
Quick info
About The Ypres Castle Inn
The Ypres Castle Inn is a wooden-clad pub in Rye, on Gungarden, dating back to the 17th century. Its large garden looks out over the salt marshes, Rye harbour and Ypres Tower, and a fireplace sits inside. The bar serves real ales on handpump, including Kent Brewery ales, along with a cider and a mix of local and German beers. This is a drinks-focused pub with no kitchen and no hot food, so the only eating is bar snacks such as pork pies, cobs and tinned olives. Dogs are welcome.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention large walled beer garden, local cask ales, bar snacks and pork pies and cozy fireplace.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention large walled beer garden, local cask ales, bar snacks and pork pies and cozy fireplace.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the large beer garden, with views over the salt marshes and Rye harbour toward Ypres Tower, and describe it as great on a sunny day. Close behind is the draw on tap, with local and German beers, a Kent brewery session ale, Brinkhoffs and Rathaus pilsners, and real ales and a cider on handpump. The fireplace, the historic setting and the locals chatting also come up, and the bar snacks, pork pies, cobs and tinned olives get praise, though several stress there is no kitchen and it is not a food destination. Access is down steep steps, and one reviewer notes only one cask ale was on a Sunday evening. The sharpest complaint comes from a parent who says the landlord seemed strange around children and made families feel uncomfortable if kids made a sound or got in the way of regulars. Others describe the landlord as welcoming and always up for a chat, and one bartender took time to recommend a local brew.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the large beer garden, with views over the salt marshes and Rye harbour toward Ypres Tower, and describe it as great on a sunny day. Close behind is the draw on tap, with local and German beers, a Kent brewery session ale, Brinkhoffs and Rathaus pilsners, and real ales and a cider on handpump. The fireplace, the historic setting and the locals chatting also come up, and the bar snacks, pork pies, cobs and tinned olives get praise, though several stress there is no kitchen and it is not a food destination. Access is down steep steps, and one reviewer notes only one cask ale was on a Sunday evening. The sharpest complaint comes from a parent who says the landlord seemed strange around children and made families feel uncomfortable if kids made a sound or got in the way of regulars. Others describe the landlord as welcoming and always up for a chat, and one bartender took time to recommend a local brew.
Featured reviews
- THOMAS COHN
“The landlord of this pub is very very strange around children, as has been noted by another reviewer. If you have kids, go somewhere else or you'll be made of to feel uncomfortable if they make a sound or get in the way of one of his more valued customers. No doubt I'll get an overboard response from the owner.”
- Louis Walter
“Excellent authentic pub offering first class drinks with a wide range of bar snacks. It is a traditional drinks focused pub and therefore does not operate a kitchen, it is a pub, not a restaurant. Well worth a visit.”
- Robert Orchard
“Great selection of local beers and ciders and bar snacks and the best tinned olives around. Lovely view of Rye harbour from the large beer garden. Great on a summer's day. Great anyday! Landlord always up for a good chat”
- Ravi Edwards
“We stopped by The Ypres Castle Inn for an afternoon drink before exploring Rye and it turned out to be the perfect place to start our visit. This cosy, characterful pub dates back several hundred years and has plenty of charm, both inside and out. The beer garden was particularly enjoyable at the end of June, offering a relaxed spot to sit and unwind. The bartender was friendly, knowledgeable and took the time to recommend a local brew, which was much appreciated. What stood out most was the atmosphere. The pub seemed to cater effortlessly to everyone, from couples and families with children to larger groups and solo visitors. Despite being busy, it felt welcoming and relaxed throughout. Its location is another major plus. Just a short walk from Rye Castle and the town's famous winding streets, it makes an ideal place to stop for a drink before, during or after exploring Rye. Whether you're looking to refuel, take a break or simply soak up some local character, The Ypres Castle Inn is well worth a visit.”
- Harry Taylor
“It's rare you can walk into a pub in a town you've never been to before, and immediately be given such a welcome that you feel like you could be one of the locals. We popped in during the England v Panama game, and Jeff the landlord gave us a great welcome (aided by his support of South Shields, speaking as a Kidderminster fan). The place had a great atmosphere, good selection of beer, and everyone seemed to know each other. They had cobs and a pork pie on sale for those so snack minded. A great pub, run really well, with good staff - the beer garden is worth a look in nice weather too. Highly recommend.”
Hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- Closed
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“Independent pub in Rye, Sussex, England. Great beer, cider and wine. Big green garden. Log fire. Open Thur to Sun. Pax et cerevisia✌️🍻 * Please ignore very old images of food / menus added years ago by users on google, which we can’t remove: this pub hasn’t served food since October 2020 and we have no plans to do so again! *”
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
Amenities
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Dine-in
- Alcohol
- Cozy
Show more amenities
- Beer
- Food
- Restroom
- Romantic
- Offerings· 2
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Dining options· 1
- Seating
- Highlights· 2
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Atmosphere· 1
- Casual
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
Location
Bars near The Ypres Castle Inn
- The Globe Inn Marsh Rye4.51,7140.4 mi£20–40ReservationsOutdoor seatingGood for kids
lamb dishes, fishcake, breakfast served in pan
- The White Hart - Queensway Inns3.91,5746.5 mi away
steak cooked to order, mixed grill, bbq pork ribs
- The Dolphin Inn4.61,0449 mi away£10–20Reservations
fish and chips, cask ales selection, monday fish n chip night deal
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Ypres Castle InnReservations · Outdoor seating | 4.51,028 | — | £10–20 | large walled beer garden, local cask ales, bar snacks and pork pies |
| The Globe Inn Marsh RyeReservations · Outdoor seating · Good for kids | 4.51,714 | 0.4 mi | £20–40 | lamb dishes, fishcake, breakfast served in pan |
| The White Hart - Queensway Inns | 3.91,574 | 6.5 mi away | — | steak cooked to order, mixed grill, bbq pork ribs |
| The Dolphin InnReservations | 4.61,044 | 9 mi away | £10–20 | fish and chips, cask ales selection, monday fish n chip night deal |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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