Rye

Rye is one of those beautiful, picturesque towns that people from all over the place make a special effort to visit. The Cinque Port town in East Sussex is a haven for tourists, and with its cobbled streets, quaint shops and stunning views, it’s easy to see why.

Although, it took me longer than most people to appreciate it – I went to school in the town for five years, and for a long time my association with Rye was having seagulls steal my chips at the bus stop, and going clubbing underage.

Now though, it’s one of my favourite places to visit. It’s not a big town, but there’s still plenty to see and do.

EAT

One of my favourite restaurants is The Union Steakhouse on East Street. Honestly, the food and wine is out of this world, and the atmosphere is just so lovely – the decor is cosy, the staff are friendly…I could go on. I usually order the sirloin steak with chimichurri sauce, but the ribs are also amazing.

WALK

Rye Harbour Nature Reserve has a long path that leads you out to the sea. It’s such a brilliant way to blow away the post-Christmas cobwebs, take a summer stroll or just enjoy the scenery. My mum first took me there as a teenager, and I’ve loved it ever since – I went on my first date with my (now) husband there, I’ve taken many people visiting the area there, and walking off the mince pies and Champagne on Boxing Day has become a bit of a tradition.

DRINK

Rye has lots of great places to have a drink, and it’s hard to pick a favourite. The George on the High Street is very stylish and has a nice bar, and I also love The Ship Inn down by The Strand which is quirky and cool. Another place well worth a visit is The Globe Inn, which has a strong food and drink offering.

SEE

Rye is so picturesque, so there’s basically no bad views…but a visit to Mermaid Street is a must – it’s a cobbled street that looks just as beautiful up as it does down, and if you’re looking for something Instagrammable then this is where you should head…