10 Things To Do In Rye, East Sussex: Must-See Day Trip From London

If you’re looking for a charming escape from the city, a day trip to Rye is one of the most rewarding experiences in Southeast England. This small town in East Sussex feels like stepping back in time, with its cobbled streets, medieval architecture, and cozy pubs tucked into historic buildings. Whether you’re visiting for a few hours or planning a full day itinerary, there are plenty of unforgettable things to do in Rye that make it well worth the journey.

Rye offers the perfect mix of history, nature, and small-town charm. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best things to do in Rye, including must-see attractions and practical tips to help you make the most of your visit. If you’re wondering whether Rye is worth visiting or how to plan the perfect Rye East Sussex itinerary, you’re in the right place.

Located just 2 hours by train from London, Rye is an ideal choice for a relaxed yet inspiring getaway. Whether you’re interested in photography, scenic walks, or hoping to combine a trip here with nearby attractions, this guide will help you discover exactly what to do in Rye in one day. 

This post is all about the best things to do in Rye, East Sussex.

10 best things to do in Rye, East Sussex

1. Mermaid Street

Even if you have never heard of Rye until now, I am fairly confident you will have seen a photo of this iconic location at some point in your life. Mermaid Street is the most famous street in Rye and for good reason. Lined with old traditional houses, this cobblestone street looks straight out of a fairytale. To be completely honest, I first heard of Rye through a photo from here, and it immediately made me want to visit! Not only is this street popular with visitors, but it’s also one of the main streets in the village. This means that it will likely be busy during the day. If it’s important for you to see it without any people, then I highly recommend arriving early. 

I was here at around 4 PM, and I didn’t find it overly busy. If you don’t mind being a little patient, then you should be able to get a few moments without people fairly regularly. For the best photo spot on Mermaid Street, you want to stand close to the intersection of Mermaid Street and West Street. You can also simply navigate to the exact location I recommend here. To be completely honest, there isn’t a whole lot else to do in Mermaid Street beyond admiring the beautiful architecture. Although that in itself is worth it in my opinion 🥰. 

2. Mermaid Inn

After exploring Mermaid Street I highly recommend popping into the Mermaid Inn for a drink or meal. The Mermaid Inn is a beautiful inn located, as you may have guessed, in Mermaid Street. The inn is over 600 years old and is the most charming place to stay when visiting Rye. If you are considering spending the weekend in Rye, then I highly recommend staying here.

The village of Rye has a long history of being a smuggling hub in the 17th and 18th centuries. Its strategic coastal location was taken advantage of by gangs like the Hawkhurst gang to import tea, brandy, and tobacco. On top of that, the Mermaid Inn specifically has a notorious history of being considered haunted. Therefore, staying here is not for the faint-hearted (consider yourselves warned!). If you want to read some stories from guests and the inn about their ghosts, you can do so here! 

Personally, I don’t see myself sleeping in a haunted inn, so I stuck with a drink in their pub. The pub is extremely charming and very worth even a short pit stop. It also makes for the perfect refuge from the fairly common rain. As I was traveling solo, I found myself speaking to some friendly locals – an occurrence that I found quite common in the English countryside! You can also consider coming here for their restaurant, which looks absolutely divine. You can read more about the menu and reservations here. 

3. Old Borough Arms

The Old Borough Arms is another guest house in Rye, but what I love most about it is the exterior. Located at the bottom of Mermaid Street, the building captured my attention immediately. It was unfortunately closed when I was in Rye, but it looked like the ideal spot for a beer in the sun when the weather is good. There’s plenty of space out front or on their terrace, and you can find a bar, cafe, and ice cream shop here. As I just mentioned, it’s also a guest house. While it’s not as historic or charming as the Mermaid Inn, it does make for a great alternative for a non-haunted stay!

4. Bell Tower of St. Mary’s Church

So I visited Rye on a weekday in late March, and during my visit, I learned that not a whole lot is open in the off-season. The village resembled a bit of a ghost town much of the time, although that may also have something to do with the on-off rain showers. While I still loved exploring the streets and seeing the village, I didn’t get to experience everything that I had hoped for.

While the website for the church towers doesn’t offer much information for visiting, it does state that the tower should be open most days between 10 and 16. Since Rye is quite small, I highly recommend stopping by to check if it’s open. From the top, you can enjoy views over Rye as well as the stunning countryside surrounding the village. If the weather is good, you should also be able to see the sea from here!

5. Rye Castle Museum 

One of the best things to do in Rye, East Sussex, is to explore the Rye Castle Museum. Rye Castle, also known as Ypres Tower, has had a lot of different functions before becoming the museum you will find today. Ypres Tower was first built in 1249 by Henry III to protect the port from attacks by the French. In the 15th century, it became a prison for smugglers and criminals, and was later expanded into a female prison. It stayed a prison for around 400 years before becoming a morgue. Then, around 1948, it was converted into the museum you will find here today.

