Travel
Arrive in Rye, the popular town on the East Sussex coast, and you’ll immediately notice two things. First, that at every turn, there is an architectural gem. And second, that at every turn, you’re likely to spy an antiques shop sign.
Cobbled hills, timber-framed Tudor buildings, grand Georgian dwellings, clapboard houses – there is some serious eye-candy for history lovers. And some of these extraordinary buildings beckon you inside to tread across creaking floorboards and pore over 19th-century French oil paintings, Arts and Crafts Suffolk chairs, vintage art books, and mid-century Danish armchairs. Rising up on a hill between Romney Marsh and the Weald, Rye has been many things over the years – but always a port. It began as a small fishing community, almost completely surrounded by water before the sea receded. Itcentury and, in the 18th century, a stronghold of the fearsome Hawkhurst Gang, who were a common fixture at The Mermaid Inn on Mermaid Street. Rye was also a citadel, one of the Cinque Ports on the English south coast that defended the country and provided ships and men to the Crown in the medieval period. Remnants of the fortifications still exist, including Ypres Castle, which has stood since 1249 and is now a museum. Fast-forward to the 19th century and early-20th century, and Rye was the home and muse of many literary figures, including Henry James, Joseph Conrad and HG Wells.
