Pictures of Playden

About Playden

Playden is situated just north of Rye. It is most noted for its beautiful Norman Church dedicated to St. Michael which dates from around 1190. The church is built of stone, with tiled roof and a spire topped by a cross that for centuries has been a landmark over Rye and Romney Marsh.

The church is mentioned in the Doomsday Book and is considered to be one of the finest examples of combined Norman and Early English style. The interior is light and airy with aisles to the north and south of the central tower. Amongst its historic features is a magnificent carved oak screen of great delicacy, it has seven bays and a band of decorated tracery and is believed to date from 1310. There is fine tracery to the windows, exquisite woodwork, and outside the peaceful churchyard you can see scattered graves and tombs from past centuries.

Playden lies in an area renowned for its fine oast houses, some of these have been converted to provide comfortable dwelling houses and hotels. The region is known for its miles of hop fields, for its close proximity to the coast, dazzling Rye harbour, Camber sands, its wildlife habitats in the valley of the River Rother, and for its wealth of interesting castles and country houses all within easy driving distance of the town. It therefore makes an ideal location for a romantic weekend, or to use as a base whilst exploring all that this lovely east Sussex area has to offer.