The castle museum is open daily (except Christmas and Boxing Day), and visiting the Ypres Tower costs £5 to enter (free for children under 16). Opening hours depend on the season. From March 30 to October 31, the museum is open from 10:30 until 17:00, with last entry at 16:30. In the low season, between November 1 and March 29, the museum is open from 10:30 to 15:30 with last entrance at 15:00. 

6. Get lost exploring

One of my favorite things to do in a new city or village is to simply explore the small streets and see where they lead me. This is something I especially loved in Rye, as I found the small side streets to be incredibly charming. As an added bonus, Rye is so small that you can’t go wrong when exploring the streets here, as you will never wander far away. I recommend starting your explorations from Traders Passage, a super cute street, and seeing where you end up after! 

7. See the Landgate

When exploring Rye, you absolutely have to see the Landgate. The Landgate was built in 1329 to protect Rye from invading forces. Despite this, the French forces still managed to attack Rye several times, most notably in 1339 and 1377. Two gates were built to enclose the town of Rye, the second one called the Strandgate. It disappeared in 1819, and a few of its remains have been incorporated into the Old Borough Arms. While there isn’t a whole lot to do at the Landgate, it’s still very much worth a walk through this piece of history. 

8. Cobbles Tea Room

Another place you absolutely have to stop by in Rye is the Cobbles Tea Room! Nestled in a small and quaint street, the Cobbles Tea Room serves coffee, tea, cakes, and scones, making it the perfect late morning or early afternoon stop. The tea room is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00, although it is sometimes closed for maintenance or repairs. I highly recommend staying updated through their Facebook page here. While the interior is very charming, I highly recommend sitting outside if possible. There aren’t many outdoor seating options, so it might be a good idea to come as soon as they open if you would like an outdoor seat. In addition, the tea room really shines in the spring when all of the greenery in the alley is blooming. 

9. The Lamb House

The Lamb house is a historical Georgian home in Rye, built in 1723. It is known to be a place where King George I took refuge when his ship washed ashore near Camber Sands. It was later also the home of the famous writers Henry James and E.F. Benson. The Lamb House is a classical National Trust property, making it one of the top attractions in Rye. The Lamb House and Garden is open to visitors most days from 11:00 to 17:00; however, it is always closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays. It costs £10 to enter the house and garden for adults and £5 for children between 5 and 17 years old. 

To be completely honest, I decided not to visit as the garden was not yet in bloom. While the interior looks charming, I have never heard of the writers who have lived here, and I preferred to spend the entrance fee elsewhere. If you love historical sites and have read novels by the authors, then this is definitely a worthy attraction! You can read more about opening hours and how to visit here. 

10. Camber Sands

Since Rye lies so close to the coast, exploring it is one of the best things to do in Rye. Camber Sands is a beach located in the village of Camber, just 3 miles from Rye. It is best known for being the only sand dune system in East Sussex, and is highly beloved due to this. It is such a pretty coastline that it’s an absolute must on a warm summer’s day! Since it was grey and rainy during my visit, I personally decided to cut my losses and skip it for this visit. However, I am sure that I will be back to explore it on a summer’s day in the future. 

Getting here is very easy, as there are plenty of options. If you are visiting by car, then Camber Sands is just a quick 10-minute drive away. Alternatively, you can take bus number 100, which takes around 25 minutes. Lastly, if the weather is especially good, and you enjoy a long walk, then you can also take the walking path to Camber Sands. The route is about 3.3 miles in total and takes around an hour and ten minutes each way. 

How to get to Rye

By Car:

Getting to Rye by car is very easy, and there are several parking options in the town. Since Rye is fairly small, the parking lots here aren’t huge, so I highly recommend arriving earlier in the day to secure a spot. If you are staying overnight, then definitely plan to park in your hotel or inn’s parking lot – it will be much easier! Otherwise, I recommend one of two parking lots. The first option would be The Strand Car Park, which is both centrally located and fairly big (for Rye). It should cost around £4.5 for anywhere between 2-4 hours and £7 for over 4 hours, but prices are subject to change. The second option is Lucknow Place Car Park, which is fairly big, but the parking spaces are slightly narrow. Prices here should sit at around £4 for anywhere between 2-4 hours and £5 for over 4 hours. 

Exploring Rye by car is definitely not a must; however,  it can be quite comfortable if you are combining your visit with other nearby attractions. When it comes to car rentals, I am a huge fan of usingSunny Cars! I have been using their services for years and love their flexible cancellation policy and all-inclusive coverage included in the upfront price!

