Mermaid Street is a must-see (Image: Sophie Harris)
Once encircled by sea, this hilltop settlement formerly served a crucial function in protecting England’s southern coastline. Today, the one and a half mile river from Rye to the coast accommodates the local fishing fleet.
Rye, in East Sussex, also boasts historic structures, cobbled lanes, and hidden passageways that consistently draw visitors and film production teams seeking authentic period locations. Numerous writers, musicians, artists, and notable figures have also established residence in the town, though it is also an excellent destination for a day excursion or a starting point for discovering the neighbouring regions.
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Make sure to pick up a Knoops (Image: Sophie Harris)
I visited England’s most photographed street in a historic town-it looked like a movie (Image: Getty)
I recently travelled to Rye after spotting certain streets on TikTok and questioning whether they genuinely existed, as they looked like something from a storybook.
The journey from London to the town took approximately an hour and a half, and finding parking proved remarkably straightforward, though we did arrive rather early.
Following a brief climb up a steep incline, we reached the principal cobbled thoroughfare, which featured numerous boutique shops, cafes, and eateries.
It was attractive and simple to explore, with beautiful vistas at every turn. Mermaid Street, the renowned cobbled lane celebrated for its delightful half-timbered properties, was the primary motivation for my visit to Rye.
It was straightforward to locate and utterly breathtaking, though it was rather crowded with visitors, even at approximately 9am.
Mermaid Street was stunning (Image: Sophie Harris)
There’s lots to do and see in the town (Image: Getty)
It ranks among England’s most photographed streets and houses the celebrated Mermaid Inn, a historic inn with a rich past.
Dating back to the 12th century, it was once a favourite haunt of smugglers and is now a prominent landmark.
Further nearby attractions include Rye Castle, Lamb House, Rye Heritage Centre and St. Mary’s Parish Church.
When it comes to food and drink, the options are plentiful, with highlights including The Fig, The Union Rye and Hoof.
Securing a walk-in table can prove rather tricky, so it is well worth researching in advance and booking in advance. A visit to Knoops is also a must — a delightful shop specialising in milkshakes, hot chocolates and iced chocolate drinks.
For those considering an overnight stay, there is no shortage of cosy hotels, welcoming guest houses and charming inns to choose from.
Rye is highly recommended as a spring day-trip destination — it is simply beautiful and offers a wealth of activities, making it ideal for families with children, too.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
