Tudor town with UK’s ‘most picturesque street’ and ‘haunted’ hotel | UK | Travel

Preserved exactly as it was during mediaeval times, this picture-perfect town has a vast history, which is clearly shown through its beautiful architecture.

In East Sussex, Rye is a town perched upon a hilltop with cobbled streets, endearing buildings and a deep-rooted history. There are several buildings, untouched to keep hold of their original charm, which remain staples to the town’s tourism and storytelling.

Two hours outside of London, this picturesque destination is not quite a seaside spot, but it is close enough to offer the perfect rest stop in between your travels to the coast. In fact, over time the town has become further inland, due to shifting coastlines, and while no longer on the shores, it was once home to a thriving port, now overtaken by nature.

During the medieval times, when the town was firmly established with its structure and architecture, it was a major seaport and ‘cinque port’, which helped to defend against French invasions. Nowadays it offers the ideal day trip with independent shops, boutique hotels, tasty food spots, and historical points of interest.

Mermaid Street

This little high street in Rye is often cited as one of the prettiest in the whole country, with beautifully made buildings sat on a wholesome cobbled lane.

One visitor wrote on TripAdvsior: “A very quaint cobblestone street from the early mediaeval times; some of the buildings were outstanding and well worth a visit and walk up the hill.”

Another shared: “Mermaid Street was definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Rye, and I recommend you set aside at least half an hour to explore this stunning street and take some great photos.”

This pretty lane is lined with timber-framed houses from the past, many of which are protected to ensure their history lives on. For example, a few of the buildings are armed with plaques labelling them with quirky names, such as The House with Two Front Doors and The House Opposite, and people often opt to take photos in front of them.

While it remains a quaint, picture-worthy street in modern times, it was once on the other end of the spectrum, considered to be one of the poorest parts in town. An 1891 census revealed it had a bad reputation as a street teeming with rats and over 70 children all living in small homes and creating a rowdy atmosphere in the place.

At the very heart of the road, and what is thought to have lent it its name, is the Mermaid Inn, a hotel that has been dubbed as one of the most haunted here in the UK.

Haunted Hotel

Over 600 years old, this building, where you can stay for bed and breakfast, is a true relic, and it has the ghostly stories to match. The Mermaid Inn has cellars dating back to 1156, while the building itself is as old as 1420, and so offers a true time capsule for guests and visitors.

With its sloped ceilings, creaking floorboards and maze of staircases, the building is bursting with charm and has been updated to allow for a top-notch restaurant and two bars, along with an expansive patio.

For those choosing not to stay the night, you can still explore indoors. Lucky for you, on the last Sunday of every month the owner offers a guided tour through the ancient rooms as you step back in time.

Upon entering the hotel, one person shared: “We have stayed at the Mermaid Inn a few times before and have never been disappointed. If you go to Rye, you really have to stay at The Mermaid.

“As soon as you walk into this place, you feel the atmosphere of its history, a real step back in time, a time to leave the fast pace of life behind as you enjoy this wonderful place, a feeling of privilege of actually staying there.”

Although it has a reputation of other sorts, thanks to its long-standing, it happens to have seen a lot of people come and go, while others refuse to leave, as their ghosts remain. Several rooms are said to house several ghosts, all with their own individual stories, and some people even opt for these rooms for that very reason.

For example, Room 19, the Hawkhurst room, was once the place a guest reported a man sitting on her bed, wearing old-fashioned clothing. Meanwhile, Room 1 is haunted by a lady in white, or grey. who opts to sit in a chair by the fireplace – her favourite haunting spot.

In fact, their website details every ghost that lives within its walls and the stories that have developed over the years as people continue to have claimed having paranormal experiences during their stay. One of those very examples is room 10, with Fleur De Lys.

The website states: “Several years ago, a bank manager and his wife were awakened to find a man walking through their bathroom wall and across the centre of the room. They were so frightened that they spent the rest of the night downstairs in one of the lounges and made the porter bring all their luggage downstairs, plus their clothes.”