BRIDGE POINT BRIDGE POINT I 1 2 I BRIDGE POINT BRIDGE POINT I 3 BRIDGE POINT, RYE A collection of contemporary townhouses. Bridge Point, a luxury collection of five contemporary townhouses, is situated in the Rock Channel area of the Ancient and Cinque Port Town of Rye. Built in materials reflecting the Town’s maritime history the cedar-clad houses offer stylish waterside living just a few minutes walk away from the Citadel with its cobbled streets, 12th Century church and an eclectic mix of individual shops, cafes, restaurants and boutique hotels. The three storey coastal homes are finished to a high specification, including bespoke kitchens and built-in storage. Large glass-fronted open plan living areas frame the ever changing natural landscape with views of the river and beyond. Comfort and simplicity are the key elements in the design of the stylish interiors using timeless, natural, materials of oak, stone and glass. Ecologically, their energy efficiency is assured with under floor heating throughout, solar panels and a Hive type remote control system for the gas central heating. On the ground floor there is parking for two vehicles one of which is under cover and fronting the river is a utility and storage area. Built by Martello Developments Ltd, Bridge Point is part of a wider proposed development scheme, which will offer additional river front homes, open green spaces and a Creative Arts Complex including artist studios, performance rehearsal space and an art library. 4 I BRIDGE POINT BRIDGE POINT I 5 THE HISTORY Steeped in history, Rye is one of the original Cinque a jazz festival, which attracts acclaimed musicians and Ports. The ancient Landgate Arch welcomes you to the artists to the many venues including the stunning St medieval town with characterful buildings jostling for Mary’s Church. Further afield, amongst the fishing huts position along its cobbled streets, offering tantalising on the beach front of Hastings Old Town is the acclaimed glimpses of gardens and courtyards and even ancient Jerwood Gallery, which runs a vibrant exhibition interiors. The 14th Century Church of St Mary forms programme of modern and contemporary British art. the famous silhouette of Rye that beckons its many visitors to experience the romance and magic. Once FOOD & DRINK surrounded by sea, this fortified hilltop town played an important role in the defence of the south coast There is an abundance of individual cafes, restaurants of England. These days, the river no longer harbours and hotels including the famous Mermaid Hotel with warships and is home to pleasure boats and the local its giant inglenook fireplace. In the High Street, The fishing fleet. George in Rye hotel has an award-winning restaurant with a Georgian ballroom complete with painted silk SUNSHINE COAST wall panels. The Kino, Rye, is more than just an art house cinema it is also a place to meet for coffee, Blessed with its own microclimate, it is temperate and lunch or a sociable drink. Many of the restaurants one of the sunniest places in England. The coastal take part in the annual ‘Scallop Festival’ in the spring, path from the nature reserve at Rye Harbour takes you the ‘Maritime Festival’ in the summer and ’Wild Boar along the shingle beach through Pett Level to the Old Week’ in the autumn. Town of Hastings to the west and to the east, the vast expanse of sandy beach at Camber. Inland is the large ACTIVITIES expanse of countryside along Romney Marsh, with many picturesque towns and villages. Sporting facilities in the area include a leisure centre with a 25m pool, a prestigious lawn tennis club ARTS & CULTURE with eight grass courts, sailing at Rye Harbour and numerous golf courses within a 15-mile radius. Rye For centuries, Rye has been an inspiration for artists, is also located on the edges of the High Weald area poets and writers. Anthony van Dyck, JMW Turner and of outstanding natural beauty and Romney Marsh as John Everett Millais were inspired to paint the town and well as being a short drive from seven miles of sandy its surrounding landscape, whilst Paul Nash, Edward beach and dunes, affording local residents many fine Burra, Henry James, E.F Benson and Rumer Godden countryside and coastal walks. For the more active called Rye home. The Rye Art Gallery, established in the there are watersports including windsurfing and kite late 1950s houses an impressive permanent collection surfing. and exhibits work by local artists. Each summer and autumn Rye hosts an international arts festival and also 6 I BRIDGE POINT BRIDGE POINT I 7 AROUND AND ABOUT SHOPPING Rye has many independent shops. There are boutiques for clothing and accessories, bookstores and a family-owned supermarket in the centre of the town. There is also a weekly farmer’s market selling local fish, meat, fruit and