East Street Museum
Free volunteer-run museum of Rye’s fishing, pottery, hop-picking and fire-fighting history in a former bottling plant.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The East Street Museum is run by the Rye Museum Association, a volunteer organisation that receives no regular state funding. It is housed in a repurposed 19th-century bottling plant in the centre of Rye, and it complements the town’s other museum site at Ypres Tower.
The displays focus on everyday life and local industries. Visitors can see the Old Rye Fire Engine, a hand-pumped engine built in 1745, as well as tools, models and stories of shipbuilding and fishing, and Rye pottery ranging from medieval fragments to modern studio pieces, including Tunbridgeware. A display celebrates the children’s character Captain Pugwash, created by John Ryan, and another covers hop tokens and the rural life of hop picking and agriculture.
The museum opens at weekends during the season and can be opened on weekdays for groups with advance notice.
Highlights
- Old Rye Fire Engine, a hand-pumped engine built in 1745
- Rye pottery from medieval fragments to modern studio pieces
- Shipbuilding and fishing tools, models and stories
- Captain Pugwash display
- Hop tokens and the story of hop picking
Permanent exhibitions
- Old Rye Fire Engine – A hand-pumped fire engine built in 1745 that served the town.
- Rye pottery – Pottery made in Rye from medieval shards to modern studio pieces, including Tunbridgeware.
- Captain Pugwash – A display celebrating the character created by John Ryan.
- Founded
- 1999
- Operated by
- Rye Museum Association
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Weekday opening for a group (fee for the whole group) | £25By advance arrangement and subject to staff availability. |
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Entry is free; donations are welcome because the museum receives no regular state funding.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
A ramp leads from the main entrance into the exhibition room, which is flat and fully accessible. A full access statement is published on the website.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum website offers public transport and walking directions and gives the what3words location embraced.dust.eclipses.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum’s website does not list a café, shop or toilets.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | No booking is needed for individual visits. Group bookings can be arranged through the museum’s contact form. |
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