View of the stone-paved Mermaid Street with the Mermaid Inn Restaurant and Pub, dating from the 12th (Image: Getty Images)
There aren’t many places that feel as though you’ve stepped directly into the scene of a storybook, but one town is perhaps the most enchanting of all.
Nestled near the coast of East Sussex is the medieval and picture-postcard town of Rye, characterised by its cobbled lanes and half-timbered buildings. However, it’s notably famed for its Mermaid Street – one of England’s most photographed streets.
The picturesque lane is winding, cobblestones and lined with pretty, well-preserved medieval homes from Tudor and Georgian bygone eras, with ivy climbing the half-timbered facades and wall lanterns lighting the storybook scene. There’s a unique white, wonky house with two front doors, and another abode known for its charming seat against colourful flowerbeds that sit outside the ancient buildings.
Mermaid Street in Rye is known as one of England’s most photographed streets (Image: Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Another highlight along the iconic street is the 600-year-old The Mermaid Inn, with its exposed wooden beams, large open fireplace and traditional interiors. There are cosy rooms for visitors, the Linen Fold Panelled Restaurant with a two AA Rosette status, the Giants Fireplace Bar, the Tudor Bar and a scenic walled patio for those warmer evenings.
The 12th-century inn has often been considered one of the most haunted hotels in the UK, and has even featured on the TV series, Most Haunted. Yet a stay here can’t go amiss, even if it’s stopping by for a pint, with its undeniable charm and award-winning dining fit for a king.
Elsewhere in the town, there are cosy pubs, including Rye Waterworks Micropub, and boutique hotels, along with independent galleries and shops. A stop by Rye Chocolates in its white and black medieval facade is a must while exploring the town, along with Rye Pottery and Grammar School Records, which has been dubbed one of the UK’s best second-hand music shops.
There’s a unique house on Mermaid Street with two front doors (Image: Getty Images)
For those days exploring, there are cafés and tearooms for a refreshing break, including the delightful The Cobbles Tea Room, for that quintessential afternoon tea, or The Fig for a spot of brunch. Grounded is another standout coffeehouse, or The Old Grain Store, not far from the River Brede that runs through Rye.
The town is also home to the National Trust property, Lamb House, which operates as a writers’ museum, having been home to acclaimed authors such as Henry James, E. F. Benson, and Rumer Godden. Visitors can even wander the streets where E. F. Benson’s series, the Mapp and Lucia, was set, so you’re literally at the heart of a novel.
For a look into the town’s history, there’s the Rye Castle Museum, or to admire Rye from above, travellers can climb the steps to the bell tower at St Mary’s Church. For nature enthusiasts, the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve is just a short drive from the town centre and a haven for spotting wildlife.
The town is home to The Mermaid Inn Hotel and Pub (Image: Dukas/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
With Rye situated near the East Sussex coast, the golden shores of Camber Sands, set against grass-covered sand dunes, are just a 10-minute drive away. It’s a haven for walks along the coast, windsurfing or kite flying, without an arcade or pier insight, but simply, it’s breathtaking and the natural surroundings of the British shoreline.
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