Rye Castle (Ypres Tower)
East Sussex, England
Key facts
- Operator
- Rye Castle Museum
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Nearest station
- Rye, 0.3 miles (straight-line)
Pinpoint
Gungarden, Rye TN31 7HE
Telephone 01797 226728
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
A 13th-century tower turned town museum, one of the oldest buildings in Rye still standing largely intact. It's a small site - three floors including the former women's tower - but reviewers say it earns its modest entry fee, especially combined with a wander through Rye's medieval streets.
Worth the trip
The view from the tower over Rye's rooftops and out towards the coast, a reward for a very compact visit.
Before you go
The cannon gardens alongside the tower are free to enter even if you skip the museum itself, so it's worth a look even on a tight budget.
Reviewers consistently describe Ypres Tower as small but well worth the modest entry fee, with several particularly enjoying the views from the top floor and the site's history as a former jail. Multiple reviews also praise Rye itself as a picturesque backdrop to the visit. No recurring criticisms appear in this set.
13thC tower museum, open year-round
“A small ex jail tower which is open to the public. Small and cosy, for a jail... Or gaol, as it might have been. The cannon gardens are free if money is tight.”- Stephen Hunt, visitor review
Common questions about Rye Castle (Ypres Tower)
Where is Rye Castle (Ypres Tower)?
Rye Castle (Ypres Tower) is in East Sussex, England, at Gungarden, Rye TN31 7HE.
Do you need a ticket to visit Rye Castle (Ypres Tower)?
Yes - Rye Castle (Ypres Tower) is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by Rye Castle Museum. Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
What is the highlight of visiting Rye Castle (Ypres Tower)?
The view from the tower over Rye's rooftops and out towards the coast, a reward for a very compact visit.
Is Rye Castle (Ypres Tower) a ruin or still intact?
Rye Castle (Ypres Tower) is largely intact - 13thC tower museum, open year-round.
