The Cottage, Mermaid Passage

Price range- £250 – £400 per night | Min 3 night stay

Description

The Cottage could not be more perfectly placed to explore the unbelievably picturesque, historic heart of medieval Rye; it sits on Mermaid Passage which has the listed 600 year old Mermaid Inn at one end (once home to smugglers!), and the Old Bell Pub at the other.

The Cottage has been thoughtfully and carefully refurbished, and now blends traditional features, white walls and carefully curated contemporary furniture for a look that is comfortable & relaxed, but also achingly cool. Sea grass, stone flooring, and cool white Carrera marble, alongside a pale palette of blues and mint greens give this space a serene, restful vibe, and the walled terrace and pretty cottage garden make it an oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of the town.

Inside there are three bedrooms (two kingsize, one double), as well as a living room with woodburner, separate snug, and sun-room dining space. It is a perfectly located, cosy bolthole for small groups of friends or family to enjoy a relaxing holiday, but with a plethora of things to do, right on your doorstep. Not only are you right in the heart of Rye’s many attractions, pubs, cafes and restaurants – but it’s a short hop to countryside, plentiful walks, and coast just outside the town too.

Features

Ground Floor

Kitchen: Tongue & groove panelled kitchen with gorgeous mint green Shaker style units and a Carrera marble worktop. Full equipped with everything you need to cook at home; Smeg oven & hob, dishwasher, Nespresso machine, double fridge etc.

Living Room: Stovax wood burner with fireside seating. Matthew Hilton ottoman and Bertoia Diamond chair, comfortable Caravane sofas, side tables and lamps. Eating area for 4-6

Snug: Carvane sofa, Matthew Hilton armchair, side table and lamps. Smart TV with Sonos sound bar – vintage sideboard with games and books for relaxing on rainy days.

Sun Room: Dining space for six – flooded with light, and with doors that open onto the cottage garden.

Cloakroom: In the porch, with underfloor heating

Outside: Pretty cottage garden at the back, and walled terrace area at the front, facing one of Rye’s most famous streets, The Mint

First Floor

Bedroom One: Stylish, bright and spacious bedroom with king sized bed, Smart TV, Sonos speaker, hanging pegs, console and chair, wooden shutters

Bedroom Two: Double room with king sized bed, hanging pegs, wooden shutters

Bedroom Three: Cosy double room with double bed, side table, hanging space and shelves. Wooden shutters.

Landing: Further wardrobe and shelves for the bedrooms, and hairdryer, ironing board and iron.

Shower Room: Stunningly renovated with Fired Earth x Bert & May tiles, brass fittings and heated towel rail. Underfloor heating

Children are welcome at The Cottage, and a travel cot can be provided on request for the main bedroom.

Location

The Cottage faces Mermaid Passage, which runs off The Mint, one of Rye’s most famous (and often photographed) streets. It is within easy walking distance of all of Rye’s long list of attractions, as well as shopping, pubs, cafés and restaurants.

Rye station is just five minutes walk away, so you could easily spend a long weekend or more here and not need a car; trains from London St. Pancras take around an hour. The drive from London is approximately two hours.

Rye is a short hop to the stunning beaches of Camber Sands, fascinating Hastings, and the inland attractions, and beautiful countryside, of the High Weald.

Things to do

There are so many things to see and do in and around Rye, that the challenge is how to fit everything in! In Rye itself don’t miss Rye Castle with the Ypres Tower (a local landmark) and the Rye Castle Museum. You can also climb the bell tower at St Mary’s Church to get your bearings with a view over Rye’s historic rooftops. Take a stroll through the Landgate, one of four gates that used to guard the city, and are a reminder of how important it once was, strategically. Take a stroll along Mermaid Street (one of the most photographed in the UK), stopping to admire the half-timbered houses and historic signs. Explore the wonderful independent shops along Rye High Street. Or head to the quirky Kino cinema, which is licensed – so you can enjoy a glass of wine with the latest movie releases.

If you want to fill your lungs with fresh air – famous Camber Sands is just a 15 minute drive away with its wide sandy dunes, or try slightly lesser-known Winchelsea or Pett Level beaches. Don’t miss the uniquely brooding coastal landscape of Dungeness, and Derek Jarman’s house and garden. Rye Harbour Nature Reserve boasts abundant wildlife and miles of walking trails.

Food & Drink

Whatever your taste or budget, the options for eating and drinking in and around Rye are almost endless. Pubs are plentiful, but you can’t possibly leave without visiting the ‘local’, the Mermaid Inn which is over 600 years old and boasts one of the best Sunday roasts for miles around. The Standard Inn, on the The Mint, dates from the 15th Century and has great food and atmosphere. For something more modern the Grapevine Jazz Bar, serves great wines, champagne and offers live music, and The Union on East Street has great cocktails.

For coffee, brunch or lunch, head to Whitehouse Rye, or the Cornish Bakery. Marino’s Fish Bar on The Mint has the best fish & chips. Sussex is English wine country, and there are plenty of wonderful vineyards to visit in the surrounding area; Tillingham Winery features a stylish restaurant inside, and a pizza restaurant outside. Seafood lovers won’t want to miss Rye’s famous Scallop Festival, which takes place in February, and during which many restaurants, pubs and other venues offer special menus, and the town hosts events such as scallop cutting and cookery demonstrations – although locally-caught scallops are available all year round, too!