Arrive in Rye, the uber popular town on the East Sussex coast, and you’ll notice two things straightaway. 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.
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Cobbled hills, timber-framed Tudor buildings, grand Georgian dwellings, clapboard houses – this 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 French 19th-century oil paintings, Arts & Crafts Suffolk chairs, vintage art books, mid-century Danish armchairs, beautiful sofas, and hand-dipped candles.
Rising up on a hill between Romney Marsh and the Weald, Rye has been many things over the years. It began as a small fishing community, almost completely surrounded by water before the sea receded. It was a hotspot of piracy in the 13th century and in the 18th century, with The Mermaid Inn on the much-photographed Mermaid Street a stronghold of the fearsome Hawkshurst Gang in the 1730s-40s.
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.
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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. Today, Rye is an antiques town brimming with antiques and interiors shops, art galleries, restaurants and cafes.
This stylish two-bedroom bijou apartment on Lion Street right in the centre of Rye exudes period charm much like the town in which it sits, with the loveliest wonky ceilings and floors we all adore in historic properties. Not surprising, as the Grade II-listed building dates to the 1500s.
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The decor of The Crow's Nest taps into the town’s seafaring and naval past, with vintage nautical brass plates lining one wall, ship-shaped objects dotted around, a colour scheme of white and myriad blues throughout, marine lights, and cute curtained cabin beds in one of the little rooms tucked into the eaves.
The furnishings are high quality, with two beautifully upholstered Ercol lounge chairs among the mid-century furniture in the living room, stylish blinds, curtains, and handmade cushions. Windows look out on ancient rooftops on both sides, while the little touches in every room make this a sweet and snug hideaway for a weekend.
Booked through Kip Hideaways, a curated collection of beautiful UK rentals
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