Things to do in Rye Sussex

Things to do in Rye Sussex, there are many ways to enjoy Rye, it depends on your age, interests, perhaps accessibility consideration or lifestyle choices. We delight in hearing from Guests to help craft the best possible experience. Do give us a call on 01797222220

Rye Castle Museum – Ypres Tower is open 7 days a week throughout the year.
March 30 – October 31 : 10:30 – 5:00, Last admission 4:30 November 1 – March 29: 10:30 am – 3:30 Last admission 3:00 pm

Admission charges :
Adults £5.00
Children under 16 go free but must be accompanied by an adult.

The East Street Museum is open every weekend from the beginning of April until the end of October from 10.30 until 4.30. Last admission 4pm.

Entrance is free but donations are always gratefully received as we receive no funding. For more information on how to help us with funding

Lamb House

Red-brick fronted house with literary associations – both Henry James and E. F. Benson lived here. Mapp and Lucia was filmed around Lamb House.

The garden
Lamb House has a walled garden, one of the largest gardens in the old town of Rye; it was designed as we see it today by a friend of Henry James called Alfred Parsons.

Find roses, lilies, spring bulbs and many herbaceous varieties bordering the lawn which ensure continuous colour and interest throughout the year.

Also to be found in the garden are the graves of James’ much loved dogs. The garden is a tranquil contrast to the busy streets of the town in the summer and sitting beside the pond one can fully understand why James had such affection for his garden. Today the garden is a refuge for visitors and local people alike.

Rye Harbour Nature Reserve is one of the largest and most important wildlife sites in England, set in an exceptional coastal and wetland landscape and home to more than 4,355 species of plants and animals including 300 that are rare or endangered.

Visible from Saltcote Place and either a 10 minute drive or an hours walk this is a place we enjoy visiting often. The Circular walk is (in our opinion) best enjoyed by going anti-clockwise if only so the wind is behind you in time to enjoy a short break at the Discovery Centre.

The perfect place to refuel after a walk, drop in and enjoy a range of hot and cold drinks, pastries, sandwiches and paninis. We also have lots of freshly baked cakes and sweet treats to tempt you too. All served with incredible views out on to the nature reserve. We even have binoculars in case you spot our resident Spoonbill or Kingfisher.

Discover Rye: A Safe and Charming Medieval Retreat for Mature Couples around 700 yards from Saltcote Place, leave your car and relax.

Rye is a delightful haven for mature couples seeking a peaceful escape with a touch of history and charm. This picturesque town offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere and an exceptional blend of medieval heritage, tranquil surroundings, and modern comforts.

Rye boasts a remarkable selection of cafes and restaurants, perfect for leisurely dining and indulging in local flavours. Enjoy light refreshments in oak-beamed tea rooms or ancient inns, where roaring fires create a cozy ambiance during the winter months. The town’s culinary offerings include dishes made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients such as Romney Marsh lamb and fish caught daily by Rye’s own fleet of little fishing boats.

Stepping into Rye is like stepping back in time. Its cobbled streets, flanked by lovingly preserved Tudor and Elizabethan buildings, evoke the romance of medieval England. Just an hour from London, this charming town provides a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of modern life. It’s a world away, offering serenity, relaxation, and a chance to unwind together.

The town’s historic heart is crowned by the 12th-century Parish Church of St. Mary’s, set in a square renowned as one of the finest examples of medieval architecture in England. The church, once the social hub of Rye, remains a fascinating and tranquil place to explore.

Vine and Country Tours Have years of experience, they know all of the vineyards and offer a great way to pass a few hours to passing a few days, Jamie & Steph have crafted some amazing agendas and know the vineyard owners personally. You will be collected from Saltcote Place and have the most amazing time being chauffeured around.

Kent & Sussex Wine Tours & Vineyard Lunches
Embark on a unique adventure with our acclaimed Kent & Sussex Wine Tours & Vineyard Lunches, veering off the well-trodden path.

Our meticulously crafted wine tours handle all the details, allowing you ample time to explore exquisite vineyards, savor numerous award-winning wines, and relish regional delicacies with your friends.

Setting us apart is the indulgence of our vineyard tour lunches—a fully catered experience, curated by your personal chef, elevating the celebration of regional wines and foods right at the vineyards.

Whatever your preference, we offer a distinctive food & wine tour experience ready to enchant, astonish, and pamper you!

