Rye circular

Visiting Rye is like stepping back in time. Medieval houses line cobbled streets in the centre of town, and there are many little alleyways and crooked pathways just waiting to be explored. This short loop takes you to characterful points of interest including the famous picturesque Mermaid Street, the historic defensive Landgate, and the Church of St. Mary, though our route can be easily adapted as you explore off the beaten track.

We recommend arriving by car and using Gibbet Marsh Car Park on the outskirts of Rye, with just a short 5 minute walk into town. Parking charges apply. For those without their own transport, there are local bus routes to Rye from surrounding towns, and Rye is well connected by train with its own train station in the centre.

This route is an easy one that follows pavements and cobbled streets through the town. The walk begins with a beautiful view of Rye windmill, which was built in 1824, before heading across the River Brede. Our first stop on the route is Mermaid Street, where you can admire its characterful house names and mismatched buildings in a mixture of Georgian and medieval styles. Depending on the time of year, you’ll find bright purple Wisteria flowers in full bloom along some of the house fronts. Our route carries on through pretty streets past the National Trust’s Grade II listed Lamb House, and onto the 12th-century Church of St. Mary. You can climb the bell tower inside the church for a view over the town, and dogs are welcome too (though be advised climbing the tower is very narrow and may be unsuitable for large dogs).

You’ll also pass through the Landgate – one of the last remaining gates that was built in 1329 to defend Rye from invading forces. For the rest of the route you’ll pass a plethora of independent shops, cafes and pubs perfect for getting a real taste of Rye life, before heading back towards the river. There are plenty of public benches along the water’s edge to enjoy people-watching, and ice cream vans pull up in the Summer to treat tourists to a 99 ice cream.

There are so many wonderful places to stop for food and drink in Rye. We recommend heading to Knoops just past the Landgate – a speciality chocolate cafe that makes the most delicious hot chocolates and milkshakes in varying percentages of white, milk and dark chocolate. For highly rated fish and chips, head to Marino’s Fish Bar where you can takeaway food or sit inside, where dogs are also welcome.