Exploring Historic Rye: A Walk Through Time on the South Coast of England (4K)

[@thesussexsmuggler]

Hello John, great video! As a local historian, I wanted to share some additional insights. The smugglers you're referring to were actually the infamous Hawkhurst Gang-no tunnels required! Gabriel Tonkins was a key figure, living a wild double life as a smuggler-turned-Excise Officer and then reverting back to being a highwayman. He even managed to escape transportation! The 18th century saw this town in chaos, with frequent duels, murders, and kidnappings. The Hawkhurst Gang, originally called the Seacox Gang, is recognized as England's first documented organized crime syndicate. Initially led by Arthur Gray, they ran contraband from Amsterdam and Boulogne, bringing goods along the Kent and Sussex coast before moving them inland. They were incredibly well-connected, with members of the establishment financing their activities. In France, they even found protection, acting as spies for a potential French invasion with Jacobean ties. John Collier, the Surveyor-General of Hastings, was tasked with hunting them down between 1730 and 1750. Despite his efforts, anti-tax factions in Parliament hindered his work. While some gang members were hanged, many of the leaders escaped justice, even breaking out of Newgate Prison or using their wealth to hire barristers.

[@janinetregelles8518]

Must be lots of us that enjoy john’s walks on a Sunday night. Such a Treat.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks very much Janine

[@barbarapowell9905]

It really is a Treat.

[@jackiedelvalle]

I'm enjoying it Monday evening, eating dinner after work 😊

[@mariakarvouni5267]

Just retired; don’t drive; not a lot of people in my life; a little lost. This was inspiring - there may be life after 66…..

[@JohnRogersWalks]

There most certainly is life after 66 Maria!!

[@lizwilliams14]

And after 76!

[@KhrystynaBraverman]

Absolutely Maria; there most Certainly is! 🕊️

[@thesussexsmuggler]

I'm part of a group that’s recently been involved with the Smugglers Attic at the Rye Heritage Centre. We often come together in period dress at local museums and historic buildings, all with the aim of raising funds for various causes. It’s a great way to bring history to life and support the local heritage! Kind Regards Captain James Bollinger.

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

One of my favourite small towns. I spent my first ever holiday here with my parents, in the late 1940's and remember standing in the corridor of a crowded steam train from Ashford on a rainy day, with the smoke from the engine hanging low over the fields. It's always a delight to visit and I've been back many times since. Thank you.

[@luapnosboh7421]

Things ya don't forget 👍

[@countesscable]

We drove here from South Wales-a bit of a journey-and stayed in a cottage with wonderful wobbly walls, stairs and floors. I glimpsed it here. The Town is truly beautiful and amazing.

[@IrrationalRecreation]

Winchelsea is very special too. Love that part of the world. Saturated with history.

[@thekentishpilgrim]

I was just in Rye today. Great part of the world to walk around. I once walked from Hastings to Rye which passes through Winchelsea. Great walk.

[@RighteousReverendDynamite]

At first I misread Winchelsea as I did not have my stupid glasses on and thought it said "Windansea". That was the name bequeathed via a lady who won the naming contest back in the 1920s in La Jolla, California to one of the most scenic beaches in San Diego. (It was the contraction of "wind and sea".). The coarse sand and smooth but damp rocky crags seem to change with the seasons and tides. The waves break on a shallow reef are difficult to master. The shorebreak in summer breaks directly on the sand at the Womp! After WWII, local surfers built the famous Shack of eucalyptus posts with palm frond roof in which to stow their heavy balsa longboards. A lot of local surfers in the 1950s then traveled to Oahu to tackle real Hawaiian surf and survived. Raquel Welch enjoyed the sun and sand there before Hollywood called. The name always seemed to fit this magical place. I do want to visit Rye some day in the near future. Nothing like being near the Sea or Ocean.

[@andrewtucker3943]

OK. The Wife and I are going to Rye sometime. It looks beautiful. All those old houses in Mermaid Street, built before they invented right angles... What a perfect day out, thank you for bringing us along with you!

[@Manchesteru999]

Thanks for that John. The walk along the saxon shore way from Hastings to Rye was my favourite walk when I lived in London and needed a tonic. Coastline at Fairlight is amazing and passing lovely Winchelsea and my compatriot Spike Milligan's grave, 'dúirt mé go raibh me tinn',😊

[@RBC0405]

I'd love to live in a street like that. So much character and charm.

[@yinoveryang4246]

Very steep one, may present a problem when you get older.

[@vickywitton1008]

Hmmm, I don't know! Wouldn't you get fed up of all the tourists?

