On The Ridge there is an eclectic mix of old railway carriages, chalets and 1930’s bungalows popular with many artists and musicians.
Winchelsea Beach
In total contrast, the land on the village side of the channel leading down to the seashore, is shingle and home to a vast nature reserve which borders the marshes around Camber Castle, as well as the new Discovery Centre run by Sussex Wildlife Trust with exhibition spaces, a classroom, a wildlife garden, and a highly rated café. Visitors and enthusiasts take up positions along this stretch hoping to catch a sight of the breeding and comings-and-goings of the birds that arrive in their thousands. There is nothing more magical than witnessing the gathering of red-capped goldfinches en route to sunnier climes.
For approximately four miles from the mouth of the harbour towards Fairlight, this expanse of shingle is about a quarter of the size of Chesel beach in Dorset. Separated by many intermittent lagoons and pools, the largest stretch of shingle is Nook Beach which is home to another former coastguard watch house called Watch Place. Looking at this tranquil landscape which is renowned for its flora and fauna, it is hard to imagine the prodigious amount of history it has witnessed over hundreds of years that has had such a profound effect on the protection of England.
This area mostly grew just before and after the second world war. On The Ridge there is an eclectic mix of old railway carriages, chalets and 1930’s bungalows popular with many artists and musicians.
Along the Sea Road there are many single story properties. The shingle beach stretches from the cliffs at Pett Level to Rye Harbour where a nature reserve is home to many varieties of wildfowl and waterbirds. There is a coastal path along from the beach to Rye Harbour. The harbour is a couple of miles from Rye town and there is a pedestrian only road, which leads to the beach.
Facilities include a Co-op supermarket, a hairdressers pub and a smart butchers/deli/café and restaurant ‘The Ship. There are also two holiday caravan parks one with direct beach access.
Transport: Buses from Rye to Hastings.