Rye House Gatehouse

Rye House Gatehouse, Rye House Quay, Rye Road, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire EN11 0EH

Open selected days throughout the year -

please see plan a visit tab

Discover the history and hauntings of one of England's first brick built houses

info@leevalleypark.org.uk

03000 030 610

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Facilities

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How to get here

You can plan your journey to the site using Google maps – click on the site in the map to discover more.

Car parking

Car parking at Rye House Gatehouse is free. Other car parks in the area may charge. See the list of our car parks and the charges here.

Opening dates and times

Open days will be returning in 2025 - keep an eye out for our new dates

Prices

Free to visit the grounds
Admission - Free (suggested donation £1 per person that will be used to help with the upkeep of this historic building).
Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult

Group bookings to be made by prior arrangement on 03000 030 610 charge of £50 applies.

Dogs

Dogs are allowed on the grounds but unfortunatly not allowed in the house.

Picnic spots

There's great open spaces you can lay down a blanket and spread yourself out.

Things to do near by

Just down the road you will find Rye Mead Nature Reserve, where you can walk and enjoy watching nature in the local area. Across the road is the The Rye House pub where you can get some lunch during your day out.

Toilets

The closest public toilets are at The Rye House pub.

Things nearby

Amwell nature reserve

Once a gravel pit, today a haven bustling with wildlife all year round

View of the river with house boats and people walking up the tow path

River Lee Country Park

1,000 acre park crossing over Essex and Hertfordshire packed full of fun, flora and fauna

Watersports

With clubs and centres in the park that offer a range of different watersports you can try

Dobbs Weir

Explore the numerous walking routes and waterways with a campsite near by

Rye Meads Nature Reserve

This stunning nature reserve is run by RSPB and is close to Rye House Gatehouse

Lee Valley Caravan Park, Dobbs Weir

Set in the heart of River Lee Country Park, this campsite is the perfect pitch for outdoor adventures

Walking and running

There's lots of different routes you can take when exploring the park - pick yours today

The Gatehouse is in some ways an example of medieval bling – as part of one of the first brick built houses in the country and boasting outstanding decoration, this was a structure that was meant to project power, prestige and wealth.

The detail and craftsmanship you’ll see in features like the oriel windows and stonework are outstanding. Climb the winding stairs to the viewing platform and you can also appreciate the amazing barley twist chimney.

And whilst you’re here, visit the nearby Rye House Quay on the River Lee Navigation – a lovely spot to linger in or to have your picnic!

The history of Rye House Gatehouse dates back to 1443 and has been home to royalty, ghosts and an assassination attempt! Now the Gatehouse is a Grade I listed building featuring high-quality diaper brickwork and a ‘barley sugar twist’ chimney as well as a string of underground chambers or dungeons.

The Rye House: An Investigative History

With nearly 600 years of history, involving a plot, intrigue and paranormal activity, it’s surprising that no one has ever written the definitive history of the Rye House in Hertfordshire. The Rye House – An Investigative History aims to do just that.

Through meticulous research, Phil Holland has written this fascinating account, taking the reader from the house’s 15th origins, through to Tudor times when Catherine Parr spent part of her childhood there; to the Rye House Plot to assassinate King Charles II and the Duke of York in 1683; to the widely reported paranormal activity and apparitions; and finally to the present day.

The Gatehouse is all that remains of the 15th century brick-built fortified manor house. It’s a Grade I listed building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument and as such is protected by law. The moated enclosure is considered to be one of the finest examples of the period in Hertfordshire.

It’s hoped that this book will enthuse people about the Gatehouse and the history of the Rye House, and that they in turn will come to treasure the building and recognise its importance as a piece of our country’s history

BUY YOUR COPY TODAY available from Amazon in paperback

About the Author

With a passion for both natural history and history, Phil Holland has worked as a hedgerow/habitat management contractor for 25 years and with the Lee Valley Regional Park ranger team on a part-time basis for the past 10 years. He first became involved with the Rye House Gatehouse in 2013 and from this beginning his interest in the building s history has developed. His diligent research into the history of the Rye House is testimony to his enthusiasm for the building's and his love of history.