[@AliBees]

Well this is going to be a treat. I love Rye and John Rogers walking it- amazing!!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Hope you enjoy it Ali

[@AliBees]

I did John. Thank you 🙏

[@barbarapowell9905]

I enjoyed that so much, feel like I had a Sunday by the sea on a beautiful fall day (and I’m in the middle of Missouri). Thank You so much.

[@markriley4665]

Rye is a wonderful spot. I love the literary connections and it’s proximity to Winchelsea, Dungeness (and Derek Jarman) and the wonderful sound mirrors at Denge. What a delight on a Sunday evening John. It has brought back many memories of walks along that coastline. Thank you.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

I really need to go to Dungeness Mark

[@paulwilson7234]

Another excellent Sunday evening video.

[@KentishMudlarks]

A lovely video John, thanks for sharing. A couple of facts, there are 3 rivers that come out at Rye, The Rother, the Brede and the Tillingham. Before the storm of 1287 the River Rother came out to the sea at New Romney one of the original Cinque Ports. Like Rye it lost its port and its importance died. Thanks again😊👍 Mark and Julie New Romney

[@dougzirkle5951]

Having yet to visit Rye myself, I know better now what I’ve been missing. Another gem of a wander.

[@Joshyboy1928]

Having lived in London nearly all my life (I’m now elsewhere) I had heard of Rye but never thought about visiting. You have really shown me the appeal of the town, and I now want to visit there as soon as possible. It looks wonderful.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

It's a great day trip from London Josh

[@tomadeney8860]

We love your videos John - the music really sits nicely - being an Aussie it's one of the few places in UK we got to go to last year and yes it is amazing!

[@kimbarnetson3297]

What a lovely walk. I think we all know that feeling of being at the beach and just not wanting to leave. There is something about the coast that is compelling. Last summer my husband and I took our bikes on the train to Cromer and cycled the east coast through, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex. We visited so many lovely little towns and villages that might only be a few miles from the nearest big seaside place but were less visited and therefore more historic and idyllic. Now I'm adding Rye to our bike tour list , thanks John.

[@thesussexsmuggler]

The Romney Marsh also served as inspiration for Russell Thorndike's series 'The Scarecrow of Romney & Dr Syn', which eventually led to the Walt Disney film and Hammer House of Horror’s 'Captain Clegg'. Both the books and film featured a lot of Rye and the surrounding areas, often referring to the locals as "Marshmen." Fascinating how the region's history and history inspired such iconic stories!

[@RighteousReverendDynamite]

I think Mr. Disney donated money to restore the quaint church used in the film. I wish he was still around and in charge of his company. No more great stories or acting. He embarked on a long tour of Europe after the war and Disneyland was inspired in part by his tour of the Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen. Patrick McGoohan did a great job as Dr. Syn.

[@thesussexsmuggler]

@RighteousReverendDynamite I think it was St Clements Church out on the marsh, but I don't have my book to hand.

[@RighteousReverendDynamite]

@@thesussexsmuggler I hope to travel out that way in the next few years. Nice people, serene scenery, and chock full of history..... (and nice long walks to make the pounds go away without realizing you are exercising!) . Nothing better in life.

[@thesussexsmuggler]

@@RighteousReverendDynamite it's a gorgeous area, enriched in history. Don't forget to take a walk around Old Hasting, Pett level, Hythe and Dymchurch.

[@liberty_and_justice67]

Wow! Thank you for sharing! Rye is a beautiful and interesting location. Never been, sadly. As always, enjoy your visuals, narrative, and background music.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks- my pleasure, been meaning to go for a while, completely beguiled

[@simonolsen9995]

G'day and thanks for rekindling fond memories from the 20th Century. God love you British. Your Local Governments and communities haven't yet forgotten how to look after nice things.

[@taomahNEGEV]

What a heartwarming little town and a brilliant walk. I want more like this, please.

[@OkieJammer2736]

Wowww. I have ancestors from Rye! What a delight to see it here, and still looking it's beautiful old self. Thank you, John.

[@trailingarm63]

Lovely film. When I lived in London I used to go down to Rye quite regularly either by motorbike or car for a day out or weekend. Often had dinner at The Mermaid Inn. The town is a paradise for history buffs. On Romney Marsh I was very moved by little shrines to fallen WW2 fighter pilots during the Battle of Britain.

[@timballard27]

We stayed in the Borough Arms a few years back when we came to see our friend playing at the Grapevine Jazz Bar in Conduit Hill. Sadly, he passed away a year later. Rye is a beautiful place and the bird Reserve well worth visiting.

