Rye Harbour Nature Reserve – Wildlife, Walks & Big Sky Views

Just a short drive from One Church Square, Rye Harbour Nature Reserve is one of the best places to stretch your legs and soak up some nature. Run by the Sussex Wildlife Trust, it’s considered the jewel in the crown of their reserves.

It’s a true wildlife hotspot, with over 280 bird species recorded, including the striking Avocets, often seen nesting in the lagoons and mudflats. Flat, accessible trails wind through saltmarsh, shingle, and wetlands, leading out to the sea. It’s about a one-mile walk to the beach from the main car park, with huge skies and wide views all the way.

Start at the Discovery Centre, which has panoramic windows over the reserve, interactive exhibits, and a café serving cakes, coffee, and light lunches.

If you hire bikes locally in Rye Harbour, you can follow the trail along the seafront, through the reserve, and all the way to Pett Level – a brilliant coastal ride packed with birdlife, sea air, and wide-open views.

📍 Rye Harbour, TN31 7TX. 🌐 Visit Website

🕗 Opening hours: Reserve open daily year-round 

Discovery Centre: 10:00am–4:00pm daily

Rye Heritage Centre – The Story of Rye in Miniature

Just a short stroll from One Church Square, the Rye Heritage Centre is a great way to get your bearings and dive into the town’s long, layered history. Housed in a former 19th-century sail loft on Strand Quay, it’s home to the brilliant ‘Story of Rye’ – a 20-minute sound and light show built around a detailed 1:100 scale model of Victorian Rye.

It’s immersive, charming, and unexpectedly memorable – even Es Devlin, the world-renowned artist & stage designer, credits it as a childhood inspiration.

📍 The Old Sail Loft, Strand Quay, Rye, TN31 7AY

🕗 Opening hours: Tues–Sat: 10:30am–4:30pm | Closed Sun & Mon
🌐 Visit Website

Kino Rye – Your Cosy Local Cinema

Just around the corner from One Church Square – quite literally a stone’s throw away. It’s our brilliant little local cinema: small, stylish, and surprisingly luxurious, with plush seating and a well-curated mix of independent films, new releases, and live event screenings.

There’s also a lovely café bar serving great coffee, wine, snacks, and sweet treats – plus a quiet courtyard garden if the sun’s out. Whether you’re escaping the rain or planning a relaxed evening out, Kino is always a good call.

📍 Lion Street, Rye, TN31 7LB  🌐 Visit Website

💡 Tip: You can bring your drink into the screening with you.

The Rye Bookshop – A Little Literary Gem

Tucked away on the High Street, just a few minutes from the house, The Rye Bookshop is a lovely spot to browse on a slow morning. It’s technically part of Waterstones, but it still feels like an independent shop – with a carefully chosen mix of bestsellers, local titles, children’s books, and thoughtful gifts.

The staff know their stuff and the whole place has a quiet, welcoming charm. Great for picking up a beach read, something for the kids, or just a good reason to linger a little longer in town.

📍 25 High Street, Rye, TN31 7JF 

🕗 Opening hours: Mon–Sat: 9:30am–5:30pm Sunday: 10:00am–4:30pm

WiDEYE – Natural Skincare & Wellness

Just down the High Street from One Church Square, WiDEYE is a beautiful little shop full of handmade, plant-based skincare and wellness products. From bath bombs and essential oils to face creams and soaps, everything’s crafted with natural ingredients – no parabens, no synthetic fragrances, just good stuff.
Downstairs, there’s a peaceful treatment room where you can book in for massages, facials, and body treatments inspired by global wellness traditions. A great place to pick up gifts, treat yourself, or just take a breather while exploring Rye.

📍 113 High Street, Rye, TN31 7JE.     🌐 Visit Website 

🕗 Opening hours: Mon–Sat: 10:00am–5:00pm. Sunday: 11:00am–4:00pm

Rye Watersports – Coastal Adventure Just Outside Town

Just a 5-minute drive from One Church Square, Rye Watersports is a brilliant spot for some fun on the water. Set beside a quiet coastal lake near Camber, they offer paddleboard and kayak hire, plus sailing boats if you’ve got an RYA certificate. Lessons are available too, whether you’re starting out or just brushing up.It’s a great shout for families, couples, or anyone looking for something a bit different – you can get out on the water or simply relax and watch from the shore. New for this year is their Aqua Park – a huge inflatable course on the lake that’s great fun for kids (and grown-ups who don’t mind getting soaked).

