UK’s ‘best town for independent bookshops’ also has prettiest street | UK | Travel

The UK is brimming with idyllic towns that feel frozen in time, and they certainly warrant a visit. From whimsical cottages and narrow pebbled streets, to rolling hills and medieval facades, alongside independent boutiques, country coffee houses and traditional pubs, there are many settlements across the country that are undoubtedly packed with character.

Yet, there are some that have stood out above the rest. Including one charming town, characterised by cobbled lanes and crooked timber-framed buildings, that has the UK’s ‘prettiest street’ and is named the best destination for bibliophiles, thanks to its independent bookshops.

Positioned just an hour from London and nestled along the coast of East Sussex is the quintessentially picturesque town of Rye. Sitting atop a hilltop, the town is known for its fairy-tale scenes and for having one of the most photographed streets in the country.

Mermaid Street is where you’ll find beautifully preserved medieval homes from the Tudor and Georgian eras around every corner, ivy creeping across half-timbered frontages and wall-mounted lanterns casting a warm glow over the storybook scene. It’s so enchanting that Mermaid Street has frequently been named the ‘prettiest street in the UK’, making it one of the most photographed thoroughfares.

One eye-catching dwelling along the famed street is a quirky white, lopsided house that has been named ‘the house with the two front doors’. And while many venture along the cobbled lanes to simply marvel at the unique cottage and grab a photo, visitors can actually book a stay in what has been described as a ‘hidden gem’ with an ‘amazing atmosphere’ on TripAdvisor.

Yet Mermaid Street isn’t the only area to explore in Rye, as its independent scene is particularly noteworthy. So much so that the Lonely Planet named Rye as one of ‘England’s best places for literature lovers’, noting that the town has “a creative, bohemian charm, courtesy its indie bookshops, vintage markets and the lively annual Rye Arts Festival”.

And it’s no surprise that it’s been given such an accolade as the National Trust property, Lamb House, which serves as a writers’ museum today, was once the residence of celebrated authors including Henry James, E. F. Benson, and Rumer Godden. Visitors can stroll through the very streets where E. F. Benson’s series, the Mapp and Lucia, was set, being firmly placed within the pages of literary history.

Meanwhile, there’s a collection of inviting pubs, including Rye Waterworks Micropub, as well as boutique hotels, independent galleries, boutique shops, cafés and tearooms. Some highlights include The Cobbles Tea Room for that quintessential afternoon tea, The Fig for a leisurely brunch, or The Old Grain Store, situated close to the River Brede that winds through Rye.

Rye Chocolates has become a favourite among tourists, while Rye Pottery and Grammar School Records is widely regarded as one of the UK’s finest second-hand music shops. For those keen to delve into the town’s rich past, it’s worth visiting the Rye Castle Museum, while those wishing to admire Rye from above can climb the steps to the bell tower at St Mary’s Church.

Elsewhere in Rye is the 600-year-old The Mermaid Inn with exposed wooden beams, a grand open fireplace and wonderfully traditional interiors. Here, guests can stay in one of their cosy rooms, dine in the Linen Fold Panelled Restaurant, which holds a two AA Rosette status, grab a drink at the Giants Fireplace Bar and the Tudor Bar, or soak up the warmer evenings on the delightful walled patio outside.

In fact, this 12th-century inn has long been regarded as one of the most haunted hotels in the UK, even earning a feature on the TV series Most Haunted. Nevertheless, a stop by the ancient pub is an absolute must, even just to feel as though you’ve wandered into another era off the cobbled street that once welcomed horse-drawn carriages.

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