I used to live down there. It's hard to find a good meal, but it's a good area to explore by car. Lots of pretty stuff to look at. There's tons of interesting history because that area has been our frontline for centuries. Lots of fortifications against Napoleon (e.g. the Royal Military Canal)...that sort of thing. But you'll need to do some reading to get the most out of it.
Winchelsea is nearby - interesting history - perhaps the first planned town built in the UK except for the Roman ones. But I don't think there's a museum or anything. A great butchers though. Occasionally sells squirrel.
The old bit of Rye is good for a walk - the bit with cobbled streets. Lots of antique shops and tea shops and a very old church. But I get fed up with Rye quite quickly - too many tourists and geriatrics for my liking.
I really like Dungeness - very odd atmosphere. Check out the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch railway. And Derek Jarman's house
http://www.dungeness-nnr.co.uk/history.php Don't bother with Lydd - it's a shithole.
Camber Sands has the warmest sea to swim in that I know of (in Britain) if you go to the bit behind the golf club. Sometimes it's as warm as a swimming pool. Take a picnic there. You'll have acres of beach to yourself if you walk as far west as you can go. Doesn't take long. I can recommend some crafty free parking to minimise the walk.
For a good long country walk you can do Winchelsea - Udimore - Peasmarsh - Winchelsea. It's lovely. I used to take friends there. You'll need an Ordnance Survey map. It includes a public footpath which goes across Paul McCartney's place and through a wood with wild boar in it. You won't see any boar, but you'll see their hoofprints.
I'm a bit out of date regarding pubs. The Two Sawyers at Pett used to be the best - there was a microbrewery across the car park. But it's had a few problems and may not be open.
To get there (or back) take the M20, get off around Ashford and wiggle your way to Rye via Woodchurch and Appledore. Then follow the Royal Military Canal to Rye. Try to imagine how the area was when the marshes were all sea. There used to be lots of ferries linking all the bits that poked out of the water.
To get back (or get there) pick up the A21 near Hastings. You could stop off at Bodiam Castle. Should you have the misfortune to go through Flimwell, visualise me driving a 3 wheel milk float there every morning in 1980!
If any of the above appeals I can give more details.