I lately spent a weekend in Rye with my dad and mom and younger son. We had a fantastic few days stress-free on this charming little city and wandering round making an attempt out among the greatest locations to eat and drink. We additionally stayed at the most effective Airbnbs I’ve ever seen – test it out…
In the event you’re on the lookout for a weekend getaway that is each quirky and stuffed with character, you may’t go mistaken with a visit to Rye. Guests flock to Rye for its boutique purchasing, outdated cobbled streets and fairly countryside scenes with half-timbered homes. It is simply so lovely!
In addition to having lots to see, there may be additionally lots to do in Rye.
Here is what my dad and mom, my two-year-old son and I did over the weekend in Rye to encourage your future weekend in East Sussex.
Weekend within the Rye program
What to do in Rye for two days of enjoyable. The place to eat, drink, be and sleep.
Friday afternoon/night in Rye
We arrived in Rye after a 2-3 hour drive from Portsmouth and parked in The Strand automotive park, strategically chosen close to The Mermaid Avenue Cafe for a celebratory ice cream. Right here you may benefit from the cafe downstairs and outdoors, or the restaurant and licensed bar upstairs.
Subsequent to the Strand automotive park you will note second hand retailers within the Previous Grain Shops. Talullah Rose and Halcyon Days had been two of my favorites – they provided all kinds of issues that I could not get a very good have a look at as a result of my consideration was fully on my enthusiastic youngster.
As soon as you’ve got exhausted them, you may wander down the cobbled avenue for a couple of minutes to The Mermaid Inn. This is likely one of the oldest pubs within the UK and a should cease in Rye. Final time I visited we simply loved the leaves exterior, nevertheless it was too chilly and too wintry for that – so we went for a glass of home wine by the hearth.
This was an effective way to settle into our weekend in Rye, with a very good window seat and watch the Rye vacationers go by. I feel I took fairly a number of photographs that day!
Come 4 o’clock and we had been able to test into our airbnb, just some minutes drive away. It was a cautious and cautious stroll down the cobbled avenue again to the automotive, however a enjoyable stroll admiring the homes alongside the way in which. We particularly favored the names of the homes ‘Home with bench’ and ‘Home reverse’ (Sirena Inn).
The place to remain in Rye
We stayed at this 70’s impressed airbnb, a couple of 10 minute stroll from the Excessive Avenue. We had 3 bedrooms, a big lavatory, a fantastic backyard and a kitchen and lounge for stress-free. Good for a day of leisure after a morning of sightseeing. It is the right location!
Study extra beneath!
Rye dinner at The Globe Inn Marsh
Only a brief stroll from our airbnb was The Globe Inn Marsh. Certainly one of Rye’s most beloved and extremely rated pubs. I reserved a desk for us for the primary evening, though they’ve walk-up tables.
Such a fantastic pub…
After some thought, contemplating that the chairs and tables had been totally different, we selected our place within the nook. Nice, as a result of it had a partition that was a kind of barrier for my little son that he knew he could not cross and stored his noise inside!
So first, cocktails, then superb seafood, fish and chorizo stew for me, and fish and chips for Reggie. Mother had scallops and beetroot salad, and pa had the catch of the day (sea bass).
In truth, we beloved the environment of The Globe Inn Marsh a lot that we returned once more the subsequent day. It was really easy from our airbnb on a chilly and wet weekend. All of us beloved it, so why not?!
The subsequent evening dad and I had beef burgers and mother and Reggie had fish and chips for the children. We had been all pleased with a jug of wine to clean it down!
A night in Raza
The Globe Inn hosts stay music nights, so test the listings on your date. However if you need a night social gathering, I counsel The Grapevine Champagne and Jazz Bar within the heart of Rye. They’ve a big selection of drinks and stay music 5 nights per week.
Saturday morning in Raza
Take a leisurely stroll by means of the historic quarter. Anticipate slim cobbled streets, picket homes and comfy little retailers – it is like stepping right into a storybook!
