Tollgates, Playden

About this property

A lovely detached East Sussex holiday cottage, perfect for large extended family gatherings and just a short fifteen minute walk from the centre of medieval Rye

Tollgates is the perfect holiday home for all the family, and parts of the property date back to 1850, so it comes with bags of character too.

You enter the property through the kitchen, which is large and modern with all the appliances you would want when on holiday. There is a kitchen table with seating for six - a pleasant spot for breakfast or afternoon tea. From the kitchen you enter into the large hallway, with a downstairs modern shower room to your left, oak staircase up to the bedrooms and doors to the other reception rooms. You have a children's TV snug - the perfect spot for children to play games or watch something different to the adults in the party, and if you are cooking tea, you can keep an eye on them through the secret hatch. The main lounge has comfy sofas, a large open fireplace, French doors out onto the terrace and windows overlooking the rear and the front of the wraparound garden. A lovely bright room all day long, and in the autumn and winter months it's very inviting with the fire lit. From the lounge you have doors leading to a large conservatory diner, with French doors out onto the terrace. There's a large sofa at one end and two tables that can be placed end to end in order to accommodate all nine guests in the party for a sit down meal. A great entertaining space at any time of the year.

Heading upstairs and you have a single bedroom on your right, with views across the marsh and the garden. To the rear of the landing you have a large master suite with ensuite bathroom and triple aspect views. There are two twin bedrooms, nicknamed the 'Pirate' and 'Mermaid' rooms. The 'Pirate' room has its own handbasin. Finally we have 'Birdsong' room, a double with views across the garden and marsh.

The grounds wrap around the property and there is easily enough parking for up to four cars on the gravel drive. The rear of the property has been arranged to appeal to families with children, with an outside swingset, slide and table tennis which is a favourite whatever your age. There is a wooden playhouse for the smaller children in the party at the end of the garden and a lawned area perfect for a game of football or croquet. From the conservatory, you have a terrace area where you can dine outside or lay on one of the sun beds provided and take in the uninterrupted views of the marsh and the garden. There is a Canadian hot tub for guests, which requires care and attention if you choose to use it. Full instructions are in the property on how to get it started, and you will need to purchase your own logs as these are not provided.

For tennis lovers amongst you, you are a five minute walk from Rye Lawn Tennis and Squash Club, so bring your racquets.

Rye and beyond

Tollgates is a great base for exploring Rye and the local beaches of Camber Sands, Winchelsea Beach, the Pett Levels and Fairlight for fossil hunting or cliff walks. The town centre is a fifteen minute stroll away and has plenty of history to explore and a good selection of independent shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs. Whether you choose to take the 'Mapp and Lucia' or 'Ghost' tour around Rye, your first stop should be the Heritage Centre down by the quay. Here you can pick up useful guides and information on local places to visit, while away an hour playing the old penny pier machines or watch the town's 'Sound and Light' show and learn about Rye's smuggler past.

If you wish to go further afield, the seaside town of Hastings is a short drive away and here you can walk amongst the fishing boats, browse the antique and bric-a-brac shops, try your luck in the arcades, stroll along the pier or visit the Jerwood Gallery, and most importantly, treat yourself to fresh fish and chips!

The 1066 Country has plenty of castles, grand houses and National Trust gardens to visit - you really are spoilt for choice.

If you fancy a trip to the continent during your holiday then the Euro Tunnel is thirty five minutes away by car, or take the train from Rye and pick up the Eurostar from Ashford International Station. Lydd Airport offers flights to Le Touquet which take only fifteen minutes, so you could even fly to France for lunch on a special occasion. The area has so much to offer, we hope you will leave wanting more.

Places to visit

Rye Heritage Centre

Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway

Great Dixter House and Garden — Northiam

Bodiam Castle

What's on

Rye Scallop Festival — February

Rye Jazz Festival — August

Rye Arts Festival — September

Wild Boar Festival — October

Local shop — 1/4 mile

Nearest supermarket — 3/4 mile

Nearest restaurant — 3/4 mile

Local pub — 1/2 mile

Local bus service to Ashford, Hastings and Tenterden

Mainline railway station at Rye for services to Hastings, Ashford, Brighton and London

Gatwick Airport — 50 miles

Dover Ferry Port — 40 miles

Folkestone Euro Tunnel — 28 miles