Camber Sands: A Safe, Friendly Beach for Mature Couples

Just a ten-minute drive from Saltcote Place, and visible from our grounds and the Hennessy Suite, lies the tranquil haven of Camber Sands—the longest stretch of sandy beach in East Sussex.

This “Blue Flag” beach spans over two miles and offers a gentle, inviting atmosphere that’s ideal for couples seeking a peaceful escape. Its expansive sands, stretching up to half a mile wide at low tide, provide plenty of space to unwind, whether you prefer a leisurely stroll or simply relaxing by the shore.

Camber Sands is not only beautiful but also recognized as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI), ensuring its natural charm and ecological significance are carefully preserved. The gently undulating sand dunes, leading down to soft golden sands, create an idyllic setting perfect for enjoying the fresh sea air.

For those interested in a bit of exploring, the beach is a wonderful spot for beachcombing and birdwatching. Nearby, the unique landscapes of Dungeness—the largest desert in Northern Europe—add an intriguing option for a short excursion.

Getting to Camber Sands from Saltcote Place is easy and flexible. The drive takes just minutes, and for those who enjoy being active, a scenic walk will take around an hour. Local cycle hire is also available, making it simple to explore the surrounding area at your own pace.

Whether celebrating a special occasion or enjoying a relaxing break, Camber Sands offers the perfect combination of accessibility, safety, and serene natural beauty for mature couples.

Rye is a foodie’s paradise, and you could easily spend your day eating and drinking your way around town. In fact, we’d recommend it.

The restaurants below are listed here because at breakfast we ask how was last nights meal. We know you will enjoy a meal at these restaurants and recommend you read their reviews and menu to make your own choices.

The Landgate Bistro is a multi-award winning family run restaurant a short walk from Saltcote Place.  This is one of our three choices for fine dining.

Webbs Fish Cafe  Is far from being a Café it’s a popular fine dining restaurant as part of a family run group of restaurants. Local, Local, Local this has always been a firm favourite with our guests.

The Union Rye  Located in East Street it’s a very friendly pub with restaurant but again it’s fine dining.

The Globe Inn Marsh is only a few hundreds yards from Saltcote Place, it’s a very popular restaurant From Pizza, Pasta, Sunday Roasts, vegan and vegetarian option.

Simply Italian  Located on the other side of Rye, still a short walk though around 20 minutes or 5 by car.

Vine and Country Tours Have years of experience, they know all of the vineyards and offer a great way to pass a few hours to passing a few days, Jamie & Steph have crafted some amazing agendas and know the vineyard owners personally. You will be collected from Saltcote Place and have the most amazing time being chauffeured around.

Kent & Sussex Wine Tours & Vineyard Lunches
Embark on a unique adventure with our acclaimed Kent & Sussex Wine Tours & Vineyard Lunches, veering off the well-trodden path.

Our meticulously crafted wine tours handle all the details, allowing you ample time to explore exquisite vineyards, savor numerous award-winning wines, and relish regional delicacies with your friends.

Setting us apart is the indulgence of our vineyard tour lunches—a fully catered experience, curated by your personal chef, elevating the celebration of regional wines and foods right at the vineyards.

Whatever your preference, we offer a distinctive food & wine tour experience ready to enchant, astonish, and pamper you!

The Fire Hills in Hastings
From Saltcote Place if you enjoy a walk you can get there in around 90 minutes, drive there in around 20 or get there by bus.

Once at the Fire Hills we like to park at near Coastguards cottage from where it is easy to walk down to the ridge and view the seals.

If you want to arrange a safe and fun guided tour to see the seals let us know as we can arrange it for you with a fun trip in a boat which again will respect the seals and maintain a safe distance.

There are many excellent walks around the Rye Bay area from a few miles to more challenging walks, whatever you want from your trip to Rye we will happily discuss this on 01797222220

Things to do in Rye Sussex, even on foot you can be in the High street in ten minutes and enjoy a day exploring our beautiful medieval town, we will work with you to ensure you have the best time.

Vineyards Near Rye
Charles Palmer Vineyard Winchelsea
Book your wine tasking here https://www.charlespalmer-vineyards.co.uk/wine-tastings/

Following our wine tasting, we can also offer signature vineyard feast lunches, freshly cooked by our good friends at VINE + COUNTRY. This delightful two course lunch will feature a variety of delicious recipes which showcase the very best of the season. You can also book full OR half day packages which includes all of the above plus transport from your accommodation or train station as well.

