The best things to do in Rye with kids

One of the prettiest towns in the UK, I could wander the historic streets of Rye for hours – but if staring at picturesque buildings doesn’t top your children’s lists, there are still plenty of things to do in Rye with kids.

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I’ve visited more than once with my daughter, including a preschool escape to East Sussex and a weekend in Camber Sands – as it’s only 10 minutes from the beach at Camber Sands, it’s perfect to combine with a day at the seaside too.

And with history galore and plenty of treats to discover along the way, you can easily fill a weekend break or plan a fun day out in Rye with kids – these are some of my own favourites.

Wander the historic streets

Rye is just so very very pretty that you can’t miss out on strolling around the town, looking for some of the most picturesque spots – and there are plenty to choose from.

If your kids need more incentive to get out and walking, check out the Rye Murder Mystery Treasure Trail. Covering around a mile, and taking about 90 minutes (though you can go at your own pace), you need to spot the clues in the former Cinque Port town to solve the mystery.

They’re always a fun way to keep kids engaged: with or without this, there are some unusual details to spot.

Look out for the quirkily named house with two front doors and the house with the seat on Rye’s most famous cobbled hill, Mermaid Street.

It’s also home to the Mermaid Inn, which was rebuilt in 1420, its cellars date back to 1156. Believed to be haunted, you can bypass the ghosts and spot the mermaid sign instead (as well as snapping a few shots of probably the most photographed corner of Rye).

Keep your eyes peeled for ornate doorknockers, including more than a few lions, and plenty of timbered buildings lining the twisty lanes.

Older kids will love a bit of window shopping along the way: the bookshop has a great kids’ selection, but you’ll find all kinds of homewares and souvenirs to covet at independent shops like Ethel Loves Me.

Rye Castle Museum, Ypres Tower

Built in the 13th or 14th centuries, Rye Castle – also known as the Ypres Tower – has acted as line of defence and prison, before being converted into a little museum.

More of a little fortification than a sprawling castle, there’s a lot to discover inside Rye Castle Museum, with plenty of chances to get hands on for kids.

Head to the top to soak up some of the views out across the town and towards the water before working your way back down to the basement.

Along the way, you’ll find displays on Rye’s history, including its smuggling past, the chance to listen to traditional seafaring songs, and its importance as one of the Cinque Ports.

You can step inside one of the old cells, and find a skeleton swinging inside another (or bypass it, if your kids prefer!), while there’s also a section on medieval life, knights and warfare, where you can handle a sword and see how hard it was to draw the bowstring on a crossbow.

Its size means you don’t need to set aside a big chunk of your day to explore – an hour is plenty – and as kids are free (£5 for adults), it’s easy to swing by for a quick visit.

For more of the best castles in Sussex with kids, check out my top picks

Fire the cannon

Virtually, at least. Through the archway next to Rye Castle Museum, there are several cannon on the green, pointing out towards the sea.

And while you can’t actually prime the weapons with one of the cannonballs stacked in pyramids nearby, there’s nothing to stop you pretending to repel marauding invaders…

The church of St Mary’s

The pretty church of St Mary’s dates back to the 12th century, and walking the path past weathered gravestones towards the golden stone of the building, it feels supremely peaceful today.

But the church has seen far more dramatic events, including in 1377 when the town was looted and all but razed to the ground by French invaders, who made off with the church bells.

The following year, these were promptly taken back when men from Rye and Winchelsea crossed the channel to Normandy, and set fire to two towns there in retaliation – one hung in the aptly named Watchbell Street until the 16th century, to give warning of any future attack.

Today you can climb the Norman church tower to see the current bells, although none of the eight are the originals taken in the 14th century – there are some more fabulous views from the top though, right out towards Romney Marsh.

On a clear day, it’s said you can even see across to France. With narrow stairs, it’s not one if you’re visiting with young kids (or have vertigo).

Keep an eye out for the clock, installed in the 16th century and one of the oldest church turret clocks in the country still functioning.

