The pretty English town of Rye makes the perfect weekend escape, whether you’re heading to the coast in summer or hunkering down next to a fire in the winter. A hodge-podge of medieval buildings and historic townhouses line the quaint cobbled streets, winding their way down to the harbour and river mouth before it makes its way out to the nearby sea. The small town was once a small fishing community, almost entirely surrounded by water, before becoming a protected port for trading, and later smuggling. Once home to Henry James and visited often by Rudyard Kipling, today you’ll find a quietly cultured, artistic scene, with independent cafes, stylish restaurants with rooms and antique shops aplenty.
In this Rye travel guide, I’ve gathered together a selection of my favourite local shops and cafes, if you fancy a leisurely potter around this charming, quintessentially British town.
Rye travel guide
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK
– Whitehouse Rye – whitehouserye.co.uk – a modern all day eatery and in-house bakery with six bed & breakfast rooms for overnight guests
– Knoops – knoops.co.uk – pick up a cup of their famous hot chocolate to warm you up while you walk around the cobbled lanes of Rye
– The Fig – thefigrye.com – a relaxed cafe serving fresh, vibrant brunch dishes during the day and small plates and cocktails in the evening
– Tillingham – tillingham.com – a short drive from Rye, this 13th century farmstead offers natural wine and seasonal food, with 11 cosy rooms housed in a converted hop barn
WHERE TO SHOP
– Soap & Salvation – soapandsalvation.com – a stunning, light-filled store housed in an old Salvation Army chapel dating back to 1903, selling a selection of antiques, vintage artwork, handmade baskets, books and more
– Sailors – sailorsofrye.com – a beautifully curated store offering sustainable unisex clothing and homeware geared towards a slow living lifestyle
– Rae – raelifestyle.com – founded by Alexa and Eduardo in 2020 with a focus on rustic vintage homewares and modern independent makers. Don’t forget to pick up a coffee while you’re there!
– Puckhaber – puckhaberdecorativeantiques.com – a generous, double-fronted shop with unusual antiques, handmade ceramics, cosy blankets and my favourite FRAMA fragrances
– Duck and Dog – @duck__and__dog – a home and lifestyle shop with a pared-back and effortlessly elegant The White Company style aesthetic
– Hunter Jones – hunterjonesstore.co.uk – a tiny shop with a lovely selection of home fragrances and handmade ceramics
Rye travel guide
WHERE TO STAY
– The Gallivant – thegallivant.co.uk – a relaxed, boutique, seaside hotel over the dunes from Camber Sands beach and a 15 minute drive away from Rye. They serve free English wine every day at 5pm and there’s a mini Bamford spa
– Tillingham – tillingham.com – here you’ll find 11 stylish rooms and two bell tents, without a TV in sight – instead enjoy the countryside views with a side of natural wine
– Whitehouse – whitehouserye.co.uk – six minimalist, pared back rooms with convenient Nespresso machines for your morning coffee
– The George – thegeorgeinrye.com – a cosy pub dating back to the 16th century, with newly refurbished bedrooms, right in the heart of Rye
– The Fig – thefigrye.com – this restaurant offers four adults-only bedrooms, each inspired by a different interior style, from mid century modern design to the Art Deco movement
– St John – domstay.com – a four bedroom home housed in an old ambulance station – one for the architecture lovers
