WHERE TO STAY
Landgate House
There's something instantly comforting about Landgate House. Steeped in history – it's in the shadow of Landgate Arch, Rye's only surviving medieval gateway to the main town – but with all the homely touches that wouldn't feel amiss in your BFF's place in Hackney. Hardware and furnishings from London's best architectural salvage specialists Retrouvius? Check. Bed in the master generous enough to sleep a family of five? Check. Walls covered in cheeky contemporary art, purloined from the best local (and London) gallerists? Check, check, check.
Follow their Instagram account and you'll discover that the property wasn't always this instaperfect. But it was never going to be a house flip situation for the current owners. They'd been searching for a place in the area, for their growing family to decamp from the capital, for a number of years. A passing mention of the property coming to market occurred at the local pub and it was a done deal less than 48 hours later.
The bones of the property were always good, with its smart Georgian inflections, but what’s been transformative is the level of detail given over to every nook and cranny – from the ochre-hued Zellige tiles above the cosy kitchen cooker to the cheeky splashes of colour on cornicing and woodwork. In short: it’s an interiors lover’s dream, and extremely handy given it’s less than 1.5 hours outside of London. Book now for that Twixmas break, peruse the owner’s local guide below and thank yourself later.
From £500 per night, two night minimum (camberholidaycottages.co.uk)
WHERE TO SHOP
McCully & Crane
Arguably the shop that started it all. Marcus Crane relocated to Rye from East London in the late Noughties with his husband Gareth McCully and a pack of rescue dogs. They set up what has now become one of the flagship stores of Rye, with a gallery intertwined with the shop.
Soap & Salvation
The chicest shop in Rye. Set in the old Salvation Army site, it's packed with decorative antique and vintage pieces, all sourced by Jo and Barrie, the husband and wife duo who run it. Think: furniture, textiles, ceramics, glassware, decorative objects, books and art.
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK
Ypres Castle Inn
Classic pub with a large garden, right by the Ypres Castle (duh). Also great for Londoners who need their Torres-cum-Perello fix.
Tillingham
The coolest vineyard in the UK and a destination in itself, on the right side of achingly cool. Natural wine, delicious cocktails, farm-to-plate food, outdoor pizza oven, summer BBQs, stylish bedrooms to suite the stylish guests.
WHAT TO SEE
Mermaid Street
One of the most photographed streets not just in Rye, but in England. Old as hell, with beautiful views out to the countryside, the cobbles lead you down to a collection of old kitchenalia shops, an ice-cream parlour and more (don't forget to stop half-way down for a pint in the definitely haunted Mermaid Inn).
Alex MacArthur Interiors
Set in an old monastery in the heart of Rye. It's not cheap but essential for mad and moody and gothic items. Large rhino anyone? It's by appointment only and well worth the visit for the building alone.
Whitehouse Rye
Run by female chef Rosie Bates with everything baked on site. Expect the freshest ingredients, from seasonal greens and whipped feta, to posh bacon sandwiches with chilli jam. Oh, and the cakes and pastries are so delicious you feel like you dreamt them into existence.