Entry to the church is free but there’s a small charge to climb the tower.

The Landgate

The Landgate is the only surviving gate from Rye’s medieval fortifications, built in the 14th century on the orders of Edward III to help defend the port against invasion.

These days, you have to imagine the portcullis and drawbridge which would have protected the citizens of Rye (especially with cars driving through the narrow arch).

There’s still a chamber at the top of the gate between the two towers if you peer up, with stairs inside the arch – plus a plaque with some brief history – but you can’t go inside.

Rye Castle Museum, East Street

The sister site to Rye Castle Museum in the Ypres Tower, the East Street museum has more exhibitions on Rye’s history.

If you only have time for one, I’d definitely pick the Ypres Tower location, but there are some unusual exhibits to appeal to kids here too, especially the 18th century fire engine.

Some of the displays focus on Rye’s port history, including model ships and tools used in shipbuilding, but you can also see traditional pottery, an ancient town seal and hop tokens.

Entry is free for children, £5 for adults, and it closes during the winter months.

Indulge at Knoops

One iconic location that you can’t miss in Rye with kids has nothing to do with history.

Close the the Landgate, Knoops is famous for its chocolate, especially the hot chocolate – perfect if you’re exploring Rye on a rainy day (although frankly, any excuse to buy some).

There are more than 20 different types to choose from, from white and milk chocolate to higher percentage dark chocolate, and you can also go for iced chocolate, milkshakes and mochas, with vegan options available.

Or on sunny days, look out for the white chocolate ice cream, plus other treats to indulge during your family holiday.

Lamb House

You’ll spy several blue plaques as you wander round Rye, testament to the town’s literary links – and if you’re visiting Rye with teens, Lamb House was home to two authors, and is open to explore.

Both Henry James and EF Benson, author of the Mapp and Lucia stories, lived in the Georgian property, which has even hosted royalty, with George I staying there in 1726 after a storm drove his ship ashore.

As well as looking around inside, you can wander the colourful garden too (where you’ll also find the graves of the Henry James’s dogs).

Rye Heritage Centre

Check out the Rye Town Model in the Rye Heritage Centre, with a little sound and light show to whisk you through 700 years of Rye’s history – a fun way to get an overview before you head out into the town itself.

There’s also a Victorian Pier experience, with penny arcades (although these will cost you more than a penny, at £1 for seven old pennies) and the sounds and smell of the sea as you explore.

The Heritage Centre also runs guided walking tours of Rye, which are great with older kids. The Town Crier history walks usually take place on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturdays at 11am, and Friday at 2pm, priced £10 per person.

There are also other walks, including a Horror walk about Rye’s ghosts and smugglers, and other seasonal specials.

Rye Harbour

There’s a lovely network of paths around Rye Harbour, between the town itself and the beach at Camber Sands – separated by the River Rother, so you can’t cross over alas.

If you’re lucky you might even spot seals, but it’s a haven for birds, with almost 300 species recorded, and a great place for a stroll.

Start at the new Rye Harbour Discovery Centre to learn more about the area before heading out to explore.

You can spot the remains of Camber Castle, and there are tips on the wildlife highlights to be found each month in the series of different habitats too.

There’s a cafe at the Discovery Centre, or stop in at William the Conqueror pub.

Go for a bike ride

If we’re being picky, this isn’t in Rye itself – but with some lovely bike routes in the area, it’s a shame to miss out.

And the ‘Rye Ride‘ route starts from the town’s railway station, following a mainly flat traffic-free route across the River Rother and to the east, towards Camber and Lydd.

Along the way, you’ll pass a series of small lakes – if you’re lucky you might spot herons – before bringing you to the beach at Camber.

You can hire bikes at Rye Hire, not far from the station, including child seats and helmets, if you don’t have your own.

For more things to do in Sussex with kids, check out this post, along with things to do in Hastings and around Camber Sands

*First published 2021, last updated 2025*

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