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Pictures of Playden

in the county of East Sussex

Oast house used to dry the hops at Playden

About Playden

Playden is situated just north of Rye. It is most noted for its beautiful Norman Church dedicated to St. Michael which dates from around 1190. The church is built of stone, with tiled roof and a spire topped by a cross that for centuries has been a landmark over Rye and Romney Marsh.

The church is mentioned in the Doomsday Book and is considered to be one of the finest examples of combined Norman and Early English style. The interior is light and airy with aisles to the north and south of the central tower. Amongst its historic features is a magnificent carved oak screen of great delicacy, it has seven bays and a band of decorated tracery and is believed to date from 1310. There is fine tracery to the windows, exquisite woodwork, and outside the peaceful churchyard you can see scattered graves and tombs from past centuries.

Playden lies in an area renowned for its fine oast houses, some of these have been converted to provide comfortable dwelling houses and hotels. The region is known for its miles of hop fields, for its close proximity to the coast, dazzling Rye harbour, Camber sands, its wildlife habitats in the valley of the River Rother, and for its wealth of interesting castles and country houses all within easy driving distance of the town. It therefore makes an ideal location for a romantic weekend, or to use as a base whilst exploring all that this lovely east Sussex area has to offer.


Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Playden

Lamb House(0.8 miles, 1.3 km)Pictures
Rye Castle Museum(0.9 miles, 1.4 km)Pictures
Camber Castle(1.8 miles, 3.0 km, direction S)Pictures
Smallhythe Place(5.5 miles, 8.9 km, direction N)Pictures
Great Maytham Hall(7.1 miles, 11.4 km, direction NW)Pictures
Hastings Country Park(7.9 miles, 12.6 km, direction SW)Pictures
Bodiam Castle(8.6 miles, 13.8 km, direction W)Pictures
Hole Park Gardens(8.7 miles, 14.0 km, direction NW)Pictures
Hastings Castle(9.4 miles, 15.2 km, direction SW)Pictures
Stade Amusement Park, Hastings(9.9 miles, 15.9 km, direction SW)Pictures
Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway(9.9 miles, 15.9 km, direction E)Pictures
Dungeness Lighthouse(11.3 miles, 18.2 km, direction E)Pictures
Buckleys Yesterday's World(11.7 miles, 18.8 km, direction W)Pictures
Battle Abbey(11.9 miles, 19.1 km, direction W)Pictures
Sissinghurst Castle Garden(12.3 miles, 19.7 km, direction NW)Pictures

All attractions in Playden
All attractions in East Sussex
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Playden

Rye, in the county of East Sussex (0.9 miles, 1.5 km)
Regarded by many as the prettiest town in England, Rye is a very popular place to visit along the south coast of England in...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Winchelsea, a Historic Market Town in the county of East Sussex (2.9 miles, 4.7 km, direction S)
This is a pretty, busy little town tucked along a ridge overlooking Pett Level.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Camber, in the county of East Sussex (3.4 miles, 5.4 km, direction SE)
Backed by the Walland Marsh, Camber has one of the finest stretches of pure sand and sand dunes found along the East Sussex coast.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Brookland, in the county of Kent (5.2 miles, 8.3 km, direction NE)
This is a pretty area full of natural wonders to be discovered on quiet walks or by taking a cycle ride along the paths of the many rivers.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Appledore, in the county of Kent (5.2 miles, 8.4 km, direction NE)
This picturesque village with its wealth of attractive architectural properties sits quietly on the edge of Romney Marsh.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Smallhythe, in the county of Kent (5.7 miles, 9.2 km, direction N)
Between the 14th and the 16th-centuries this lovely Wealdon hamlet was a flourishing port and famous ship building centre where one of Henry VIII war-ships was built.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Brede, in the county of East Sussex (6.0 miles, 9.7 km, direction W)
The delightful village stands on the southern slopes of the Brede River. It is but a short distance from the town of Battle, famous for the Battle of Hastings.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Rolvenden, in the county of Kent (7.5 miles, 12.1 km, direction NW)
Surrounded by a well-wooded landscape, this delightful village was first mentioned in the Doomsday Book, so we are assured of its long history.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Tenterden, in the county of Kent (7.6 miles, 12.3 km, direction N)
The town is located on slightly rising ground looking out over the vast agricultural landscape of the Rother Levels, which sweep down to the Romney Marshes and finally, the sea.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Hastings, in the county of East Sussex (10.1 miles, 16.3 km, direction SW)
Hastings is an old fishing town along the southern coast of England. It offers all the traditional amusements of the seaside but retains much of the character of its colourful past.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

St Leonards, in the county of East Sussex (10.6 miles, 17.1 km, direction SW)
Attractive Sussex seaside resort now joined to Hastings, but initially began as an independent resort laid out by the architect James Burton in 1828.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Battle, in the county of East Sussex (11.2 miles, 18.0 km, direction W)
Battle is a unique town in the county of Sussex built on the very site where William the Conqueror defeated king Harold of England and his Saxon army in 'The Battle of Hastings' in 1066.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Dungeness, in the county of Kent (11.4 miles, 18.3 km, direction E)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Cranbrook, in the county of Kent (12.6 miles, 20.3 km, direction NW)
Cranbrook is an old rural town of numerous streets and alleys, all still true to their medieval layout.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Bexhill, in the county of East Sussex (13.9 miles, 22.4 km, direction SW)
The old town of Bexhill-on-Sea is of immense charm, it has wide streets, gracious building including black and white timber frame...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in East Sussex
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Rye Station(0.6 miles, 0.9 km)
Winchelsea Station(2.6 miles, 4.1 km, direction SW)
Lydd Airport(9.3 miles, 15.0 km, direction E)
M20 Junction 10(14.5 miles, 23.4 km, direction NE)
M20 Junction 9(15.0 miles, 24.1 km, direction N)
London Gatwick Airport(41.7 miles, 67.2 km, direction W)
Playden to London(53.0 miles, 85.3 km, direction NW)

Hotels & Accommodation in Playden

Hotel NameApproximate distance from Playden center
Rye Lodge Hotel(0.7 miles, 1.2 km)
The George In Rye(0.8 miles, 1.3 km)
The Hope Anchor(0.9 miles, 1.4 km)
Flackley Ash Hotel(2.6 miles, 4.1 km, direction NW)
New Inn(2.8 miles, 4.5 km, direction S)
Olde Moat House(7.7 miles, 12.5 km, direction NE)
The Brickwall Hotel(8.8 miles, 14.1 km, direction W)
Sedlescombe Golf Hotel(8.9 miles, 14.3 km, direction SW)
Little Silver Country Hotel(9.0 miles, 14.5 km, direction N)
Best Western London Beach Country Hotel & Golf Club(9.1 miles, 14.6 km, direction N)
All hotels in Playden

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