19 Dec 2014
“There is not in all England a town so blatantly picturesque as Tilling”. So said E.F Benson, of his home town of Rye, East Sussex, used by the author as the setting for his popular Mapp & Lucia novels.
Named as a 'must see' place to visit by a number of national and international publications, now has never been a better time to visit Rye. As the two inimitable ladies, played by Anna Chancellor (Mapp) and Miranda Richardson (Lucia) make their waspish way onto our screens on Boxing Day in this eagerly awaited new BBC One adaptation by Steve Pemberton (League of Gentlemen), the delights of the most well preserved medieval town in England are revealed to the audience.
During his time in Rye, Benson lived at Lamb House, former home of Henry James, and was, like Lucia, mayor of the town. Visit St Mary the Virgin church to view the stained glass window he donated and spot Benson' portrait and his dog incorporated into the picture.
For breathtaking views over the red roofs and 'level marshland and rims of blue sea on the horizon' (ref. Benson), climb to the top of the church tower. Head for nearby Camber Sands or Rye Harbour Nature Reserve for bracing walks.
For a more stade form of exercise, from May onwards Benson fans can join a 90 minute tour of Benson's Rye, alternate Saturdays from 23 May 2015 to 12 September 2015. Combine this with a visit to Lamb House where the walk ends up and it's the perfect package for the true aficionado. http://www.efbensonsociety.org or info@efbensonsociety.org
Private group tours can also be arranged by contacting via the website or email address.
Throughout the centuries Rye has inspired some of literature's greatest names, such as Henry James, Rumer Godden and Ford Madox Ford. Take tea at Fletcher's House, the former home of John Fletcher, the noted Jacobean playwright and contemporary of Shakespeare ; stay at award winning guest house, Jeake's House, where poet Conrad Aiken lived between 1923 – 1939.
The town is perfect for a luxury break, overflowing with independent shops, antiques and vintage memorabilia, top quality accommodation and restaurants. The kettle's always on at Glass Etc. where you'll find on hand for lively conversation Andy McConnell, the BBC Antiques Roadshow glass expert. http://decanterman.com/
Rye's film location credibility (the cast of Clooney's 'Monuments Men' were here last year) makes it fitting that one of the latest 'destination shops' on the High Street is the Vintage Stockroom, owned by Natalie MacGowan Spencer, award-winning makeup artist to Hollywood stars such as George Clooney, Cameron Diaz, Samuel L Jackson and Hunger Games actors. It offers an eclectic mix of industrial furniture from the 30's, 40's + 50's with Vintage Americana and unique collectables. https://www.facebook.com/vintagestockroom
'The Shop Next Door' is where you can buy many of items inspired by the décor at The George in Rye http://www.thegeorgeinrye.com/TSND.html ; the 200 year old Rye Pottery is being taken to a new level by brother and sister combo Tabby and Josh Cole. http://www.ryepottery.co.uk/
Be sure to make a date in your diary for the first in the town's lively 2015 events programme, the annual Rye Bay Scallop Week, 21 Feb – 1 March. http://scallop.org.uk/
For further information, images or to discuss a press trip for journalists with commissions, please contact:
Jane Ellis, Tourism Marketing Officer, 1066 Country Marketing
01424 451113