The place to go for a snack in Rye
The Fig is one in every of Rye’s hottest breakfast spots. Pleasant employees assist create a heat and alluring environment, and there is a tremendous menu with a wide variety of breakfast choices.
I went for the shakshuka, which was very filling and very tasty. The feta added creaminess, the peppers and onions added taste, the chorizo added smoky depth, and the bread was a enjoyable method to deliver all of it collectively. And the eggs had been completely cooked.
I ordered Reggie’s banana waffles and so they had been deliciously good. So fluffy. I might by no means personally order this as a result of the waffles are (often) all the time disappointing. Not these. He’s a fortunate boy!
Visiting The Fig was a very nice expertise and places you proper within the heart of Rye. It wasn’t low cost, however the perfect meals often is not!
Saturday afternoon in Rye
We wandered a bit to the lookout at The Fig, the place we tried to function the telescope, however with little success. We strolled previous the boutiques, with a short go to to the library for Reggie to run round and wreak havoc on.
Listed here are among the greatest issues to do in Rye over the weekend, although we’re again at our airbnb. I’ve accomplished all of these items on earlier visits…
Rye Fort Museum
Rye Fort Museum is positioned contained in the Ypres Tower. Benefit from the exhibitions that present the fascinating historical past of Rye. Climb to the highest of the tower for a surprising panorama of town and its environment.
Rye Harbor Nature Reserve
With its scenic trails and considerable wildlife, you may really feel a world away from the hustle and bustle at Rye Harbor Nature Reserve. See the sights, look out for uncommon chook species and let the soothing sounds of nature wash over you.
Camber Fort
Go to the magnificent ruins of Camber Fort. Take a leisurely stroll by means of the countryside, having fun with the peace whereas admiring the sturdy construction of the fortress. It is the right spot for a picnic, so pack some issues and benefit from the serenity of this historic gem.
Lamb Home
The Lamb Home is the right place to go to to be taught extra concerning the literary significance of Rye. Each Henry James and EF Benson lived right here – do not know who they’re? Quickly you’ll! Even in case you are not significantly considering them, there’s a good home and backyard to have a look at.
Extra purchasing in Rye
Rye has among the greatest boutiques on the South East Coast. Simply goal for the Excessive Avenue, Market Avenue and Lion Avenue to get pleasure from an eclectic vary of impartial retailers.
Cease by life-style store Sailors for its seashell soaps, regionally made candies and oyster shell candles. Rye Pottery sells ornamental pottery and is greatest identified for its hand-painted animals – decide up a novel piece when you’re right here!
To seek out one thing actually particular, take a look at Ethel Loves Me or Overlook Me Not, each nice locations for presents.
Knoops
In case you are a sizzling chocolate lover, Knoops is a should go to. This cozy cafe on Lion Avenue is thought for its large choice of connoisseur sizzling chocolate. Nonetheless, additionally they serve a scrumptious breakfast menu to gas your day. Get pleasure from a stack of fluffy pancakes, a hearty bacon sandwich or their well-known floor avocado and feta on sourdough toast. However please, have a sizzling chocolate!
The very best place to dine in Rye
As I mentioned above, we really simply returned to The Globe Inn Marsh for our second dinner. It’d sound a bit loopy, and I do not suppose I’ve ever accomplished it earlier than, nevertheless it was really easy and shut, and we loved it a lot, we simply thought – why not?
If you wish to solid your Rye internet just a little additional, how about one in every of these for a Rye weekend dinner?
- Webbe is at The Fish Café: This restaurant provides a premium eating expertise with a give attention to recent seafood dishes ready with native components.
- Juraj in wheat: In case you are on the lookout for the last word eating expertise, The George in Rye provides fashionable British delicacies in a refined setting. The menu contains seasonal dishes ready from high-quality native components. It’s positioned within the quick neighborhood of Smokva in one of many fundamental streets within the metropolis. In the event you can, cease by for afternoon tea!
