Rye - Historic Smuggling Town

Essential Intel

Rye is beautiful, historic and delightfully uneven underfoot. Wear sensible shoes, take your time on the cobbles and choose your route carefully where steep steps or steepish streets give you options. Keep the whole squad close, especially on narrow lanes without pavements, and be ready for a proper hilltop workout while you chase down the smuggling gang.

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Detective Mystery around Rye’s historic smuggling streets, with Detectives following the old routes through town to unmask the slippery ringleader behind a new wave of contraband chaos.

The investigation covers approximately 1.2 miles and should take around 1.5+ hours to complete. The route explores Rye’s cobbled lanes, steep streets, historic centre, castle area, churchyard and lookout points, with plenty of suspicious corners where a smuggler could easily slip from sight.

Expect cobbled streets, sharp climbs and surfaces that can turn treacherous when wet. This Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs. Pushchairs should cope, but your squad may need to rally round on the hillier bits.

There are several road crossings and narrow lanes without pavements, so keep younger Detectives and canine colleagues close throughout. Take extra care on Mermaid Street and other steep cobbled sections, especially in wet weather when Rye can get extra slippy with its secrets.

Getting There

Time to gather your squad and begin the smuggler hunt:

By car: The investigation begins at Rye Town Hall in Market Street (TN31 7LA), using ///stall.partied.remit. The Town Hall should be easy to spot, as it is the big building with five arches along the front. There are a few car parks nearby. The nearest to the start is Lucknow Place (TN31 7LP), with a larger and cheaper option at Rope Street (TN31 7NA).

By public transport: Make your way into Rye town centre, then head for Rye Town Hall in Market Street to begin the case.

Need the Loo?

Even the sharpest smuggler-catchers need a comfort break while following the trail. Public toilets can be found at the castle while you are there, so it is worth making use of them before the case twists back through the town.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Detectives can join the investigation 🐾

This outdoor route includes cobbled streets, narrow lanes, steep sections, busier town areas and castle surroundings, so keep canine colleagues on a lead and close to the squad. Take extra care near roads, on slippery cobbles and around the hillier parts of town.

Food & Drink Stops

Catching smugglers can stir up a proper detective appetite.

There are plenty of pubs, cafes and restaurants along the route, especially once your inquiries reach the town centre. It is a great place to pick up a little contraband for peckish Detectives - although best not to let the Chief know if there are cakes involved.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Rye Town Hall

Your case begins at Rye Town Hall, right in the heart of the historic town. Its five arches make it an easy landmark to gather around before the hunt for the smuggling ringleader begins.

St Mary’s Church

St Mary’s Church has watched over Rye for more than 900 years, earning the grand nickname "the Cathedral of East Sussex". In 1377, French raiders looted the town, set it ablaze and pinched the church bells, before Rye and Winchelsea crews sailed to Normandy the next year and brought them home again.

Ypres Tower and Castle Area

The investigation heads through the castle area, where Detectives can enjoy one of Rye’s most distinctive historic spots. Keep your eyes peeled around the cannons and lookout points - smugglers have a habit of leaving clues where the views are best.