📍 Northpoint Water, Camber Road, Rye, TN31 7QS. 🌐 Visit Website

The Other Record Shop – Vinyl & Vibes in the Passage

Tucked away in Rye’s historic Needles Passage, just off The Mint, The Other Record Shop is a proper hidden gem. Follow the LP-shaped sign and head down the alley to find a cosy little space packed with new and second-hand vinyl, CDs, books, and posters – all neatly displayed in handmade wooden racks.

Run by Henry Tragett, the collection spans punk, soul, reggae, funk and more, with the occasional rare find tucked in from some well-known collections. It’s a great spot to browse, discover something unexpected, and chat all things music.

📍 Needles Passage, just off The Mint, Rye

🕗 Opening hours can vary – best to check their Instagram for updates

Tibbs Farm – Pick-Your-Own & Valley Views

Just five minutes from Rye, Tibbs Farm is a brilliant countryside stop – especially in the summer months. There’s pick-your-own fruit (strawberries, tayberries, raspberries and more), space for the kids to roam, and a café that’s become a bit of a local favourite.

Set high above the Tillingham Valley, the café looks out over classic hop gardens and rolling fields. They serve farm-to-fork food, including proper bacon rolls, cakes, and – in summer – their  homemade ice cream, famous with the locals  has freshly blended  fruit picked straight from the farm. Simple, local, and seriously good.

📍 Udimore Road, Rye, TN31 6AR.  🌐 Visit Website

Bodiam Boating Station – River Adventures & Riverside Lunches

Set in the historic village of Newenden – thought to be the site of the earliest recorded reference to a cricket-like game in England – Bodiam Boating Station is a lovely riverside spot for a slow day out or a bit of outdoor fun.

You can take a peaceful river cruise to the spectacular Bodiam Castle, or hire kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, or rowing boats if you’re up for something more active on the water.

Right next door is the Lime Wharf Café – a great place to refuel with a laid-back menu of breakfasts, lunches, and afternoon teas, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. In the warmer months, the garden is a great place to sit and watch the world go by – with steam trains from the Kent & East Sussex Railway often passing in the distance.

📍 Newenden, TN18 5PP. 🌐 Visit Website

🕗 Opening hours: Check website for seasonal opening times and bookings

Northiam Station – Step Back in Time by Steam

Originally opened in 1900, Northiam Station is a beautifully restored stop on the Kent & East Sussex Railway, nestled between Tenterden and Bodiam. It offers a nostalgic way to travel through the Rother Valley aboard vintage steam and diesel trains. Whether you’re a railway enthusiast or just in the mood for a slower pace, it’s a lovely outing – especially when paired with a visit to nearby Bodiam Castle or a riverside walk.

📍 Northiam Station, Station Road, Northiam, TN31 6QT 🌐 Visit Website

🕗 Train times and opening hours vary – check website for current schedule

Bodiam Castle – A Fairytale Fortress

Just a short drive from Rye, Bodiam Castle is a picture-perfect 14th-century moated fortress that looks like it’s been lifted straight from the pages of a storybook. Built in 1385 to defend the realm and impress the neighbours, it’s now one of the most iconic medieval ruins in the country.

Cross the wooden bridge, wander the grounds, and climb the towers for sweeping views of the surrounding countryside. It’s a great family day out, especially when paired with a river trip or steam train ride.

📍 Bodiam, Robertsbridge, TN32 5UA. 🌐 Visit Website

Winchelsea Town Trail

Step into history with a self-guided walk through one of England’s best-preserved medieval towns. Explore ancient gates, St Thomas’ Church, and the remnants of a once-thriving port. The trail offers panoramic views over the Brede Valley and the sea, making it a must for history buffs and casual walkers alike.

📍 Start at Winchelsea Town Centre

🕓 Open year-round 📄 Visitor Map PDF.     🌐 winchelsea.com