The Town Hall

The Town Hall, dated 1742-1743, was designed by Andrew Jelfe. It is a two-storey and attic building with five windows. Constructed of red brick, it features Portland stone dressings, long and short quoins, a string course above the ground floor, and a cornice with modillions above the first floor. A high brick parapet has its own cornice, with stone caps at each end and the coat of arms of Rye, also in Portland stone, set in the centre, surmounted by a broken pediment. A cupola is positioned on the centre of the roof. The windows are set within Portland stone surrounds, having segmental heads and keystones.

The ground floor originally formed an open narthex with an arcade of square Portland stone columns and arches with keystones. However, two bays have been in-filled: the centre one accommodates a fire engine, and the easternmost one houses the Magistrates' Room. Two doorways lead to the Council Chamber on the first floor, the westernmost featuring fluted Doric pilasters and an entablature, while the easternmost has plain pilasters and a round arch. The first-floor Council Chamber is panelled. Small attic rooms are located above. A Portland stone sundial dated 1831 is situated on the first floor of the rear staircase wing.

The Town Hall forms a group with Durrant House (Nos. 3 to 7, consecutive) and La Rochelle, on East Street.