Discover Playden

Playden can be explored through several clearly distinct themes: protected landscapes, views of Rye Harbour and the Romney Marshes, and historic churches and houses. The Playden Walk circular route and rail connections from Rye also offer practical starting points for planning your trip.

Protected Landscapes and Views

Today, Playden includes Houghton Green Cliff, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) within the High Weald. The area around Playden lies partly within a protected landscape, formerly known as the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. From Playden’s ancient cliff, the view stretches across Rye Harbour and the Romney Marshes. The protected status and viewpoint provide different ways to understand the landscape and its surroundings.

Church and Historic Buildings

The parish church of St Michael in Playden dates mostly from around 1200 and has later windows. Its architectural features also include 12th-century arcades and two rood screens; one has elaborate carvings in the north aisle. The dating to around 1200 and the older arcades show how different building phases come together in the history of the same church.

The houses also differ in age and style of construction. Blue Cottage consists of a pair of cottages that were later combined into one house; the building is dated to 1794. Wren Cottage dates from 1820 and was altered in the 19th and 20th centuries. Ship Cottage is a timber-framed house from the mid-16th century. Its plastered infill panels are made of wattle and daub; alterations followed in the late 17th or early 18th century, as well as in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. The three buildings thus represent different periods of construction and architectural development.

A deed from 1703 designated The Butt Field for Playden residents to practise archery and for recreation and sport. The Oast at the Playden Oast Inn offers another historical link to local agriculture: it was originally used to dry locally grown hops for making real ale. Its construction is dated to around 1800. This approximate date is important; it does not imply an exact construction date.

Circular Walk and Rail Connections

The Playden Walk circular route starts and ends at Rye railway station. As the route description is older, check the current signs before setting out. This way, you can take account of both the stated start and end point and the practical route guidance for your visit.

Trains run east from Rye railway station to Ashford International. From there, high-speed trains run to London and continental Europe. Trains run west to Hastings, Eastbourne and Brighton. For your plans, it is worth checking the timetable for your travel date. The station, circular route, protected landscape and historic buildings offer different focal points; you can use this information to decide which ones to consider when planning your stay.

Discover more destinations: Rodmell, Seaford, Buxted, Alfriston, Bexhill-On-Sea, Etchingham, Hurst Green, Herstmonceux.

For the regional travel overview: East Sussex.