The George in Rye
A catch in Rye
Cobbled Cinque Ports streets
Mirroring the alleyways of this ancient Sussex town, the George in Rye’s gorgeously revamped restaurant, bar and rooms unfurl beneath bowing ceilings and along maze-like corridors. Rooms are a treasure trove, each one very unlike the last; here a tin rolltop bath, there a copper one… here a miniature 17th-century French writing bureau, there some monochrome Florence Broadhurst textiles. Local touches abound, too: reclaimed sails for wallpaper; upcycled madeleine trays for cupboard doors. Sound a bit much? It would be, if it wasn’t for the owners’ boldly reassuring taste.
Planes
Of the four London airports you could fly into, Gatwick is the closest at just a 90-minute drive away. Heathrow and Luton are both two hours by car and Stansted is the furthest at two-and-a-half hours. And, honorary London hub Southend Airport is a two-hour drive away. There are no direct trains from London, but there’s just one change at Ashford and you’ll be in Rye in around 90 minutes, maybe less.
Trains
Rye station is closest, a tiny two-minute drive away or a five-minute walk if you have the stamina for it… From here, you'll be able to reach Ashford International and the Eurostar (www.eurostar.com) in 20 minutes. Eastbourne is a 50-minute journey direct and you’ll chug along the scenic south coast.
Automobiles
Finding a parking spot in the town’s gorgeous yet often un-accommodating streets can be a trial. Especially so, the more cobbled and hilly they are. Parking on the High Street is limited to two hours, so it’s best to offload your luggage and stop at Cattle Market carpark, less than a five-minute walk away (£2 for 24 hours, multiple tickets can be displayed at once) – take note, it’s closed overnight on Wednesdays and for the town’s market on Thursdays, but other carparks will be operating. Once you’ve figured all that out, Rye itself can be explored on foot – the incline up Mermaid Street being the biggest, yet still quite minor, challenge you’ll face – but there’s much to see in the surroundings too. A car will come in handy for trips to Camber Sands’ dunes and exploring the High Weald or the Kent Downs, both designated Areas of Natural Beauty. And, some of Britain’s best vineyards (Chapel Down, Balfour Hush Heath Estate, Biddenden) are close by, so a designated driver might come in handy. From London follow the M20 or A21 and you’ll arrive in just under three hours.
Worth Getting Out of Bed For
Browse the antiques shops along the Strand Quay, or stroll down to Camber Sands. Ramblers will enjoy the High Weald Landscape Trail and 1066 Walk, both of which start at Rye.
Earn or Redeem Points with World of Hyatt
This Mr & Mrs Smith hotel participates in the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As a member, you can earn and redeem points and enjoy exclusive benefits for qualifying nights. .