[@donr2176]

Have enjoyed your many videos for some time, John; This one on Rye reminded me of a trip 58 years ago there, when I parked my company van opposite the Mermaid Inn, and spent quite some time enjoying a beer and a meal in the Inn. When I returned outside it was very cold and frosty and the quite steep cobbled street was icy and very dangerously slippery. I had the most scary and slow drive down Mermaid Street , being very afraid of hitting a few vehicles parked below mine. I managed thank goodness, to avoid them [only just] as I had to drive back to London..

[@jamesrowe3606]

I feel like I know Rye although I've never been there, because of E F Benson's wonderful Mapp and Lucia novels. It looks exactly how Tilling should look and you can imagine Miss Mapp covertly surveying the busy street scene from the window of her drawing room. I must go there one day.

[@leastone9600]

Great video,thank you John. I stayed in Rye a few summers ago and it is enchanting - so great to be reminded of my walks to the harbour! Rye also has several literary and artistic connections: the writers Henry James, E F. Benson and Rumer Godden all lived in Lamb House at various times. And the painters Paul Nash and Edward Burra lived in the town. The William the Conquerer pub was also painted by Eric Ravilious. It's such a special place!

[@womblinwomble.5321]

A great walk John, Thanx. Rye looks beautiful and very atmospheric. We'd enjoy a second walk there with U in the future. It was lovely seeing the sea. Lovely also to see your Beloved along with U. We'll catch U on the next walk. . . . wherever that may be ! Always do your flanneur thing.

[@martaorduna7857]

Beautiful!looks like a fairy town.Cheers from Buenos Aires,Argentina.

[@grahamspinks4801]

One of my favourite towns. I try to go there for the Rye Bay Scallop Week as often as I can. The Mermaid definitely the only place to stay.. The old waterworks pub is also another favourite.

[@sheilabeer6834]

I love Rye and seeing this I must visit again. The cobbles got my feet when I last visited. Im lucky I can get the train from Orpington to Hastings and from Hastings catch the train to Rye.

[@maverick4177]

Such a great coastline Sussex into Kent 👏🏻

[@marty9011]

Fascinating walk. Rye & surroundings seem so steeped in history. Gorgeous old buildings.

[@SamsungPhone-kk3ot]

Your walks in and around London are great but it's good to see videos of you going on 'holiday' if you like, and visiting these other beautiful places. I'd love a walk around York when you can....

[@JTTW1455]

I really loved the light you captured, what a stunning walk. Thanks so much.

[@annahemmings3437]

I visited Rye last year and was pleasantly surprised how beautiful it was and so historic. I have now put Winchelsea and Dungeness on my list. You encourage me to get out and enjoy the moment!! Thanks John for your commitment. 👍

[@lizwilliams14]

I love Rye. I first went here when I was a child and we often went to the south coast and visited Rye too. I think it would drive me crazy if I lived there. The tourists are always around. It was lovely when you walked across the fields.

[@WEC8198]

Beautiful episode… I enjoyed a great walk round there last year, and a breakfast at The Fig

[@stuartlong6217]

I love your urban walks John, but sometimes it's nice to watch something so, well, visually lush.

[@ianbarnard7682]

Wonderful film John. We went there this year and were amazed. The view from the church is amazing. Waterworks and Ypres Castle inn are great for beer. Thanks for bringing back great memories

[@martinjames9250]

I'd say you captured the flavour of the town and harbour of Rye pretty well. It's a special place for sure.

[@palace1439]

I love Rye and I park by the windmill and spend a few hours walking round and looking for antiques followed by a fantastic pint from the Waterworks.

[@TXMEDRGR]

Thanks for showing us this lovely, historic town.

[@Ben_Mdws]

Lovely change to the London walks. Nice one John.

[@happysnapper3676]

Welcome to my part of the world John. Romney marsh is over 100 sq miles & contains some real gems as well as wonderful people. Take a trip to Dungeness and eat at The Fish Shack, you won't regret it!

[@LeeJohn70]

Great video John. Rye is my favourite place at Christmas time, it's like a Scrooge setting. The connection from Stratford to Rye is amazing 👍😁😎, look forward to your next video where ever that maybe.

[@robertgarvey5652]

I stayed at the Mermaid 2 years ago. I walked around town every morning. Absolutely magical place

[@MichaelMackdesign]

Love this video, Rye is on my list of places to visit on my next trip to the UK. It is just so picturesque. I like that you also did a river walk outside Rye to the sea. Always love watching your videos.

[@michsmi8297]

I know Rye quite welll as my Parants live not far away at St. Marys Bay. I hope you get a chance to go back again and do all the things you missed this time around. incidentally, I think Patrick Macnee used to live there a long time ago before eventually moving to California. Always enjoy joining you on your walks , John, and this one was particularly good!

