Written by Natalie Aldridge.

One of the most enchanting things about living in London is how easy it is to slip away for the day. The city may be vast and bustling, but the English countryside is never far, and tucked within it are dozens of villages that look as if they’ve been lifted from a Beatrix Potter book. Rye is one of them.

Perched on a hilltop in East Sussex, Rye feels like stepping into the pages of a storybook. It’s the kind of place where cobbled lanes slope and twist, half-timbered houses lean toward one another, and every crooked doorway seems to hold a secret. It’s wildly picturesque, charming, and just a breezy train ride from the city, perfect for a weekend ramble or, in my case, a perfectly curated day trip.

There is a beautiful stillness to Rye, but don’t let its sleepy façade fool you. This town has a fascinating history. Once a thriving member of the medieval Cinque Ports confederation, Rye was a hub of maritime trade, and more thrillingly, smuggling. The sea once lapped right at its gates, and tales of pirates, French raiders, and furtive alleyway dealings still linger in the air.

Having spent a bit of time in this stunning village, I feel I’ve cracked the code for the perfect day in Rye. The day begins, as any good one should, with an excellent breakfast. Head straight to The Fig, a sun-drenched café tucked just off the high street. Their avocado toast is delicious, but the highlight is the sourdough pancakes with whipped butter and rhubarb compote. Sit near the window and pretend you’re drafting a novel.

From there, wander over to Rye Books, a tiny independent shop brimming with literary gems and visual inspiration. Tucked between crooked buildings painted in cheerful hues, it’s the sort of place where you might pick up a vintage book on Bloomsbury interiors or a linen-bound novel purely for the cover.

Just around the bend sits Mermaid Street, arguably one of the most picturesque in all of England and pure joy for anyone with a fondness for architectural romance. The cobblestones alone are a study in patina, but it’s the procession of crooked, timbered cottages, each with its own endearing name, from The House Opposite to The House with the Seat, that steals the show. With their weathered beams, wavy glass windows, and hand-lettered plaques, it feels like Wind in the Willows meets a Country Life cover shoot, with a bit of Nancy Lancaster thrown in for good measure.

Next, step inside The Mermaid Inn, and you’ll find an interior sure to pique your imagination. Rebuilt in 1420, the inn is a masterclass in medieval coziness. The low oak-beamed ceilings, vast fireplaces, creaking staircases, and candlelit nooks just begging for a long conversation or a stolen moment with a book and a pint. Order something local, settle into a velvet sofa by the fire, and take in the centuries of stories steeped into every panelled wall.

Now that you’re relaxed and warmed up, it’s time to shop! Rye is a mecca for antique lovers. Begin at Strand Quay, where a handful of shops spill over with everything from Georgian silver to Edwardian tea sets and the occasional piece of Staffordshire that likely came out of a nearby estate.

Be certain not to miss Glass Etc, a wonderland of vintage glass curated by Andy McConnell (yes, the one from BBC’s Antiques Roadshow). Even if you don’t leave with a Victorian decanter, you’ll feel more glamorous and worldly just for having been.

If you’re in need of a bite, stop into The Globe Inn Marsh. Just a short walk from town, it feels like dining inside a well-traveled English grandmother’s jewel box with its mismatched chairs, chandeliers, roaring fires even in July. If you enjoy tea, head to The Cobbles Tea Room, hidden down a narrow passageway like something out of Alice in Wonderland. The scones are the size of your head, the clotted cream is heavenly, and the floral china is delightfully mismatched. English charm at its finest.

Before the afternoon slips away, a visit to Lamb House is a must. Particularly for those of us with a weakness for Georgian symmetry and literary figures. Once the home of Henry James and later E.F. Benson, the house now belongs to the National Trust, and walking through it feels like leafing through a well-loved novel. The interiors are quietly exquisite: panelled walls painted in muted chalky tones, sash windows that dapple the rooms with soft afternoon light, and a study that still holds a typewriter. Beyond the house lies a walled garden so perfectly composed it seems almost fictional. You can almost see Peter Rabbit dashing about the ivy-laced corners and hiding behind the flowered borders.

As the sun begins to dip, walk it off with a gentle climb up to St. Mary’s Church, where you can scale the rickety bell tower for panoramic views over Romney Marsh. The rooftops of Rye glow like something from a Turner painting. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the sea.

Wrap the day with a glass of something local at The George, which feels part country house, part design dream. Recently restored after a fire, it now stands as the perfect mix of contemporary polish and old English soul.

There’s a certain kind of magic to a place that makes you feel as though you’ve wandered into a painting and Rye, in all its crooked beauty, does just that!

x Natalie