st. mary's parish church

Stunning medieval church with wonderful stained glass windows. No opportunity to do so on this visit, but the bell tower has been open to intrepid/sound of wind and limb visitors previously. It is however very steep climb and not for faint-hearted. Peerless views of Sussex countryside is the reward.

Well worth walking round this grand old church. Amazing tapestry pictures depicting local scenes. Stained glass windows worth a look

Burne Jones stained window is stunning. The rest of the church is just as stunning. A really rewarding visit. I need to go up the tower but the weather on my visit was inclement to say the least. Still an hour passed inside a magnificent place of worship. And the immediate surrounding Church square is sublime.

This church is a lovely example of vernacular architecture, quite grand with an impressive clock. The church always has a good flower display too. The bell tower is very impressive as is the view from the top over the red roofs of Rye, and down to the Harbour. Thoroughly recommended although its lots of stairs up and very narrow.

The church itself is worth a visit although the main focus of excitement is to climb up to the tower along a very narrow passageway and up some wooden steps through the bell tower and out at the top. Not for the nervous although the view is wonderful.

worth the climb up to the bell tower on a sunny day with greats views of the town, harbor and sea. waited for the bells to ring but the never did :(

Thank you for your review. I am so sorry that one of our volunteers appears to have fallen short of the mark! So that I can make sure this doesn't happen again could you possibly let me know by email to office@ryeparishchurch.org.uk the date and time of your visit? Incidentally, you are the first reviewer to say that they think the price of the tower entrance is 'a little dear'. There is no limit on the amount of time tower visitors can spend on their climb and we do not charge for entry to the church.

The church is impressive in scale but it was the local history exhibits and information that interested me most, especially as you can put it all into context from the top of the tower if you're willing to make the climb, which is an adventure in itself. The access to the tower is very narrow and certainly as the guide warned us, not for anyone claustrophobic, but the views of the town and harbour are amazing and you get a real sense of the medieval town and how close France must have felt. We were at the top of the tower at 3 o'clock - make sure you're not inside the belfry when the bells chime!

Thank you for your review. It made our day!

The climb to the top of the tower affords great views and is a mini adventure in its own right! The church is beautiful with plenty to look at. Well worth the £3 fee for the tower climb

Apart from viewing the interesting historical displays and the architecture, be sure to climb the tower for an amazing view. It is best to go after you have absorbed some off the other historical exhibits as you can get a visual idea of how Rye was in the past and at present from the vantage point.

.. nor for anyone who isn't slender! The climb up passes through some narrow passages, up staircases (best descended backwards) and the guard rail around the tower itself is disconcertingly low... I'm not great on heights or voids so had to breathe deeply in several places! the £3.00 fee is well worth it for the view over Rye on a clear crisp December day -perfect. Do NOT take small children, or unruly disobedient teenagers unless you wish to see the back of them for good - there are disclaimers everywhere that you climb up at your own risk. the church itself is a loverly parish one, with a particularly wonderful ancient clock which dates from the 14th century although it only came into the church in 1561. It's 18ft long pendulum swings in front of the entrance door! There's no charge for going into the church itself, only to go up the tower.

Lovely old church which has a calm and peaceful atmosphere which maybe due to the amount of lovely stained glass windows allowing lots of light . we took the tower tour which is fascinating as you get to see the workings of the oldest clock in a church in England. Loved seeing the bells on the way up to the top. Although it was cold it was well worth going up as the 360 views of Rye and the surrounding countryside are stunning.

Take a climb up the tower ( not for the feeble or faint hearted ) on a nice day for superb views of Rye and it's surroundings and take a camera too!

The views from the top of the church are absolutely stunning and even though we visited in half term it was uncrowded and peaceful