Filled with beautiful cobbled lanes like Mermaid Street, with endless medieval, half-timbered houses, exploring Rye feels like stepping back in time, where every corner looks as though it could be a scene from a storybook. Not only does it feel like you’ve stepped into a book, but the town in East Sussex was also home to the famous American author Henry James, who resided in the iconic red-brick Lamb House. Known for his literary works such as the gothic horror novella, The Turn of the Screw, set in a remote country home, and The Portrait of a Lady, James lived in Rye from 1898 until his death in 1916.
The town has been hailed in the past as the UK’s best seaside town. While considered by many as a seaside town thanks to its harbour, Rye is actually located about two miles from the English Channel. Originally a thriving fishing port, it played a pivotal role in England’s maritime history as one of the Cinque Ports, a group of coastal towns designated to support England’s defence during the medieval period.
In the 13th century, Rye also gained notoriety as a pirate haven, and by the 18th century, it had earned a reputation as the smuggling capital of the country.
The infamous Hawkhurst Gang frequented Rye’s historic inns, such as the Mermaid Inn, and secret tunnels are said to have been used for smuggling.
Today, Rye retains its medieval atmosphere with well-preserved buildings, historic lanes and landmarks, including the redbrick Lamb House, the Rye Castle Museum, where visitors can delve into the town’s rich history all while overlooking the River Rother and Romney Marsh.
St. Mary’s Church also boasts the oldest functioning turret clock in the country with breathtaking views of Rye and the surrounding countryside.
Just a short distance from Rye is the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, with hundreds of bird species, coastal paths, and seals as well as Camber Sands, a beautiful stretch of sandy beach surrounded by dunes.
Make sure to visit the 600-year-old Mermaid Inn while in Rye with its 2 AA Rosette Restaurant and the Giant’s Fireplace Bar.
It is famously associated with the “Rye Smugglers”, who are believed to have used secret passages and hidden rooms to transport contraband goods through the town, and the inn tells many tales of pirates, smugglers and even ghosts.
One TripAdvisor user said about Rye: “A must see little village with quaint little shops and lots of history. Great places to eat and pubs to check out.”
Mike, from Glossop, wrote: “The whole town is something of a time warp. Almost every building is an interesting little gem. Worth having a wander around all the main streets.”
Someone else described it as a “retro townscape reminiscent of a picture book”.
You can get a train from London to Rye in just over an hour.
