Historic Rye is the perfect pick for a mini break. It’s small, but picturesque to its core, a charming little village rising up out of a hill and overlooking the wide, flat expanses of the Romney Marshes. There’s a church on top, surrounded by cobbled streets, buildings dating from the Tudor period, and tons of charming boutiques, galleries, cafes and restaurants. Many of our recommendations for the best places to stay in Rye have been converted from historic buildings (dating back to the 13th, 15th and 16th centuries), pubs, inns, smuggler’s warehouses. There are all sorts of historic wonders on our list, as well as a few more contemporary offerings.

Rye is a fishing town, but it’s not on the coast; Rye Harbour is at the edge of the marshes. But you can see the sea from Rye’s Castle lookout, called Ypres Tower, and from the tower of the Church of St. Mary. On a clear day you can see the water from Rye’s garden balconies too.

The best places to stay in Rye are ideal for anyone who loves a stroll around antique and vintage shops, lovely meals, excellent hot chocolates, water views, historic surrounds, and the odd visit to a National Trust property, vineyard, or even the beach — which you can find in both directions. Rye is not far from the unusual landscape of Dungeness, and its charming tiny steam-railway, and to many sites painted by Paul Nash, Norman Ackroyd, and Fred Cuming, just to name a few.

The Best Places to Stay in Rye

For a Special Occasion

• Rye’s most famous thoroughfare is Mermaid Street, a picturesque collection of steeply laid cobbles lined with Tudor buildings. And the 13th century Mermaid Inn plays quite an important role in this street’s appeal. In fact even if you opt for a different hotel you’ll probably end up taking a photo of The Mermaid’s white and black-wood facade, and wonderfully wonky construction. If you do stay you’ll be treated to a collection of 31 rooms and suites that really do ooze history and charm, whether you opt for four-posters, stained glass, open fireplaces, or else the family-sized attic suite where Catholic priests and smugglers were hidden. The restaurant is very good, specialising in local treats like Romney Marsh Lamb and Rye Bay Cod.
• Another of Rye’s most characterful properties is the Rye Windmill B&B: a real, Grade II listed white smock windmill, with ten charming rooms and suites. Just two of the suites are in the white windmill tower, the rest are in the ‘skirt’. The Windmill Suites are grander, with incredible views, but all guests get the same hearty breakfast, free parking, and an excellent location within a short walk of Rye’s bars and restaurants.

For Romantics

• Jeake's House is just across historic Mermaid Street from The Mermaid Inn, and has a similarly quirky facade, though from a younger generation. The interiors are quirky too, which isn’t for everyone, but for those who like to stay in memorable accommodation, these 11 rooms and suites will provide a theatrical backdrop to a stay in Rye. Expect four-posters and toile-du-joie, eclectic antiques and objets d’art, and dark and interesting corners. The breakfast is extremely substantial, and includes salmon, kippers, kidney, ham and all sorts of other hot wake-up food.

For a Beach Break

• The Gallivant is in Camber Sands, about ten minutes drive from Rye, but close to a long stretch of sandy bay known for its lively wind. The building has been converted from a 1960s motel, and is long and low, but the decor is all fresh — they’ve gone for New England beach style, with ticking, stripes and white-painted floorboards. There are 18 rooms and suites, a restaurant and plenty of space to relax.

For a Mini-Break

• The George in Rye is another chicly converted historic building in hilltop Rye, this time a 16th century offering with a cool gastropub and rather bold and colourful decor. Of the 34 rooms and suites all are unique, decorated with vintage finds and statement wallpaper — our favourites have copper bathtubs. The Haystack suites have cubbyhole beds for kids. The pub and restaurant are popular, and deservedly so.
• Whitehouse is a small B&B above a popular bakery on Rye’s main street. We love it for its freshness — they’ve respected the building’s original beams, but painted them all white, opened up the attic in a architecturally interesting way, and kept beautiful original features like original tiles and fireplaces. 

For Great Value

• The Ship Inn is an historic pub-with-rooms, converted from a 16th century warehouse — probably involved with smuggling! It’s a wonderful warren of old beams, wood floors, cellars and nooks and crannies. The ten rooms upstairs are all simple and fresh, with lots of white and minimal fuss. The big surprise is the Michelin-recommended restaurant. Very child-friendly too.
• The Standard Inn is a cosy, 15th century-built inn in the heart of historic, hilltop Rye, with all the period features you'd expect: exposed ceiling beams and brick walls, wooden floors, big open hearths. There are just five guest rooms — all with lots of character, and deep baths — and the pub and restaurant are warm and welcoming.

Prefer a Private Apartment or Cottage?

• If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• London’s airports are the closest for Rye: Heathrow is on the right side of London, though if you’re travelling the rest of your route by train you still have to go via one of the central London stations, and Rye is an hour and a half but train from London St. Pancras. Rye is also about an hour and a half away from Heathrow by taxi or car. Gatwick Airport or London City Airport offer similar convenience, because if you’re using rail for your onwards journey they all pass through central London.
• If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• This is the UK, so expect changeable weather whatever the season. Rye is popular in summer, of course, when the average maximum temperatures are around 20°C. But it’s also beautiful in spring and autumn — if you don’t mind a chill and a bit of a shower or two. Winter is wonderful if you like things to be ‘bracing’. Rye’s charms run past the historic architecture to relaxed shopping, and restaurants, the nearby beach, spectacular views, and the wonderful atmosphere, all of which make it a year-round favourite.

Still not sure where to stay?

• Expand your search to include all of the best places to stay in East Sussex
• Refine your search by the type of accommodation you’re looking for, and peruse just the most romantic hotels in East Sussex or the best Pubs-with-Rooms
• Consider the best places to stay in Hastings which is just along the coastline
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.