Last year M and I escaped for an overnight Winter Retreat to the lovely Tuddenham Mill in Suffolk, this year we escaped to the picturesque hamlet of Rye in East Sussex.Nestled near the South Coast this lovely town really does feel that you are stepping back in time, filled with curiosity and antique shops, old fashion sweet shops, cobbled streets and an old apothecary which is now a coffee and cake stop. Once surrounded by sea, this fortified hilltop town played an important role in the defence of the south coast of England. These days, the river no longer harbours warships and is home to the local fishing fleet.
Meandering for over one and a half miles from Rye to the coast, the river forms part of the picturesque scenery visible from several vantage points in and around the citadel of Rye.
St Mary's church tower (usually open to the public) offers the best viewpoint to show the terracotta roofs of the many timbered houses. These ancient buildings, cobbled streets and secret passages, once the haunt of smugglers and highwaymen, regularly attract film crews in search of historical settings for period productions. M and I climbed the church tower (not for the feint hearted or larger sizes as the ladders are steep and the spaces small!)
One of the loveliest finds was this very cute coffee shop that used to be an old chemist. I was filled with great little reading nooks and comfy sofas along with a great range of cakes and delicious coffee. We had the gluten free lemon drizzle and the carrot cake with skinny latte's. The perfect treat after the climb up the tower. For someone who spent the early part of her career dispensing prescriptions this little find was a joy.
Rye was a lovely and the only disappointment was the weather. The day we arrived was a little grey and chilly which we wrapped up for but our second day a very blustery storm blew in from the West bringing lots of rain and wind. Before heading home we did stop at Camber Sands so that I could take the wellies for a walk on the beach!
