Marshlink Places to Visit in Rye

Welcome to the Marshlink Line, here you will find a list of places to visit along the line, with reviews and offers to help you make your visit along the line memorable and encourage you to return to this wonderful area.

The Marshlink Line provides a wonderful way to visit the area with Southern Railway in a comfortable and sustainable way.  Take a look at Southern Railways latest travel offers and visit some great locations today.

• Rye

Rye railway station serves Rye in East Sussex, England. It is on the Marshlink Line 18 km (11¼ miles) east of Hastings providing a passing place between two single track sections. Train services are provided by Southern. The staggered platforms are linked by footbridge.

Rye is a small town in East Sussex, England, which stands approximately two miles from the open sea and is at the confluence of three rivers: the Rother, the Tillingham and the Brede. In medieval times, however, as an important member of the Cinque Ports confederation, it was at the head of an embayment of the English Channel and almost entirely surrounded by the sea.

Rye is officially a civil parish but with its historic roots has the status of a town. Those historic roots and its charm make it a tourist destination, and much of its economy is based on that: there are a number of hotels, guest houses, B&Bs, tea rooms and restaurants, as well as other attractions, catering for the visitor. There is a small fishing fleet, and Rye Harbour has facilities for yachts and other vessels.

A known demonym for the people who live in the town is 'Ryers'.  

Rye is a local commercial centre for the Romney Marsh and Walland Marsh area as well as being a tourist spot. Rye Farmers' Market takes place on Strand Quay every Wednesday morning. Rye has a well-established reputation as a centre for shops trading antiques, collectors' books and records, and has many art galleries selling works by local artists and potters with changing exhibitions throughout the year.  Rye's general weekly market takes place on the marketplace car park by the station every Thursday.

Rye Castle Museum is located on two sites, in East Street and at the Ypres Castle. One of the tourist websites includes a picture tour of the town Rye Art Gallery was established as a Trust in the early 1960s. Located at 107 High Street it provides a focus for contemporary visual art, which it exhibits alongside heritage artworks from its Permanent Collection.

Rye also stands at the centre of a network of nature reserves, some of national importance. The Rye Harbour SSSI lies to the south and includes the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. The neighbouring Pett Levels and Pools, and the Pannel Valley nature reserve are accessible via Winchelsea and Winchelsea Beach a few miles to the west, whilst Scotney Lake lies just off the Lydd road and the RSPB reserve at Dungeness lies a few miles further to the east with the Bird Observatory located in the old lighthouse.

The Camber Castle walk, which can be started from the station, takes in 1 of the reserves as you walk the VERY EASY graded 4.5 miles to the Castle and back. See http://maps.eastsussex.gov.uk/pathstoprosperity/ for full details. 

Every year in September Rye hosts its annual two-week "Arts Festival" which attracts a world-class series of performers in music, comedy and literature

On the second Saturday after November 5 the "Bonfire Boys" stage their annual torch-lit parade through the streets of the town, supported by visiting Bonfire Societies from all over the Sussex Bonfire Societies Confederation. This is followed by a "gurt 'normous bonfire" where the chosen "effigy" of the year is ceremoniously blown-up, and a spectacular firework display. This event typically attracts over 10,000 visitors to the town, and results in the town's roads, and the main roads to London, Hastings and Ashford, being clogged up and closed to traffic from the early evening onwards.

Rye also offers excellent opportunities to visit Camber, famous for its beach, and the local villages around it. Take the Stagecoach Bus route 100 from just outside the station. The train meets the bus in the Hastings direction.  

See www.stagecoachbus.com for full details. 

     To find out more about Rye Bay click on the picture below or on the Rye Guide

Other great places to visit along the line are

• Ashford
• Ham Street
• Appledore
• Rye
• Winchelsea
• Doleham
• Three Oaks
• Ore Tunnel
• Hastings

From Rye you can also take the bus (344) from right out side the station to the lane which leads to Great Dixter House & Gardens - awarded best in Britain by Countryfiles' magazine in 2012. Check their website for details www.greatdixter.co.uk 

If you visit one of these locations and would like to send us a review we can share your experiences with others.