Camber Castle

Camber Castle is one of Henry VIII's Device Forts, also known as Henrician Castles, built to protect the huge Rye anchorage. It is approximately 2 km south of Rye and 2 km northeast of Winchelsea.

Between 1512 and 1514 Sir Edward Guldeford built a circular tower to defend the harbour. This tower was incorporated into a new fort which was built between 1539 and 1544. It was expanded to become a highly symmetrical artillery fort. The original tower was augmented with four outer towers linked by an octagonal wall concealing a covered passage. Part of this construction was directed by Stefan von Haschenperg. Finally, four large D-shaped bastions serving as gun platforms were placed in front of the earlier towers. As the shoreline receded south the height of the central tower was raised in order to maintain the range of the castle's cannon.

However by the end of the 16th century the silting of the Camber made the castle largely obsolete and in 1637 it was disbanded.

It is now owned by English Heritage after being taken over by the state in 1967. It opened to the public in 1994 after the walls were re-pointed in order to stabilise them. There are guided walks round Rye Harbour Nature Reserve most months in the summer, which include the castle and local farm; but it is best to call before visiting to check that it is open. It is managed by Rye Harbour Nature Reserve.