hours.
Operated by Stagecoach.
Buses also operate from Hastings and Tenterden.
Ellen Terry's early 16th century house and cottage garden. The grounds include the Barn Theatre. Tearoom.
Open Mar-Oct, WThFSSu 1100-1700.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Bus
312 from station to Smallhythe Church, near Smallhythe Place.
Daily about every 2 hours, 20 minutes journey.
Rye PlusBus tickets are valid for this journey.
Operated by Stagecoach.
Tenterden is a traditional Kentish town with a picturesque wide High Street lined with weather-boarded shops. If you are happy to travel by bus (and steam railway) it makes a good base for exploring Kent and East Sussex.
TI Town Hall, tel. 01580 763572.
Bus 312 from station to Tenterden.
Daily about every 2 hours, 25 minutes journey.
Rye PlusBus tickets are valid for this journey.
Operated by Stagecoach.
Buses to Tenterden also operate from Ashford International and
Headcorn.
A 10½ mile preserved steam railway from Tenterden to Bodiam.
Open please see website for details.
www.kesr.org.uk
Bus see Tenterden above.
Buses to Bodiam (the other end of the Railway) operate from Hastings
and Wadhurst.
This museum at Tenterden station tells the story of the man who built and ran the K&ESR and
many other Light Railways. Admission free, donations welcome.
Open Apr-Oct, afternoons when K&ESR trains are running.
www.kesr.org.uk
Bus see Tenterden above.
The Museum covers local history with maps, models and exhibits of Tenterden, local buildings, industries and agriculture.
The Museum is housed in a weather-boarded industrial building, a type once common in the area.
Open Apr-Oct, M-S 1000-1600, Sun 1300-1600.
www.tenterdenmuseum.co.uk
Bus see Tenterden above.
