Rye Castle Museum, also known as 'Ypres Tower', in the beautiful maritime town of Rye, occupies a commanding position overlooking what centuries ago was the busy port of Rye.
The castle is the town's oldest building. In the 15th-century it was a defence post known as Baddings Tower. The building was sold in 1430 to John de Ypres in order to raise money.
These days within its ancient walls visitors can learn of the rich Maritime history of Rye, about its people throughout the various centuries, and of Rye as a Cinque Port.
It tells about smuggling and shipwreck, of farming and the local countryside, through a series of displays, exhibits and objects that are combined to help visitors understand how Rye came to be the historic town it is today, and why it was once one of England's leading ports.
Here you will also learn the history of the castle building, for this too, has a fascinating past. It went from being a defence post to a private dwelling, and has been used as both a prison and a mortuary before becoming the town's museum.
The castle's sister museum is situated in an old bottling factory at Nr 3, East Street. In this building you can see the town's 18th-century fire engine, Maritime exhibits, learn all about Rye during the war years, see Cinque Port Regalia, and much more.
Both of these museums are well worth a visit, they are lively, informative, and grip the imagination of young and old alike.
a Seaside Town in the county of East Sussex
(0.0 miles, 0.0 km)Rye is a picturesque and historic town with cobbled streets, medieval architecture, and panoramic views of the surrounding countryside...
a Historic Market Town in the county of East Sussex
(2.2 miles, 3.6 km, direction SW)This is a pretty, busy little town tucked along a ridge overlooking Pett Level...
a Seaside Town in the county of East Sussex
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a Seaside Town in the county of East Sussex
(9.7 miles, 15.7 km, direction SW)Hastings is an old fishing town along the southern coast of England. It offers all the traditional amusements of the seaside but retains much of the character of its colourful past...
in the county of East Sussex
(11.2 miles, 18.0 km, direction W)Battle is a unique town in the county of Sussex built on the very site where William the Conqueror defeated king Harold of England and his Saxon army in 'The Battle of Hastings' in 1066...
All towns in East Sussex
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