The Old Stout House
Description
Features
Lower Ground Floor
Kitchen: A light, bright, modern space that is well-equipped with range cooker, large fridge freezer, microwave, washer-dryer, Italian stove top espresso maker and milk frother – plus plenty of kitchenware whether you are cooking up brunch, a feast or baking a cake. There also a huge walk-in pantry in the dining room that gives plenty of space to store groceries, and the owners provide enough store cupboard essentials such as tea, coffee, salt & pepper, dishwasher tables to kick start your stay.
Dining Room: Once the old pub scullery, the dining room is wonderfully atmospheric, and the owner has provided stylish table seating for eight, and designer tableware.
Cloakroom.
Ground Floor
Sitting room: A large room with beautiful bay window, and a selection of comfortable, colourful velvet sofas. There is no TV (there is a TV License, should you wish to stream a movie), but the space is amply supplied with games from giant checkers to poker and chess.
Bedroom One: Kingsized bedroom with huge ensuite featuring a double shower and slipper bath.
First Floor
Bedroom Two: Kingsized bedroom, with sofa.
Bedroom Three: Twin room.
Second (top) Floor
Bedroom four: Kingsized bedroom with ensuite shower room
Family Bathroom: With slipper bath and shower
Outside
Beautiful, south facing, Mediterranean-style, fully-enclosed garden with mains-wired festoon lights over the whole space. Generous table and seating for eight, plus extra relaxed seating dotted about – plus outdoor cushions and recycled wool Tweedmill blankets for chilly evenings. With lots of mature palms and olive trees, the garden is a real sun trap.
Please note
In the centre of Rye, close to the train station, and only footsteps away from the famous cobbled streets at its heart, The Old Stout House is a relative youngster at a mere 275-years-old compared to some of Rye’s ancient houses. But please do remember that nevertheless, its timber-framed (not modern brick built) construction and very narrow medieval pavements mean it’s less sound-proofed than modern homes. You will hear some traffic noise, especially in rush hour, despite the double glazing and modern insulation!
Parking
There is no private parking at the Old Stout House, but there is parking available just three minutes’ walk away.
Children
This is an old house with narrow, steep, twisting stairs in places so please take this into consideration.
Location
Rye is often described as one of England’s ‘best kept secrets’. There is plenty to keep you occupied here for a weekend break – but as the town is nestled between the rolling Sussex countryside and the coast, it is perfect for a longer stay and as a base to explore Camber Sands, Hastings, Dungeness and well as the historic houses, gardens and chocolate box villages. Great walking, cycling, bird-watching and wild swimming are all in easy reach, too.
Things to do
The Rye Heritage Centre is a good place to start your visit here, as it gives a flavour of Rye’s history. Or the Rye Castle Museum, which is based in Ypres Tower (known affectionately as Wipers Tower by the locals), from which there are some great views of the town. The cobbled streets have names that give lots of clues as to the town’s origins – Mermaid Street, Wish Street, and Watchbell Lane. The half-timbered medieval houses that line those streets are much photographed, and rightly so.
Rye is well known as a shopping destination, thanks to the range of wonderful independent shops. Find everything from jewellery and antiques to unique homeware. There are events taking place throughout the year – from the Rye Bay Scallop Festival, which takes place in February, to art festivals, and a large procession for bonfire night.
This was once a port, but changing coastal patterns mean that Rye is now a distance from the sea. However the coast is still within easy reach. The Rye Nature Reserve is comprised of wetlands and saltmarshes, as well as some beautiful coastline. Gorgeous Camber Sands, with its miles of sandy dunes, is just a 10 minute drive away. Dungeness is also nearby, home to Derek Jarman’s famous and much-photographed coastal garden, as well as an important nature reserve. Up and coming Hastings has a wonderful Old Town.
Head inland to the countryside, and there are miles of glorious walks with plenty of glorious country pubs at the end of them! As well as historic houses such as Sissinghurst and Great Dixter (both with notable gardens). The Kent & Sussex steam railway is a draw for children and railway enthusiasts alike.
Food & Drink
Rye is a popular destination for dedicated food lovers, and The Old Stout House is surrounded by excellent cafés and restaurants. Kick off your sightseeing with breakfast or brunch at the Mermaid Street Café, on one of the towns’ most picturesque streets. And pop back later for a drink at The Mermaid pub which has a rich and varied history – there is even a secret passage to the nearby Ye Old Bell Inn, thanks to a long association with smugglers. The Ypres Castle Inn (The ‘Wipers’ if you’re a local…) is a pretty building that has a great view over Romney Marsh. The Rye Waterworks was once the town’s pumphouse, but is now a micropub serving local ales and cider.
The George is a stylish gastropub, whose modern British menu features a range of local meat and seafood. Hoof offers farm to table dining, with produce from their own farm just four miles away. Webbe’s at the Fish Café is a must for fish and chips.
Sussex is wine country! So why not sample a drop or two at one of the many local vineyards – try Charles Palmer, Gusbourne or Chapel Down, which also hosts a fine food shop stocking the best of local produce.
Gallery
Reviews
The property was beautiful! Especially the deck – a perfect hangout spot for drinks. There were also fairly lights which made it super cute and magical in the evenings! The property is near a supermarket called Jempsons and there are a lot of country pubs less than 5 mins walk away – all very good. The property is quite centrally located and only took us 15 mins to visit the nearby vineyards like gusbourne. Each room had lots of character. For those who like Harry Potter, there’s a room with a fireplace akin to that of the ministry of magic. Also there is a dark green bathroom that reminds of of the slytherin common room! The host Nicola is very good at communicating and let us check in early. Absolutely loved this place and would happily come back!
Really beautiful and pristine property and lovely host. Lots of helpful info and recommendations which helped make our trip very memorable.
A beautiful home, perfect location, great communication and overall we had the best time! We will definitely be back. It’s actually better than the photos. Curated to perfection.
We had a wonderful stay at Nicola’s. The house is beautiful and lovingly renovated. Perfect location in town. We loved the bathrooms, kitchen and garden in particular. Nicola is a great host, very friendly and helpful. Check in was also seamless. Would recommend!