Day trip to Rye.
It was one of those lazy Saturdays that I woke up late in the morning just to see the sun up and a blue sky with no evidence of any cloud. And then immediately it popped up in my mind… Rye! Let’s go to Rye!
And, well that’s it! Without thinking it any further (well, it’s been quite some time that i wanted to visit Rye), we headed off to St Pancras station.
This small town in East Sussex is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes from London and it’s a small heaven to the eyes.
I didn’t plan anything as I already knew that everything would be in a short walking distance.
So from the minute we arrived at the train station we started walking through the beautiful medieval market town of Rye.
We continued strolling around the cobbled lanes starting from the High Street. We visited the Ypres Tower, home to Rye Castle Museum which “has served the town as a Castle, Private Dwelling, Court Hall, Gaol and now a Museum”.
The castle was built in the 14th century as part of the town defenses against the frequent raids by the French. We checked the view across the River Rother and Romney Marsh from the terrace (once, one of the most important harbours in the country), the prisoner cells, the Medieval Garden and the Women’s Tower of this relatively small and compact castle.
We then stopped for a drink and to eat at one of the best-known Inns in southeast England, The Mermaid Inn, maintained by the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England. The current building has 600 years of history, with Tudor style additions from the 16th century and cellars that were built in 1156. It also has a reputation of being haunted which makes it even more alluring ♥
Even though the weather was absolutely amazing, on the inside there was a fireplace, keeping warm and cosy the whole place. I loved it!
On our way back, I noticed many other local places and quaint shops I’d like to visit on my next trip here. I was always thinking that Rye could be stunning only during sunshine. And of course it was! But I can already imagine this place under a Christmas atmosphere – truly magic!
Until next time ♥
