Exciting new attractionsare now open at Rye Castle

The professionally created exhibitions at the Castle now include the recreation of a woman’s cell complete with an audio visual presentation in the Women’s Tower and in the Ypres Tower a replica of the Bread’s gibbet.

Visitors can get a hands-on feel for medieval longbow and other weaponry.

The museum now has new interpretation panels and a new entrance desk.

Those not able to climb the circular staircase to the upper floor of the Castle or descend into the courtyard garden and Women’s Tower can now view everything on a virtual tour situated on the ground floor of the Ypres Tower and fully accessible to less mobile visitors.

Peter Varley, from Rye Museum, said: “The reaction of visitors to the new refurbishment has been one of almost unanimous approval with visitor numbers since the reopening up by a third over the same period in the previous twelve months.

“The total number of visitors to the Castle in the last year was over 21,000, a fantastic result for the Museum.

“The visitor numbers over the recent Bank Holidays have continued this remarkable trend and show what an important asset to Rye the Castle has become.”

Rye’s Women’s Tower is thought to be the oldest surviving women’s prison in the country.

The Castle is open daily 10.30am to 5pm in the summer and 10.30am to 3.30pm in the winter though last admission is 30 minutes before closing. More information on the Ypres Tower and Rye history is available on the Rye Museum website www.ryemuseum.co.uk.