Rye Bay is nestled in the scenic county of East Sussex. Covering some 91 square kilometres of fantastic views, there is more than ample reason to visit Rye Bay.
Miles of unspoilt coastline adjoin Rye Bay (visit Camber Sands; the only sand dunes in the county for a proper Sussex sea-side day out!) but there is also some breathtakingly beautiful countryside to enjoy on a visit. Rye Bay’s expanse stretches into the High Weald, which has been awarded the prestigious title of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Rye Bay also has many points of historical interest (particularly regarding shipping and nautical affairs) and is home to many protected spaces, such as eight Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI’s, which have now been joined to form one enormous SSSI) dotted throughout the area that simply demand a visit. Rye Bay’s incredibly diverse topography means that is can support a whole host of interesting wildlife; for example, the Salt Marshes at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve are home to rare plant-life and nearby woodland in Winchelsea and Peasmarsh supports wild flowers, birds and also mammals such as Deer and Wild Boar.
Rye Bay’s coastline has changed significantly and this history has left military defences such as the Napoleonic defences of Martello Towers, the Royal Military Canal and Henry VIII’s Camber Castle.
The Rye Bay area boasts an impressive array of friendly pubs and restaurants, as well as brilliant independent shops; there are local bakeries and butchers scattered around in the area as well as art galleries, antique & jewellery shops and clothes boutiques. For those who prefer a more active trip, there is a wealth of excellent bridleways, cycle paths and walks.
Of course, a visit to Rye Bay wouldn’t be complete without sampling some locally caught fish; the area is particularly renowned for its exquisite scallops, which are celebrated at a weeklong festival in mid-February in the surrounding villages and towns.
