I think that Littlestone is highly underrated and Rye highly overrated. If I lived in the area and had the option, I know which club I would join.
Rich
PS--both are great courses and I put RCPD between them but closer (on the upside) to Littlestone.
PPS--until I played Rye for the second time 2-3 years ago, I ranked it much higher based on my then first and only trip to the place in 1981. After playing it with an addiitonal 30 years experience (and Littlestone and RCPD several times) I concluded that there was less there, there, (not a tyop--viz Gertrude Stein and Oakland) than many other great courses in the world.
PPPS--Sandwich, of course, is the true gem of the SE England coast--golf wise, at least.
rfg