Located in the Rother district of East Sussex, the historic town of Rye has long captivated visitors and served as a sought-after filming location for numerous television and cinema productions.

Perched two miles from the English Channel, the town sits at the confluence of three rivers: the Rother, Tillingham and Brede.

The community has earned recognition as one of the region’s most attractive destinations, with its medieval architecture and cobbled streets providing an authentic period backdrop that has drawn production companies for decades.

In September, Rye town centre underwent a transformation to represent Meryton, the fictional village central to Jane Austen’s narrative, for a new six-part Netflix adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.

Production crews occupied the location for several days, converting local streets and historic facades to replicate a Georgian-era setting.

Actors and supporting performers were observed dressed in period attire as filming progressed.

Principal photography on the series commenced in July 2025, with additional shooting taking place at Spitalfields in London’s East End and the Peak District region of Derbyshire.

The adaptation has been penned by author and columnist Dolly Alderton, with Welsh director Euros Lyn at the helm.

The project originates from Lookout Point, a production company operating under the BBC Studios banner, and holds a scheduled release window toward the end of 2026.

The cast features Emma Corrin portraying Elizabeth Bennet, while Jack Lowden takes on the role of Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy.

The novel, originally published in 1813, chronicles Elizabeth Bennet’s journey toward understanding the consequences of hasty judgment and her gradual recognition of the distinction between surface appearances and authentic virtue.

Beyond this recent Netflix project, Rye has established itself as a favoured location within the film and television industry.

The medieval streets and centuries-old structures have accommodated period dramas and various screen productions over the years.

An unrelated BBC drama titled Miss Austen, exploring the early life of author Jane Austen, utilised Rye’s locations during 2024 filming.

The town’s High Street also stood in for a 1970s Scottish town during the third series of a programme starring Helena Bonham Carter as Princess Margaret.

Netflix’s Black Mirror anthology series filmed sequences in Rye town centre during its sixth season, repurposing local surroundings to depict an alternate 1960s American setting.

Earlier productions captured along Rye Bay and the nearby Camber Sands coastline include The Longest Day, The Invisible Woman and Dunkirk.

Visitors to the town find an array of attractions beyond its screen credentials.

The Rye Heritage Centre and Rye Castle Museum offer insights into local history, while Rye Castle itself provides additional historical exploration opportunities.

Lamb House, formerly the residence of American author Henry James, remains another point of interest.

Cultural venues include the Kino Cinema, housed within a converted Victorian library adjacent to the Town Hall and offering film screenings alongside café-bar facilities.

Mermaid Street, frequently cited among the nation’s most visually appealing thoroughfares, draws those seeking picturesque surroundings.

Outdoor activities abound at Rye Nature Reserve, where footpaths traverse saltmarsh and shingle environments with perspectives toward Camber Sands and the cliff formations of Hastings Country Park.

Retail opportunities include antique establishments and the local Rye Pottery workshop.

Full Throttle Boat Charters operates excursions from the area, while Rye Watersports provides instruction in windsurfing, dinghy sailing and paddleboarding.