[@Satellites_W]

Spent many summers down in Rye from the 1970s till now, as my parents have a place in Camber and my Mother still lives there. Nice one John.

[@robertcollins1583]

Lovely video, John. My grandmother lived on East Street (round the corner from Simon the Pieman). I spent several summers with her down there. I have wonderful memories of Rye. A beautiful town. Dungeness just down the coast is special too but obviously a different vibe entirely. Thank you for a nice reminder of times past. Rob

[@CthulhuInc]

ha, i just noticed this on my list now [1PM] but, you KNOW i'll watch it later tonight, before bedtime, as is my habit! i am also [finally] at the start of your first book, john - such a great intro to it! i'll dig in to the first walk tonight, too! 😊

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Brilliant many thanks- hope you enjoy the video and the book

[@sianwarwick633]

What a lovely walk in such a beautiful and historic port, thanks for filming John

[@geraldineallan6514]

What a beautiful quaint town I’d need a couple of months in Rye to explore. Enjoyed your video .

[@JonathanLucas-zw7ec]

Hello John....watching your Rye walk...love it...very relaxing to watch...thank you for your walk about.

[@vwright1021]

Another region close to my heart ...especially further down the coast around Dungeness. As someone has mentioned in the comments below, Dungeness has the famous Prospect cottage & garden created by Derek Jarman. There are also the wonderful smuggling stories of Dr Syn (vicar by day, smuggler by night) written by Russell Thorndike ... incredibly atmospheric with the mists rolling off the sea to hide the smugglers on Romney Marsh. And another, virtually unknown, book (e-book , kindle only ) called 'The Homing Instinct' which is almost a modern tale set in the same area... and ends in Rye. Happened on it by chance when planning a visit there ...and the best thing about it was that it's free. I hear you plan a Dungeness video Roger ... I'll look forward to that.

[@churchcrawling]

Thanks, John. This video kept me going through a hard time this weekend. Lovely to see and inspiration for getting back out on some walks hopefully again soon!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Sorry to hear you’ve had a hard time, glad the video could help. Hope you’re feeling better soon

[@lesleysmith51]

What a beautiful and relaxing post 😊. My grandmother lived in Hove when I was a child and we had a very enjoyable day trip there. I think we went more than once but I really can't remember. It was a long time ago now. British history can be so beautiful. Glad you had such perfect weather. It makes such a difference. 😊

[@suemccarthy1550]

I love Rye it’s such a lovely place full of old cobbled streets. If only we could hear some of the tales that went on. We enjoyed watching your visit on a beautiful sunny Sunday John thank you. Hope you and your wife made it to the station on time. Look forward to your next adventure.

[@vickywitton1008]

I just want you to know how lovely and relaxing your videos are, almost mediative. I feel at peace when I watch them!❤

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks Vicky

[@stevesmith3990]

That was great John, really enjoyed it, thanks. I haven't been to Rye for years, must get there soon.

[@magicknight8412]

Visited Rye this summer. such a wonderful place to visit and wander around. Well worth going up the church tower! And you should definitely visit the Waterworks micropub, fantastic little place with some cracking beers and craft ales.

[@KhrystynaBraverman]

What a Perfect Day; John! ☀️💫

[@mungmungie]

This brought back memories. Way back in the late 1970s I visited England and was treated by one of my uncles to a little excursion down to Rye and Winchelsea. We ate at the Mermaid, and climbed the tower of the church. There were fishermen selling prawns on the beach, so that was our dinner. I have been addicted to prawns ever since. Winchelsea is particularly interesting because its grid street plan is like a Roman townsite--and indeed much like most towns in North America. Probably best to leave for a future walk.

[@lexicallab9848]

I grew up in rye and know these streets like the back of my hand. Very pretty, very historical, very tough place to be an odd outsider kid in the 80s!!!!

[@tedcopple101]

One of my earliest memories going to Rye when having a family holiday at Camber Sands, scarily must be over 30 years ago. Nothing better than a video from John on a Sunday afternoon.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Ted

[@Everywhere2]

Exquisite video. Thank you, John.

[@lesliegprice6652]

Nice to see ye again out and about hope the knee is getting better ,what a wonderful place , must be a challenge to live there though as there's so many tourists, thanks for an informative journey , the Marshes are a very eerie and unique environment, also of coure the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Miniature Railway , a fascinating part of the world , Derek Jarman's house and garden is also at Dungeness nearby , which is also worth a visit , see you soon my friend 🌈🙏❤

[@downtonviewer]

Mermaid Street is my wallpaper, I follow Rye and Winchelsea on FB and I subscribe to this channel. I love it when worlds collide!