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By Public Transport:

Personally, I visited Rye by public transport, which I found to be very convenient! England has one of the best rail systems I have experienced in Europe, with incredible coverage and fairly timely trains. My only complaint is that the train prices can be quite insane, but that’s another story 😅. Getting to Rye from London is quite straightforward. It takes just around 2 hours and includes one change. To get to Rye, start by taking the southeastern train from London Bridge towards Ramsgate, getting off at Ashford International. Then, at Ashford International, take the Southern train to Eastbourne or Hastings, getting off at Rye. One-way tickets should cost around £30, but in my experience, the prices change quite frequently. Train tickets in England are best bought as far in advance as possible for the best price! 

Pro Tip: It is super easy to combine a day trip to Rye with a visit to Canterbury or Hastings! I chose to couple it with Canterbury, but you can find more information about that below. 

Best time to visit Rye

Rye is a perfect year-round destination, with each season offering a slightly different experience depending on what you’re looking for! Below you can find a short overview of what to expect for each season in Rye to help you plan your trip. ✨

Spring (March – May)

Spring is one of the best times to visit Rye if you’re looking for fewer crowds and blooming landscapes. The surrounding countryside and nearby nature reserves begin to come alive, making it ideal for scenic walks and photography. Temperatures are mild, and the town feels peaceful, offering a more relaxed experience compared to the busy summer months. That being said, keep in mind that the weather is also quite unpredictable this time of year!

Summer (June – August)

Summer is the most popular time to visit Rye, especially for those combining their trip with nearby coastal spots. Expect lively streets, open cafés, and the best weather of the year. This is the perfect time for enjoying places like Camber Sands and long daylight hours, though it can get busy, particularly on weekends.

Autumn (September – November)

Autumn brings a quieter, more atmospheric charm to Rye. The changing leaves add beautiful colors to the surrounding countryside, and the crowds begin to thin out. It’s a great time for a slower-paced visit, cozy café stops, and photography, especially on misty mornings. If I had to pick the season that I think Rye’s atmosphere fits best for, it’s definitely Autumn!

Winter (December – February)

Winter transforms Rye into a cozy destination. With fewer visitors, you’ll have the town largely to yourself, making it perfect for a peaceful getaway. While the weather can be cold and unpredictable, the festive period in December adds a magical touch with lights and seasonal charm.

Best things to do near Rye 

If you are planning a longer visit to East Sussex, then there are plenty of other nearby attractions that are also worth a visit, which can easily be combined with a trip to Rye. Below, I have outlined my top recommendations, including a larger city, a seaside town, and a castle, so you have a little bit of everything. 🥰 

Canterbury

Canterbury is one of my favorite cities in England, so I couldn’t help but recommend it first! Although it is located in Kent, it is super close to Rye and easy to visit by public transport. From Rye, take the train to Ashford International and then take the Southeastern train to Margate and get off at Canterbury West. The journey should take around 40 minutes in total. 

There are a lot of things to do in Canterbury, but the main attractions can be seen in a few hours! Some of the must-see places in Canterbury are the Westgate Gardens, Westgate Towers, Butchery Lane, Mercery Lane, and Sun Street. 

Hastings

Combining a visit to Rye with Hastings is super easy, as Hastings is just a quick 20-minute train ride away. From Rye, take the Southern train either towards Eastbourne or Hastings, getting off at Hastings. From the train station, it takes around 20 minutes to walk to the Old Town, which is where I recommend you spend most of your time. Some of the best things to do in Hastings include riding the East Hill Cliff Railway and enjoying a stunning view of the Old Town from Beacon Hill. Besides that, make sure to explore the beach and get lost among the charming old streets!

Bodiam Castle

The Bodiam Castle is a 14th-century moated castle in East Sussex, which is quite unique in comparison to most castles in England! The castle is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00, and online booking isn’t usually necessary. Entrance costs around £13 for adults and £6.5 for children between 5 and 17 years old, although prices are subject to changes based on seasons. For all history lovers this would be a great spot to combine with a strip to Rye. It takes about half an hour to drive to Bodiam Castle from Rye. If you are visiting by public transport, then it’s a little harder to reach, but still definitely doable. You will have to take the train to Hastings first, then take bus number 349 towards The Moor for 40 minutes, getting off at Castle Inn.  

FAQs about visiting Rye

Is Rye worth a day trip?

Yes, Rye is absolutely worth a day trip, especially if you’re visiting from London or exploring East Sussex. This charming medieval town is known for its cobbled streets, historic landmarks, and scenic coastal surroundings. With highlights like Mermaid Street, Rye Castle, and nearby Camber Sands, there are plenty of things to do in Rye to fill a full day. Its compact size also makes it easy to explore, making Rye one of the best day trips in Southeast England.