vegetables in addition to a weekly general market. The Strand Quay area has many quirky antique and collectables stores. Further afield, some nine miles away, is Tenterden, which has a Waitrose and a Tesco supermarket and in the long High Street there is a large selection of independent shops and restaurants. Hastings is 14 miles away and has a selection of major chain stores. In the Old Town there are many independent shops, galleries and a wonderful fish market with a range of fishmongers selling fresh catch direct from the local fishing fleet. SIGHTSEEING Apart from enjoying the glorious countryside there are numerous places of Historical interest right on the doorstep. Battle is only 13 miles away and home to Battle Abbey, an English Heritage property and site of the Battle of Hastings in 1066. There are many National Trust houses and historic gardens close by including Great Dixter in nearby Northiam the home and gardens of the late Sir Christopher Lloyd, the gardens at Sissinghurst, created by Vita Sackville-West, Rudyard Kipling’s home, Batemens in Burwash and Smallhythe Place, home to Actress Dame Ellen Terry which boasts a small theatre with public summer performances. In the centre of Rye is Lamb House, home to one of America’s greatest authors, Henry James. The building has just undergone a major renovation by the National Trust is now open five days a week. Bodiam Castle is only a few miles away and often stages reenactments of battles and medieval jousting matches. LOCAL PRODUCE Romney Marsh has always been famous for its sheep and wool but the quality of the local beef (Sussex cattle) the huge range of seafood and local cheese makes it a foodie’s delight. Additionally, wine makers are flocking to East Sussex and Kent. Sussex sparkling wine has just been granted protected regional status (PDO) in recognition of the quality of the ‘methode champenoise’ wines which are seeing off French Champagne in international blind tastings. Sussex is set to become as well known for its wines as regions such as Bordeaux and Tuscany. Fields of vines are popping up all over the local landscape and many such as Gusbourne and Chapel Down offer tours and tastings. 8 I BRIDGE POINT BRIDGE POINT I 9 EDUCATION CLAREMONT SCHOOL HAWKHURST PRE-SCHOOL 1-18 years 2-5 years Claremont is a thriving, co-educated day and boarding Set within the pretty village of Hawkhurst in the grounds school for children from the age of one to eighteen. of Hawkhurst Church of England primary School, our The Nursery Pre-Pre and Preparatory School was superbly equipped building and wlarge outside space established in St Leonard’s–on–Sea in 1925 in beautiful allows us to provide for children aged form 2-5 years 100 acre grounds, while the Senior School and Sixth with the very best introduction to learning’. Form at Bodiam developed more recently in response to the success of the prep school. BATTLE ABBEY SCHOOL www.claremontschool.co.uk Nursery to Sixth form ST RONANS, HAWKHURST The school manages to blend traditional values to new innovative thinking in teaching and learning. The 3-13 years glimpse of its enchanting gatehouse tells you that it Saint Ronan’s is a co-educational Preparatory School is not only a historically significant place but also a for boys and girls from 3 to 13 years. It is a day and school that has incomparable character. flexi boarding school and was named Tatler’s UK Prep www.battleabbeyschool.com School of the Year for 2018. The School maintains a traditional family feel, but also has the best of modern facilities and innovative teaching. The School is set in 250 acres of idyllic Wealden Countryside and is easily accessible from Rye. www.saintronans.co.uk 10 I BRIDGE POINT BRIDGE POINT I 11 BETHERSDEN SCHOOL CRANBROOK SCHOOL ‘A small village primary school with 5 wonderful classes 11-18 years but with plans to grow and have a fantastic team of ‘A selective school for boys and girls form 11-18 years teachers and Learning Support Assistants who are old. Respect, Aspire, Achieve’. highly skilled in providing a challenging and relevant www.cranbrookschool.co.uk curriculum.’ www.bethersden.kent. ROBERTSBRIDGE BUCKSWOOD SCHOOL COMMUNITY COLLEGE 11-18 years 11-16 years At Buckswood education is a personal journey. Every Child is different and they recognise and value talent ‘At Robertsbridge Community College, we have wherever it chooses to form in a child be it on the the highest educational standards and highest sports field, in the science labs or in the stroke of a expectations for achievement’. paintbrush. www.buckswood.co.uk www.robertsbridge.org.uk BATTLE ABBEY SCHOOL VINEHALL SCHOOL RYE COMMUNITY COLLEGE 2-13 years 11-16 years Vinehall is a co-educational day/boarding school and Our college is set in the attractive heart of 1066 nursery for children aged 2 – 13 years.