Rye Conservation Society

Shapes of Buildings

Glimpses of Countryside

Buildings Closing a View

Painting Bricks & Tiles

The Coming of Slate

Glass and Glazing

Unusual Features in Rye

Cast Iron

Changes in Fashion

Shapes of Rye

Materials of Rye

Shapes of Streets

Rye
Conservation
Society

Protecting Rye’s historic heritage
for future generations

Rye Conservation Society is a registered charity - Charity No. 283888 | Site by Webinsite

There is no good local building stone in south east England. Canterbury Cathedral was built from imported stone from Caen in northern France. (At that time Canterbury was almost on the coast).

In Rye, stone was used for religious buildings or for defence - the gateways, Ypres Tower and the town wall. Later, stone was used for fireproof warehouses on the Strand where it has weathered very badly.

It is said that stone from the redundant town wall was used for the building of the Churchyard wall.

Also missing from Rye is knapped flint. It is used extensively further east, for example the Pugin buildings in Ramsgate. There is a little in Rye used with dressed stone for a small extension to the Church.

Friars of the Sack,
Church Square

The Landgate

Rye Conservation Society is a registered charity - Charity No. 283888

Stone base to brick wall

Stone Warehouse,
The Strand

Images and text by John Griffiths, Rye Conservation Society