Rye House Gatehouse was one of the first brick built buildings in the country. The house formed the hub of what was a large estate for its time. Rye House is also known as one of the finest medieval moated sites in Hertfordshire.

Rye House Gatehouse is a grade 1 listed building

It is also an important place in the countries history, the Rye House Plot – the unsuccessful attempt to assassinate King Charles II. In its time the Gatehouse has been a workhouse and a place in the Victoiran era where people came to enjoy landscaped gardens, banquets and the delights of the countryside.
 
Rye House has had a varied and vibrant history.  Habitation of the area can be traced back as far as Saxon times and there being a settlement on the site known then as ‘atter eye’ Saxon for ‘at the island’.
 
It is most noted for the construction of a fortified manor house on ‘the Island of Rye’ by Sir Andrew Ogard an ex-patriot Dane in 1443. It is one of the first buildings constructed using brick in this country and the house formed the hub of what was a large estate for its time. Rye House is also known as one of the finest medieval moated sites in Hertfordshire and is a Grade I listed building.
 
Inside the building there is a staffed information point and visitors can discover the history of the Gatehouse through various displays.  There is also a a winding staircase which takes you to a viewing platform where you can take a close look at a fine example of a “Barley Sugar” chimney, along with views looking over the Lee and Stort valleys.

Further details about the Rye House Gatehouse  can be found on the Lee Valley Regional Park website

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