Thomas House, Rye

About this property

Thomas House is everything you would expect when staying in the medieval town of Rye - inglenook fireplace, beams, leaded windows and bags of character make this holiday cottage a perfect quintessentially English retreat.

You enter straight into a small hallway with large cupboards for hanging coats and storing shoes. From the hallway you can go one of two ways. Into the TV snug with its turquoise walls and gentleman’s club feel or into the lounge with comfy sofas and large inglenook fireplace with woodburning stove. From both rooms you can enter the family kitchen/diner with table and chairs to comfortably seat six guests, ample cupboard storage, Aga, dishwasher, microwave - a real home from home. From the kitchen there is a door to the enclosed garden, which is set over two levels. The top level being a great place for outside dining or just enjoying your morning coffee.

Stairs lead up to the first floor bedrooms, one double bedroom and one twin bedroom with a double bed and single bed. The bedrooms are connected with a shared dressing room and on this floor you have a separate WC and a bathroom with bath and overhead shower and wash basin. In one of the many inglenooks on the landing you will find a washer/dryer for your holiday laundry needs. Stairs lead up to a further floor where you will find a large bathroom, with bath, wash basin and WC and another double bedroom. From the window you have lovely views over Rye and to the rear of the famous Mermaid Inn.

The owner has tried to think of everything to make your stay comfortable by providing 2 DAB radios, one with Bluetooth capabilities, WiFi and Netflix TV viewing but still retaining the charm that one would expect when staying in such an old property.

As the property was built back in the 1400’s, it does have some quirky traits - wonky, uneven floors, narrow staircases and low beams in places, so care is needed in order to avoid bumping heads, but I’m sure you will agree it's all worth it to stay in such a unique property in the heart of Rye Citadel.

Rye and beyond

Always a good start to any visit to Rye is the the town’s Heritage Centre. Here you can watch the Town Model's 'Sound and Light' show, which goes into detail about the history and the colourful past of Rye and it's inhabitants, or wander upstairs and play the ‘Old Penny Pier Machines’ and giggle at the ‘Laughing Sailor”. If antiques interest you, then visit the Strand Quay where you can try your hand at bartering and grab yourself a bargain!

The town of Winchelsea is a 10 minute drive away and, like Rye, has a rich history and links to the days of smugglers. One of the many cellar tours that take place during the year, is a worthy visit and a chance to see parts of the town that are not normally on show. With far reaching views over the marshes and out to sea, it really is a pleasant way to spend a few hours and for the keen walkers the chance to pick up the 1066 route.

Just 10 minutes drive away is the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, where you can walk along the sea wall and out on to the marshes to enjoy the flora and fauna. You can choose to walk out to Camber Castle, originally located on a shingle spit and where once it protected the towns of Rye and Winchelsea before the sea receded. Although no longer open to visitors, it is still a striking landmark worth a visit. The beach of Camber Sands is just a three mile drive away and has miles of sandy beach and dunes to explore.

The towns of Hastings and Ashford are around a 30 minute drive away and here you can get mainline trains to London if you wish to explore the capital for a day. If you would like to take a day trip to the continent, the Eurostar can be picked up from Ashford International Station and trains to Paris, Lille and Bruges are available. Alternatively, the ferries run from Dover, just 45 minutes away or the Channel Tunnel from Folkestone, a 45 minute drive.

Places to visit

Rye Heritage Centre

Great Dixter — Northiam

Bodiam Castle

What’s on

Scallop Festival — February

Rye Jazz Festival — August

Rye Arts Festival — September

Wild Boar Festival — October

Local shop — 250 yards

Nearest supermarket — 1/4 mile

Nearest restaurant — 100 yards

Local pub — 100 yards

Local bus service to Hastings, Ashford and Tenterden

Mainline rail service 1/4 mile Rye for services to Hastings, Brighton, Ashford and London

Gatwick Airport — 50 miles

Channel Tunnel Folkestone — 45 miles