Rye

Rye - Myths and Mermaids. Hunt for treasures in the quaint mediaeval town of Rye, have tea in the beautiful town of Winchelsea or relax on the miles of sandy beaches at Camber.
Perched on a sandstone hill, overlooking the Romney Marshes, the picturesque town of Rye was once surrounded by the sea. Over hundreds of years the sea has receded but Rye still retains a harbour and its marine connections.
Rye's maritime heritage dates back to Norman times when it was owned by the Abbey of Fecamp in Normandy and later became an 'Ancient Town', part of the famous Cinque Ports. By the 18th Century, Rye had become a major centre for smuggling and some of their secret passages and tunnels are still in evidence today.

Now Rye is a thriving market town, beautifully preserved, with a maze of cobbled streets, including the famous Mermaid Street, crammed with tiny mediaeval houses and elegant Georgian buildings. There is no shortage of things to do or see. Hunt for antiques, explore museums and art galleries. Visit the Heritage Centre that brings 700 years of history to life, or the unusual Rye Treasury of Mechanical Music, watch pottery being made in the famous Rye potteries or find a first edition in one of the many specialist book shops. Rye has always been a magnet for artists, potters and authors; once the home of E.F. Benson, Creator of Mapp and Lucia, Henry James and Russell Thorndike who created the Dr. Syn myths through his novels.