[@johnsmyth3663]

Great walk John, visited Rye in 2012. Lovely little historic town. Nice part of the world. Thanks for making the trip. Good memories.

[@shiprapandey43172]

Respected Sir,in England map is really good thing,but you really know many places naturally which are included in map ❤ river rye walk is a fantastic walk Madam with you is a very special thing,English channel nobody can know much about it as you know 😊autumn is really good in London it's a very beautiful country .smuggling can not be stopped in any govt or any Era but I think they should be stopped by government..

[@jcr_jcr]

I am so glad you toured and videod Rye. What a treat. It is a lovely place and although I have been many times I loved your visit. Thank you. Most of the houses were occupied by locals until a few years ago..

[@ralphwinter6421]

Nice one John, wonderful vid...

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Cheers Ralph

[@TimothyHalkowski]

Great walk - love the coastal towns. Glad your leg seems to be doing better!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Timothy

[@calimonkey1836]

Having being up the Tower it is a white knuckle number! The Ypres Castle pub is wonderful..

[@suewhite6612]

This was exactly what I came looking for today and completely perfect. Thanks John 😊

[@alanarmer8069]

Great video,thanks John 📗📗📗

[@dannya6825]

I stayed at Camber Sands a few months ago with my parents, and we went to Rye town centre. The weather was the same. Just beautiful 😍💯

[@stonesdon]

These videos are so relaxing

[@SydneySimon-s8p]

Thankyou....

[@KhrystynaBraverman]

Hello John; another wonderful video! 🌺

[@OkieJammer2736]

OMGoodness. 😊 What a delight!

[@annenewton5403]

Our favourite local old town.

[@sharrison3974]

Lovely video - I feel like I've had a day out!

[@patrickokeeffe-i7i]

Great walk John, Rye`s a place I know well and you did it justice. You should try the walk from Winchelsea to Rye via Camber castle - I think you may have done part of it on your walk to Rye Harbour. Winchelsea is really interesting too - a planned medieval walled hill town (after the old Winchelsea had been washed away). Many of the old houses have huge cellars in which the many wine merchants stored French wine. when Winchelsea was an important harbour before it silted up. Also lovely church with Spikes grave in the churchyard.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Patrick - I’d really like to go back and do the Winchelsea Walk

[@luapnosboh7421]

Enjoyed that ! Great chill john 👌

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Paul

[@JHruby]

Greetings from St Paul in Minnesota. Really enjoyed this episode and your channel in general. I will tell you that there's nothing like Britain in the Autumn because of the light. Everything is bathed in that Kodachrome gold, even in the midday. I tell you, I go to Britain just to be in that atmosphere of all that beautiful countryside. I have been there on 12 separate trips from age 22 to now 54 and it never changes.

[@elizabethhammond5545]

Lovely!

[@richardpeacock1197]

Thanks for adding a must see destination to my UK holiday next year.

[@Gez-C]

I love Rye, I live down the road from there and love visiting there

[@mikemcguire2076]

One of your best recent videos - less of the east and central London "safe" escapades and more of what I think many of your subscribers would trust you to do - broaden their horizens, albeit still within the comfortable reach of London. A long time ago I went with my ex-wife and daughter to Rye, taking my mothere for a day out - she was still very active so we had no problem negotiating the slopes of Rye; beautiful town and I wanted to treat my Mum to a nice meal, since my dad had passed away and she was living on her own - we went to the Mermaid and, at that time, the prices were quite reasonable (not sure what they are like today) so, as anyone would do, we asked what she would like .... and got the same response that I suspect that many of your subscribers would get trying to treat a friend or relative .... "I will have the cheapest on the menu". She didn't get the cheapest, she got a really nice meal and we all had a really good time. Great memories of Rye. Now try the likes of Lavenham, Long Melford and other places in East Anglia (and the broads where I managed t o run a small (hired) broads cruiser into the reeds and had to be towed off by some posh bloke with a huger cruiser - oh the igmony!)

[@puddinggeek4623]

Excellent video as always. Keep up the great work.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks

[@Inspireit78]

Good for you John, Looks like a beautiful part of the world. Great vid :) Mark

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Mark

[@Christina-ge3xr]

Thank you for this lovely visit. Hope you made your train!

[@ashleysgaze]

A great walk, John! ❤

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Ashley

[@jamesjohnmoss8130]

John, visit Sandwich, another old port, really worth the visit.

[@john80c]

Never been there now wishing I had. Great video John.