Oxney Estates
Book your tour here https://oxneyestate.com/vineyard-tours/
Vineyard Tours at Oxney: Explore Oxney, our organic vineyard near Rye, and get the behind-the-scenes story of our wines on a 90-minute guided tour and tasting. From May through September we run tours every Saturday at 11am. In October-April our winter season means less time outside and more time inside tasting and nibbling our home made charcuterie (veg options available).

Tillingham
Book your tour here https://tillingham.com/visit/tours/
Our tours run each day that we are open and generally last around 90 minutes, these can be a little shorter or longer depending on the size of the group. Tours cost £35 per person and places can be booked online via Resy

Gusbourne Vineyard
Enjoy a tour of a really good local vineyard with an excellent meal and plenty of excellent wine tasting. It may be a good idea to arrange a taxi as they are a generous lot at Gusbourne.
The tours range from a simple walk around the vineyard to a range of tasting sessions followed by a meal with matched wines. We always have great feedback from these sessions.
https://www.gusbourne.com/tours

Seddlescombe Vineyard
Book your tour here https://www.sedlescombeorganic.com/pages/book-a-tour-and-tasting

English Wine Tasting Tours
Wines of Kent and East Sussex rival those of the best from Europe. Fortunately we have the best of local tour companies available to enjoy excellent relationships with every wine producer in the south east.
https://www.englishwinetastingtours.co.uk/small-group-private-wine-tour/

Grapevine Wine and Champagne bar
Seriously one of the best bars in town, live jazz most nights and always a great atmosphere, our guests love it here https://thegrapevinerye.com/

Nature and Healthy pursuits 

Rye Harbour Nature Reserve
Only a short drive away and visible from the garden. The nature reserve offers a flat level walk of around 1.5 miles and has over 1,000 acres of flat, open low lying ground. With over 4,355 species recorded so far, including more than 300 considered rare and endangered in Britain.

The newly opened discovery centre is an accessible friendly hub for Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. The excellent café, shop also offer fantastic views. https://rye.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/discovery-centre

Enjoy Rambling ? 
We have some of the best walks in England, immerse yourself in Forests, Beach walks or cliff top looking down on the seals https://saltcote.co.uk/walking-breaks-in-rye/

Camber Sands
A 10 minute drive to the beach which can also be seen from our garden or a pleasant level walk which takes around 45 minutes. Camber sands is one of the best beaches in the UK.  Keep an eye out for marsh harriers and seals popping their heads out above the waves although you can arrange a trip to the nearby colony of seals where you can see them safely from a reasonable distance so that we do not disturb them.

Gardens open to the public near Rye
We have Great Dixter guests come from all over the World for courses and to pass the time of day. Great Dixter is about 6 miles from Rye.

Pashley manor is well worth a visit. The amazing Tulips planted by James and his team offer a tranquil setting. The staff are all extremely knowledgeable about the gardens.

Sissinghurst Castle Gardens
Historic, poetic, iconic: a refuge dedicated to beauty. Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson fell in love with Sissinghurst Castle and created a world-renowned garden.

Sarah Raven Courses and Events
Our East Sussex garden is not open every day, but you can visit (pre-booking only) on the open days that are listed here. The Perch Hill Shop also open on these days. Please phone 0345 092 0283.

Romney Hythe and Dymchurch light Railway
https://www.rhdr.org.uk/ is a small gauge light railway only a short drive from Rye.

Kent and East Sussex Light Railway
https://www.kesr.org.uk/ This is a great day out as the railway commutes between Tenterden and Bodiam Castle. Both Bodiam Castle and the Railway are well worth a visit.

Bodiam Castle is probably one of the most intact castles in the UK It’s a National Trust Property. Travel to the Bodiam Boating Station from Saltcote Place takes about 5 minutes. By Boat to Bodiam takes around 35 minutes. Travel back by Train to Tenterden later returning to your car at Northiam it will be a great day.

Bodiam Boating Station offers the chance to enjoy the countryside as you quietly move along the river toward Bodiam Castle.

Places to eat in Rye
We have a full list of the best places to eat in Rye that we send to you as part of the confirmation process, we include a Pub without a bar, even before Covid they focussed on table service. We suggest a fish café who insist on fresh everything but never advertise and places with real log fires that are so very inviting.