All our clocks have to be changed this weekend when British Summer Time begins, and Easter marks the start of the “season” for visitors. But in practice, though, tourists come throughout the year, whether it is for Christmas, weddings, “foodie” weeks like the autumnal Wild Boar and spring’s Scallops Week, or for special events like Bonfire Night.
But some attractions are only there for the season and these have begun to throw open their doors again.
The first visitors of the 2016 season to Lamb House last Saturday March 19 included one couple from Richmond, Virginia, USA (pictured above) and at the same time (by coincidence) another couple from Kew in the London Borough of Richmond (pictured left).
They were received by Sarah Pearce, Visitor Reception Assistant from the National Trust (on left), who also works at Sissinghurst and at the Ellen Terry Museum at Smallhythe, near Tenterden. On duty also was Lamb House volunteer Claire Stephenson.
Lamb House has been home to a number of famous writers over the years including EF Benson who wrote the Mapp and Lucia novels (recently featured on BBC TV and filmed at Lamb House) and American writer Henry James.
Another return for the warmer months is the Country Market which has moved this week, because of Good Friday, from its usual Friday spot at 10am at Rye Community Centre in Conduit Hill to the same time the day before, Maundy Thursday, March 24.
Other attractions like the house and garden at Great Dixter in Northiam are also back in business, as is the steam railway at Tenterden which will run visitors down the line to Bodiam Castle (if they so wish) where the National Trust has Easter Egg hunts in progress.
On Saturday A new farmers’ market opens from 9am at The Globe in Military Road, Rye’s East Street Museum reopens with new exhibits, and there are two new history walking tours of the town – one from the Heritage Centre on The Strand and the other from The Mermaid Inn in Mermaid Street.
And on Sunday two authors are launching their books at the Rye Bookshop in the High Street from 11am to 12:30pm while on Monday the Kino Cinema in Lion Street is showing a live stage performance of “The Railway Children” at 4pm along with other films on current release. So, come rain or shine, there should be things to do – indoors and outdoors.
Photos: Kenneth Bird