The medieval town boasts cobbled streets, Tudor architecture and rich history – including the reportedly ‘haunted’ Inn that dates all the way back to 1420
The street is at the heart of the town(Image: Getty)
Preserved precisely as it was during mediaeval times, this picture-perfect town boasts a rich history, which is vividly displayed through its stunning architecture.
Nestled in East Sussex, Rye is a hilltop town featuring cobbled streets, charming buildings and a deeply-rooted history. Many buildings remain untouched to preserve their original character, serving as key attractions for the town’s tourism and heritage.
Just two hours from London, this scenic destination isn’t quite a seaside location, but it’s near enough to provide the perfect stopping point between your journeys to the coast.
Indeed, over the years the town has shifted further inland, due to changing coastlines, and whilst no longer on the waterfront, it was once home to a bustling port, now reclaimed by nature.
During mediaeval times, when the town was firmly established with its layout and architecture, it served as a major seaport and ‘cinque port’, which helped to protect against French invasions.
Today it provides the ideal day trip with independent shops, boutique hotels, delicious food spots, and historical landmarks.
Mermaid Street
This charming high street in Rye is frequently described as one of the most attractive in the entire country, with beautifully constructed buildings positioned along a delightful cobbled lane.
One visitor said on TripAdvisor: “A very quaint cobblestone street from the early mediaeval times; some of the buildings were outstanding and well worth a visit and walk up the hill.”
Another visitor commented: “Mermaid Street was definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Rye, and I recommend you set aside at least half an hour to explore this stunning street and take some great photos.”
This charming lane features timber-framed houses from centuries past, many of which enjoy protected status to preserve their historical significance.
Several of the properties, for instance, display plaques bearing distinctive names, including The House with Two Front Doors and The House Opposite, and tourists frequently stop to take photographs outside them.
Whilst it remains a picturesque, Instagram-worthy spot today, it was previously quite the opposite, regarded as one of the town’s most deprived areas. An 1891 census showed it had a notorious reputation as a rat-infested street where more than 70 children crammed into cramped homes, generating a chaotic environment in the locale.
Situated at the very centre of the road, and believed to have given the street its name, is the Mermaid Inn, a hotel that’s been described as one of Britain’s most haunted.
Haunted Hotel
Spanning more than 600 years, this establishment, which offers bed and breakfast accommodation, is a genuine historical treasure, complete with spine-chilling tales to match.
The Mermaid Inn boasts cellars originating from 1156, whilst the structure itself dates to 1420, providing an authentic step back in time for guests and day-trippers alike.
With its sloping ceilings, creaking floorboards and labyrinth of staircases, the building is brimming with character and has been modernised to accommodate an excellent restaurant and two bars, alongside a spacious patio.
For visitors not planning an overnight stay, exploring indoors remains an option. Fortunately, on the final Sunday of each month the proprietor provides a guided tour through the historic rooms as you journey back through the centuries.
After visiting the hotel, one guest said: “We have stayed at the Mermaid Inn a few times before and have never been disappointed. If you go to Rye, you really have to stay at The Mermaid.
“As soon as you walk into this place, you feel the atmosphere of its history, a real step back in time, a time to leave the fast pace of life behind as you enjoy this wonderful place, a feeling of privilege of actually staying there.”
Yet it has a reputation of another kind entirely, thanks to its considerable age, having witnessed countless visitors pass through its doors, while others seemingly refuse to depart, as their spirits linger on.
Multiple rooms are believed to harbour various ghosts, each with their own unique tales, and some guests actively request these particular rooms for precisely that reason.
Take Room 19, the Hawkhurst room, where a guest once reported encountering a gentleman perched on her bed, dressed in period attire. Meanwhile, Room 1 is haunted by a lady in white, or grey, who prefers to sit in a chair beside the fireplace – her favoured haunting location.
In fact, their website catalogues every spectre said to inhabit its premises and the tales that have evolved over time as guests continue to report eerie encounters during their stay. One such instance is tied to room 10, with Fleur De Lys.
The website reveals: “Several years ago, a bank manager and his wife were awakened to find a man walking through their bathroom wall and across the centre of the room. They were so frightened that they spent the rest of the night downstairs in one of the lounges and made the porter bring all their luggage downstairs, plus their clothes.”