- Hoof: In the event you’re within the temper for a steak, Hoof is the place for you. This steakhouse provides a choice of high-quality cuts grilled to perfection, together with a wide range of sides and sauces to enrich your meal. Additionally, the burgers and Freakshakes are epic!
Or, how about fish and chips to go at your airbnb? Marino’s Fish Bar is the the place to go should you love this delicacy greatest loved on the coast.
Sunday morning in Raza
Breakfast in Raza
You may deal with your self to a scrumptious breakfast in one in every of Rye’s charming cafes.
Cobbles tea home: Tucked away on West Avenue, Cobbles Tea Room is a pleasant little gem serving conventional English breakfasts with a smile and classic decor.
Runcible Spoon: An enthralling cafe that prides itself on its selfmade and native components. Their breakfast menu showcases a variety of scrumptious choices, from traditional cooked breakfasts to scrumptious vegetarian choices.
Or, you may go to Tillingham Vineyard – only a ten minute drive.
Tillingham Vineyard
Since we had been in East Sussex – an space of England well-known for its vineyards – I needed to go to one!
After all, I all the time have a toddler to consider, so wine excursions had been out of the query. And Ben wasn’t with us, so I needed to drive. So breakfast within the winery appeared like the right compromise.
I messaged Tillingham Vineyard on Instagram and so they booked us.
It was an exquisite expertise. The views from the breakfast room over the vineyards had been improbable, our waiter was beautiful, the meals was glorious and Reggie had the liberty to discover as there was a lot house up there. I beloved what they did with the place and the decor was glorious.
You may style the standard within the full English and the candy and sourdough and the espresso was fairly particular too. All in all, we had a pleasant expertise in Tillingham and I might love to come back again subsequent time for a wine tasting.
I am unsure what I assumed to not purchase a bottle!
Sundays close to Rye: Camber Sands Seashore
If it is a sunny day, go to the seaside. Go to Camber Sands, it is a fantastic stretch of shoreline with golden sand dunes. Take a look at all that house!
Right here you may spend a fantastic day within the UK. Embrace the coastal vibes with a leisurely stroll alongside the shore, problem the wind by flying a kite or just benefit from the heat embrace of the solar. In the event you’re feeling adventurous, strive some water sports activities for an additional adrenaline rush.
Or simply sit, admire and luxuriate in.
The place to remain in Rye
We stayed at this 70’s impressed airbnb, a couple of 10 minute stroll from the Excessive Avenue. It additionally had parking for 3 automobiles, so our two match simply.
There have been 3 bedrooms, all uniquely adorned. Reggie and I selected the rainbow one – principally as a result of the mattress was towards the wall in that room – but additionally as a result of we love rainbows. It was so enjoyable to see the enjoyment on his face each time he noticed it.
There have been two extra bedrooms with double beds and a fantastic view of the fields behind the home. There was additionally a big lavatory with two sinks (no bathtub – the kid washed within the kitchen sink) and a separate bathroom on the bottom flooring.
We had a fantastic kitchen and lounge to chill out in, which made it tough for us to exit once more on Saturday afternoon. We’ve not seen one another for some time, so we simply loved a bottle of champagne on the couch and within the backyard. We had been there in February, however the backyard can be an exquisite house to chill out in in the course of the summer time.
It was the right place!
Weekend in Raza
In case you are on the lookout for a spot with a wealthy historical past, lovely surrounding countryside and a thriving metropolis centre, then Rye is a superb place on your weekend journey. Vintage retailers, historic pubs and the final environment of town make for a fantastic escape.
As you may have learn, there are a number of glorious native eating places in Rye and it is just a brief stroll to the delights of Strand Quay and the Rye Heritage Centre.
Rye Station is correct within the coronary heart of town, for anybody seeking to discover by public transport or is only a brief drive to some nice native points of interest for all ages (together with sandy seaside and wine tasting). Rye is likely one of the greatest preserved medieval cities and I might positively suggest it on your subsequent weekend away!