Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
3 East St., Rye
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01797/226728.
www.ryemuseum.co.uk. Museum £2.50 adults, £2 students and
seniors, free for children 15 and under; Ypres Tower £3 adults, £2.50 students and seniors, free for
children 15 and under; combined ticket £5/£4. Museum Apr-Oct Sat-Sun and holidays 10:30am-5pm;
Ypres Tower Apr-Oct daily 10:30am-5pm, Nov-Mar 10:30am-3:30pm.
St. Mary's Parish Church
CHURCH The 12th-century church has a 16th-cen-
tury clock flanked by gilded cherubs (known as Quarter Boys because of their striking
of the bells on the quarter-hour). The church is often called the “Cathedral of East
Sussex,” owing to its size and ornate beauty. If you're energetic you can climb the
wooden stairs and ladders up the bell tower for an impressive view.
Church Square, Rye.
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01797/224935.
www.ryeparishchurch.org.uk. Tower £2 adults, £1 children 7-16
(1 free child per adult). Church free admission (contributions appreciated). June-Aug daily 9:15am-
5:15pm; until 4:15pm rest of the year.
Smallhythe Place
HISTORIC HOME This was for 30 years the country
house of Dame Ellen Terry, the English actress acclaimed for her Shakespearean
roles, who had a long theatrical association with Sir Henry Irving. She died in the
house, on the outskirts of Winchelsea, in 1928. Its timber-framed structure, known
as a “continuous-jetty house,” was built in the early 16th century and is filled with
Terry memorabilia—playbills, props, makeup, and a striking display of costumes. An
Elizabethan barn, adapted as a theatre in 1929, is open most days.
Smallhythe (on the B2082 near Tenterden, about 6 miles north of Rye).
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01580/762334.
www.
nationaltrust.org.uk. Admission £5.80 adults, £3.15 children 5-15, £15 family ticket. Late-Feb-Oct Sat-
Wed 11am-5pm, Dec Sat-Sun noon-3pm. Closed Nov and Jan-mid-Feb. Take bus no. 312 from Tenter-
den or Rye.
Where to Eat
Landgate Bistro
MODERN ENGLISH A very modern restaurant sits inside a
pair of Georgian cottages. This is a haven of local produce and everything is home-
made, from the soda and sourdough bread to the ice cream. Seasonal starters include
fresh local crab and gruyere tart, or turbot and Rye Bay scallops with back bacon and
sherry and shallot sauce. There's always a selection of fresh fish (Dover sole, sea bass,
gurnard, turbot) plus local meat dishes such as Romney Marsh lamb with French
beans and gratin potatoes. There is also a set lunch (£13 for 2 courses, £16 for three
courses).
5-6 Landgate, Rye.
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01797/222829.
www.landgatebistro.co.uk. Reservations required on Sat-Sun.
Main courses £10-£15 lunch, £13-£19 dinner. AE, DC, MC, V. Wed-Fri 7-10pm, Sat noon-3pm and
7-10pm, Sun noon-3pm.
Where to Stay
Bannatyne Spa Hotel
It might sound big and modern, but this is a small
country-house hotel between the seaside towns of Hastings and Battle with their
1066 attractions. Originally the private estate of General Murray, former governor of
Quebec, the building was destroyed by fire in 1923 but rebuilt so that you wouldn't
know the difference. Many of the rooms (most smartly modern, but some with four-
posters) have views of the beautiful gardens. There's free use of the spa with its
outdoor hot tubs. The
Conservatory restaurant
(main courses £11-£24) is good for
steaks from local farms.
Battle Rd. (A2100), Hastings, East Sussex TN38 8EA. www.bannatyne.co.uk.
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01424/851222.
Fax
01424/852465. 41 units. £95-£130 double; £150-£170 suite. Rates include English breakfast. AE, DC, MC,
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