A combination of half term, another bank holiday, and lots of sun drew crowds to Rye and the surrounding area over last weekend if the traffic and the crowded pavements were a good guide – and memories of Covid and lockdown slipped into the past. If Rye town centre on Saturday was typical of the surrounding area, normal life seemed to be back.
The lifeguards (above) will now be around every day on Camber’s Central Beach and the other lifeguard station on Camber’s West Beach is back at weekends and then daily from July 8 until the start of September.
Restrictions have however come in for the holiday season on dogs and horse riding on the popular beaches.
Guided parties could be seen exploring Rye’s history and their coaches filled up the station car park and some were stunned to see, and hear on Saturday, Rye’s drummers marching down to the Cinque Ports where the mayor was thanking them for their contribution to recent events, including coronation day.
Many places seemed packed, including the trains coming into Rye from London and up from the coast. The carriages were as full as was safely possible with many travellers equipped with back packs and phones at the ready, taking photos and selfies as soon as they had ‘landed’ in Rye. It was hard to get a drink (or see a local face) in the Waterworks, whose reputation as a very special pub with a huge range of beers and ciders seems to have spread far and wide.
But the traffic on the roads and the queues at the bus stops indicate many were heading for the beaches. There is a choice with Pett, Winchelsea and Rye Harbour, as well as Camber. All seemed to be having a good time, including the business and hospitality venues who had lived through Covid.
Image Credits: Kt Bruce , Col Everet , Nick Forman .