St. Mary's Parish Church
For nearly a thousand years, the Parish Church of St. Mary has overlooked the town of Rye from atop a nearby hill. The church faced its biggest challenge in 1377, when French invaders sacked the town. The church bells were taken to France, but recovered the following year and hung in Watchbell Street to be used as warning in case of a future attack.
Rye Harbour Nature Reserve
These 465 hectares of marshland are home to a huge variety of wildlife, with 3,540 species recorded so far – including some of Britain's most endangered. The area has long been a military stronghold, with fortifications dating to the 16th, 19th, and 20th centuries throughout the reserve. A huge network of paths connects it with Rye and Winchelsea Beach.
Camber Sands
The only system of sand dunes in East Sussex, Camber sits east of the River Rother estuary and reaches all the way to the county of Kent. When desert shots are required, lower budget movies made in the UK invariably shoot them in Camber. Brightly coloured kites illuminate the skies at this favourite destination.
Rye Heritage Centre
Check out a model of Rye at this fascinating centre offering information on the story of the region. A renowned sound and light show is a feature of the museum. The centre also offers historical walking tours of the area, and guided ghost tours of the many haunted buildings in this ancient area.
Ypres Tower Museum
The reason for the construction of Ypres Tower remains a mystery. It was built around 1240, during the reign of Henry III. One theory suggests that since Normandy had recently been lost, the king feared future attacks by the French and had the tower constructed. Although it has had many uses throughout its history, it has primarily served as a defence for Rye.
