Rye Castle Museum

Our Links list was growing so long we have just moved it to a separate page. We’ve also hinted at the kinds of things you will find on each site and each place.  There’s some really interesting and useful information at each of them so do spend time exploring.

• A Pocketful of Rye
  In addition to tourist information–attractions, eating out, creative Rye and historic Rye, this site provides details of the set of themed and illustrated pocket guides to aspects of Rye produced by the team of  RyeEye (see below).   The pack of four guides is presented in an A6 plastic wallet which fits neatly in a bag or pocket.  Each pack contains four very attractive and useful guides.
• Battle Museum
  Set within a beautiful walled garden which surrounds an Elizaethan Almonry, this museum presents a sampling of Battle’s rich history from dinosaurs to Neolithic Man to the Battle of Hastings to local industries to Guy Fawkes to WWII through artefacts, photographs and archives.
• Bexhill Museum
  Newly refurbished and extended, the main galleries include Costume and Motor Racing heritage as well as local archaeology and history, dinosaurs and fossils, natural history and geology, social history and cultures of other lands, local arts and crafts. The history of Bexhill ranges from earliest days through medieval village, smuggling, Napoleonic barrack town, Victorian/Edwardian resort and the birthplace of British motor racing in 1902.There are Interactive displays and an Access Centre for research.
• Fishermans’ Museum Hastings
  One of Hastings; most popular attractions, this is housed within an old church and features one of the last luggers (sailing fishing boats) plus models, photos, paintings and all kinds of  fishing artefacts.  You can tie in this visit with one to the Shipwreck Museum (see below) and if you have another day, the Blue Reef Aquarium.
  
• Fletcher’s Theatre
  Fletcher Productions was set up to bring cultural productions to Rye, especially those which celebrate the links with Jacobean playwright John Fletcher, born in Rye in 1579.  Fletcher was a contemporary of Shakespeare, whose fame he rivalled in his day.  There are plans for a new theatre within the former Further Education Centre on Lion Street currently being won back for Rye.
  
• National Trust Rye and Winchelsea branch
  An active programme of events, organised visits, monthly talks, walks  and other activities for members’ enjoyment as well as to further the work of the National Trust.
• Pontins, Camber Sands
  This holiday park offers a swimming pool, restaurants, live entertainment and many family activities including mini golf, go-carts, crafts, climbing, sports and dance.
• Romney Marsh Research Trust
  Since 1987 members of the Trust have been studying the many-sided history, archaeology and landscape history of Romney Marsh, Members include members of the public as well as local historians and archaeologists and specialists from universities throughout the UK.  Members can attend field demonstrations, lectures and walks and research is available through newsletter, journals and a range of books.
• Romney Marsh Times
  Essential news, jobs & entertainment for Romney Marsh, Dungeness, Folkestone, Hythe, Ashford, Dover & SE Kent. There are facts, history, photos and book reviews related to the Marsh.
• Rye and District Camera Club
  This friendly club, established in 1956,  encourages people from all walks of life to further their photographic interest in a friendly and informal manne.  There are regular meetings and exhibitions, competitions, guest speakers, tutorials . . .
• Rye and District Royal British Legion
  Formed in the 1920’s, this organisation has a full programme of meetings and support for anyone who has served in the Armed Forces. Especially useful for those interested in local and family history is the genealogical information on those in the Rye area who sacrificed their lives in service.
  
• Rye Art Gallery
  Standing in the heart of the ancient town of Rye, two historic buildings, now joined (and recipient of a Sussex Heritage Architectural Award) house works of regional and national importance. There are regular talks and exhibitions, a recent example being a John Ryan (Captain Pugwash) retrospective.
  
• Rye Audio Tour
  You can download an audio tour for the medieval town of Rye for just 2.99 to play on your iPhone, iPod, mobile telephone or other portable mp3 playing device.
• Rye Conservation Society
  The Society exists to safeguard the historic town of Rye and to preserve its special and distinctive character. Besides organising events and excursionss it reviews local planning applications,provides a forum for discussing issues impacting on the local environment, raises awareness of environmental issues, provides information and advice on the maintenance and repair of listed and non-listed buildings and gives annual Townscape Awards for outstanding examples of design and conservation.
  
