The George in Rye
East Sussex, United Kingdom [view map]
Local restaurants
Good gastropubs – mostly clad in white clapboard – are only a shuffle away: try pot‑roast pheasant in The Globe Inn on Military Road (01797 223381), or rack of Romney Marsh lamb at Ypres Castle Inn, aka ‘the Wipers’, on Gun Gardens (01797 223248). Just outside the town’s mediaeval gate, Landgate Bistro has an excellent menu of classic and contemporary British dishes (01797 222829). Savvy diners will love The Place Camber Sands on New Lydd Road (01797 225057), where grill-focused grub is made with sustainable, free-range and organic ingredients (meats are locally farmed, and only non-threatened species of Rye Bay fish are used). For olde-world charm and traditional romance in spades, have dinner at The Linen Fold, the restaurant of the Mermaid Inn (01797 223065), a characterful oak-beamed hostelry dating back to the 12th century .
Local cafes
There’s no shortage of cafés and tearooms in Rye, but you’ll be magnetically drawn to the cream cakes and savoury temptations at Fletchers House on Lion Street (01797 222227).
Worth getting out of bed for
Browse the antiques shops along the Strand Quay, or stroll down to gorgeous Camber Sands with a bulging picnic hamper packed for you by the George in Rye. Ramblers will enjoy the High Weald Landscape Trail and 1066 Walk, both of which start at Rye; visit www.highweald.org for routes.
Diary
Every Wednesday There's a weekly farmer's market at Rye's Strand Quay, where (if you're up early enough), you'll also see the local fisherman landing their catch each morning. September The Rye Festival is a long-established celebration of art and music (www.ryefestival.co.uk).