Rye, East Sussex - Definition

Rye is a small town in East Sussex, England, on the edge of the Romney Marsh. Originally a port, it was added to the Cinque Ports, but is now inland as the marshes have been drained.

Notable buildings in the town include St Mary's church, the Ypres Tower and many of those on Mermaid Street. Famous residents have included authors Henry James, E.F. Benson, and Margaret Rumer Godden, all of whom at different times inhabited Lamb House, one of the city's historic residences. The house and the town figure prominently in several of Benson's novels.

Rye has a railway station on the Hastings to Ashford line. It was also the terminus for the pre-WWII Rye & Camber Tramway, built to serve golf courses and Camber Sands, a tourist beach.

External links

• Rye Tourism site (http://www.rye-tourism.co.uk/)
• Rye pictures & information (http://www.picturesofengland.com/Rye)
• National Trust Lamb House site (http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/scripts/nthandbook.dll?ACTION=PROPERTY&PROPERTYID=107)
• Brief Benson biography (http://www.rye-tourism.co.uk/efbenson/index.htm)
• Rumer Godden obituary (http://www.powell-pressburger.org/Obits/Godden/Telegraph.html)
• Rye & Camber Tramway (http://www.hfstephens-museum.org.uk/pages/his_railways/ryecamb.htm)