Camber Castle
Rye, Coast
Image: English HeritageAn unusually unaltered artillery fort built by Henry VIII to guard the port of Rye, now standing in open grazing land between Rye and Winchelsea. The walk out across Rye Harbour Nature Reserve is half the appeal.
Highlights
- Henry VIII artillery fort
- Circular walks through Rye Harbour Nature Reserve
- Birdwatching from nearby hides
- Martello tower and wartime pillboxes along the way
Good to know
- Dogs on leads are welcome
- Smoking, barbecues and naked flames are not allowed
Getting there
Camber Castle, Off Harbour Road, Rye, East Sussex, TN36 4AZParking: No vehicle access. The nearest car park is on Winchelsea Road in Rye, about a mile away (not run by English Heritage).
Get directionsChecked on 15 October 2026 against english-heritage.org.uk. Details change, so please confirm with the venue before you travel. How we check
Nearby
Image: Rye CastleRye Castle Museum and Ypres Tower
Climb Ypres Tower, Rye's oldest landmark, for views over the rooftops, Romney Marsh and the sea, with three floors of displays on the way. Look into the old prison cells and Women's Tower, then wander the medieval herb garden and the gun garden among the cannons.
Image: National TrustLamb House
A red-brick Georgian house at the top of West Street in Rye, home to the novelists Henry James and later E.F. Benson. Behind it lies one of the largest walled gardens in the old town.
Image: Sussex Wildlife TrustRye Harbour Nature Reserve
A big-sky coastal reserve of shingle, saltmarsh and lagoons where Sussex Wildlife Trust has five bird hides and miles of flat paths. Start at the Discovery Centre and café, then walk out towards the river mouth or Camber Castle.