• Rye Eye
  This site emphasizes the creative, literary and historic aspects of the town, besides offering sound guidance on festivals, accommodation, fine dining and independent shops. There are guides and a downloadable map.  For those interested in the heritage,  history and culture of the area, the sections on Heritage Rye, Literary Rye, Film, Drama and Music and the Artists’ Gallery can be especially recommended.
• Rye Harbour Image Library 
  Managed by Rye Harbour Heritage,  this site contains images and anecdotes about the area –some 300 pictures and 175 comments.
• Rye Heritage Centre
  The Rye Heritage and  Information Centre provides an ideal introduction to the town bringing together the story of Rye set within the famous Rye Town Model sound and light show. Historic and Ghost Audio Walking Tours are available for hire and there are scheduled guided walks. The Heritage Centre is host to a working collection of Old Pier amusement machines, and has a variety of gifts, books and maps. The experienced and knowledgable staff provide local information on places to visit and things to do in and around the town and also offer a local accomodation booking service.
• Rye, Sussex  Probably the longest running and busiest town website. It is essentially the same  as  Visit Rye (see below) but includes unaccredited accommodation as well as officially accredited places to stay.  It provides up-to-date information for visitors looking to stay, eat, shop and explore the  one time Cinque Port , keeping abreast with what’s on and what’s new in Rye. Besides some excellent photos there is a downloadale town map for finding one’s way around Rye  on foot.
• Seaford Museum
  Seaford Museum, housed in Martello Tower no.74 on the seafront, records Seaford’s long history from prehistoric times through its days as a Cinque Port  to the present day. There are  the contents o old shops– toy, chemist, ironmonger and photographer’s  as well as  a Victorian schoolroom and kitchen and a wartime kitchen, collections of early domestic appliances and office machinery and a particularly large collection of radios and television sets. There is a working model of Seaford railway station in 1926, wartime memorabilia, ships’ figureheads, information on shipwrecks in the area and the changing coast including a video of the most recent sea defence work. The Museum also has a reference archive of pictures, articles etc. and a register of houses in the town.  
• Shipwreck Museum Hastings
  Wrecks of 17th and 18th century vessels cwhich foundered along this coast come complete with stories of storm, mutiny, treasure and plunder. The dinosaur world of 138 million years ago comes alive with fossils and footprints. Visitors get a chance  to handle objects and also to take a look at the future when sea lvels have risen. There are  audio- visual shows in a specially designed theatre, talks, workshops, advice and more.
• Visit Rye
  This is the official tourist and local business website for Rye, East Sussex, championing the town and surrounding area as a top class visitor destination.  (An alternative address is Rye Sussex.). Its content is managed by the Rye Marketing Group of the Rye and District Chamber of Commerce under contract with Rother District Council. There is a downloadale town map for finding one’s way around Rye  on foot and there are  also some excellent photos.
• Waterscape This is the British Waterways leisure website. It is packed with information about things to do and places to visit not only on and around the British Waterways network but on other rivers, canals, lakes and reservoirs. You can get specific information on your own area (e.g. Sussex, Kent). Features include history and heritage articles.
• Wild Rye
  This is the site for discovering the wetland wildlife of the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve at any time of the year. There are regular rambles and wildlife events  and the site keeps up to date with sightings of birds.
• Winchelsea
  The ‘Antient Town of Winchelsea’ isWinchelsea is Rye’s sister ‘antient town’ and member of the Cinque Ports Federation and the history section of the site is especially interesting. There is also access to events,maps and images as well as the Court Hall Museum whose exhibits include maps, models, pictures, seals, local pottery and items of daily life from the area. One of the most noteworthy features is the list of Mayors of Winchelsea shown on a series of oak boards.  It is  complete from 1430 and partially complete from 1295 when Mayors first replaced the King’s Bailiffs.