Rye

Perched above the East Sussex coast, Rye feels like a place half-lost in time and half-dreamed up. Cobbled lanes twist between crooked timbered houses, old smugglers’ inns lean companionably together, and every turn seems to reveal a postcard view — of rooftops, river, or distant sea. It’s one of those rare towns that still feels like a wonderful discovery, no matter how many times you visit.

But Rye isn’t just charming — it’s got a thriving creative scene, too. Behind the antique shops and medieval walls, you’ll find independent galleries, pottery studios, and bakeries that could hold their own in Hackney. Artists, writers and makers have long flocked here for its otherworldly light and easy pace, and you can feel that bohemian pulse in its cobbled veins. On Fridays, the market touts fresh fish, flowers and local chatter; by dusk, the streets glow amber and the scent of woodsmoke drifts through the air.

And then, of course, there’s the sea. Camber Sands stretches out just beyond town — a vast sweep of dunes and golden sand that feels more Atlantic than English Channel — while Rye Harbour Nature Reserve is a wild patchwork of salt marsh and sky. You could spend a whole weekend here without ever needing a plan: just wandering, grazing, and watching the tide roll in. See our top Kip tips for the region, below.

Our design-led places to stay in Rye include fairytale farmstays, fabulous family-friendly homes (four-legged members welcome too) and a luxe forest retreat that invites deep immersion into the rhythms of nature. Whether you come for windswept walks, beach picnics or lazy breakfasts in the garden, this little corner of East Sussex has a way of slowing time — and stealing hearts.