Sunset at Rye

About an hour from us here in Kent is the lovely old Town of Rye, which is in East Sussex.

Several hundred years ago it was nearer the sea but today it is a few miles inland with river access to the English Channel.

We love to walk round Rye’s quaint streets and buildings and enjoy afternoon tea or lunch there.

Thus it is no surprise that I seem to have painted quite a few watercolours of the Town and the area, some of which I have sold to other folk who also love the town of Rye.

So here are some of my watercolours for you to look at. If you haven’t visited Rye then do so in the future but  if like us it is a place that you too enjoy then I hope these paintings will have good memories for you.

The skyline of Rye on it’s small hill fascinates me and  the views, from a few different vantage points have been the subject of quite a few paintings.

Here are some.

Storm over Rye

Winter’s afternoon at Rye

Walkers in the snow

Winter evening at Rye

The Town was once surrounded by a wall and the main entrance to the Town goes through the Landgate. 

Here are two painting of that scene, one with some chap like me painting, and another on a snowy day. Unless you are up very early the scene today is spoilt by parked cars, but somehow I managed not to include them!

Inside the oldest part of Rye you will find Mermaid Street with the very old Mermaid Inn. Even if you are not staying there or eating at it do go in and look around. It is quite amazing and the sign outside says “Rebuilt in 1407”. This Inn, once a smugglers haunt is show in this next painting.

The Mermaid in in Mermaid Street, Rye.

Walk down Mermaid street on the old cobbles and read the names of the houses, they too are very intesting.

Rye has an old Castle ,Ypres Tower, with a museum, and a fine Norman Church of St Mary’s. The keen visitor can go to the top of the Church Tower for fine views of the Town and the countryside.

Next to the Church is The Old Vicarage, a lovely old building next to the fascinating Graveyard. Around you are many old and delightful houses and nearby is Lamb house that Henry James once owned, and which can be visited on some days.

Here is The Old Vicarage

There is so much to see you may never leave, but if you do then drive out of the town towards Wichelsea which is another wonderful old Town to visit. On the way you can , if you feel energetic enough, walk to Camber Castle which is  nowadays isolated in the fields near Rye. Built in the time of Henry VIII its ruins are interesting and afford more views back towards Rye, as seen in this painting.

Rye in the distance at Camber Castle.

The whole area of East Sussex is very interesting with big sandy beaches at Camber Sands and the Military Canal leading to Hythe, and awealth of history round every corner. I hope you will enjoy these paintings.

Happy travelling

Brian