The beautiful seaside town of Rye, near the Sussex coast and just an hour from London, has been crowned 'the most naturally beautiful town' in England.
Its quaint cobbled streets, historic wooden and stone houses, and ancient pubs make it a top pick for Londoners. Winding your way through Rye's hidden paths and slim lanes, its no surprise why it's regularly lauded as "the most naturally beautiful" spot in England and Wales.
This is a belief shared by the property experts at Garrington, who gave this accolade to Rye twice, in 2021 and 2022. It also features on the list of best places to live, ranking at number 16, with Bath and Salisbury taking spots above. Even though Rye ended up sixth in 2021, the town still holds its position as the best place to stay within Sussex.
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Other magical pubs include The George Inn ((Image: Martin Burton/SussexLive))Rye boasts charming streets and meaningful landmarks. According to Sussexblogger.com, as cited by MyLondon, Rye is described as "one of England's best-kept secrets", reports the Express. And, there's ample reason why. The town teems with maze-like lanes and alleys that house unique shops, cosy cafes, and inviting old pubs.
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At the heart of the town, streets like Mermaid Street are lined with centuries-old houses complete with timber beams, showcasing Rye's rich history. Rye has been home to human settlements for over a thousand years. It was once gifted to the Normans by King Aethelred the Unready.
The 14th-century Ypres Tower, which was part of Rye's defences against invaders ((Image: Dukas/Universal Images Group via Getty Images))The Lamb House, built from red bricks, plays host to many a tale of books and authors. It used to belong to Henry James, who penned 'The Turn of the Screw'. Standing tall nearby is the Norman St. Mary's Church tower, ever watchful over the town. The 14th-century Ypres Tower, once a part of Rye's shield against foreign foes, now serves as the Rye Castle Museum, housing paintings and local history displays.
At the town's edge lies the hidden gem that is the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, boasting brilliant views towards the English Channel and offering a home to various bird species throughout the year.
It's a favourite spot for people from London ((Image: Martin Burton/SussexLive))Its wetlands are popular with birdwatchers, but it also ranks as one of the top things to do in East Sussex on Tripadvisor. Furthermore, Rye is nestled at the southern tip of the High Weald, England's most wooded area, with Camber Sands golden beaches just a stone's throw away.
Countless charming pubs dot Ryes streets as one might expect, although they're not all for the faint-hearted. The Mermaid Inn, with over six centuries under its belt, is famous for its unearthly encounters. Five of the inn's rooms are thought to be haunted, with guests reporting sightings of "men dressed in 16th century clothing" engaged in combat and an elderly grey-clad lady sitting by the hearth.
Martin Blincow, the boss at the pub, told SussexLive last March that the famous spot has been busier since the pandemic. "Lockdown actually benefited us as people came here instead of going abroad. Many people seem to have discovered Rye over the past couple of years," he shared.
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