Updated: May 2026
After visiting Hastings, we decided to explore a few nearby places that neither of us had visited before. Rye immediately caught my attention — a historic town known for its cobbled streets, medieval buildings, and the famous Mermaid Street.
I had seen countless photographs of the street in guidebooks and online, all describing it as a “must-see” destination in East Sussex. Naturally, I wanted to discover what made it so special.
Nearby Camber Sands also appealed for completely different reasons. Known for its sweeping dunes and sandy beach, it offered a contrast to Rye’s historic charm. Although I am not really a beach person, I could understand why so many families are drawn to this part of the coast.
So we set off to explore both.
Exploring Famous Mermaid Street
I visited Rye with my partner after enthusiastically talking up Mermaid Street so much that he too became curious to see what all the fuss was about.
It was easy enough to find. The narrow cobbled street, lined with historic buildings, certainly looked picturesque, and we spent time slowly walking up and down admiring the old houses and taking photographs from every angle.
Like many other visitors around us, we were trying to capture the perfect view of one of England’s most photographed streets.
Although we appreciated the architecture and history of the street, we both quietly wondered if we were missing something. Perhaps we had built the experience up too much in our minds after reading so much about it beforehand.
Still, Rye itself had a charm that was impossible to ignore.
Small Details That Stayed With Me
One of the things that fascinated me most was this tiny door — probably the smallest door I had ever seen.
Sometimes it is the unexpected little details that stay in your memory more than the main attraction itself.
Discovering the Mermaid Inn
Just as we were about to leave the area, we spotted a photograph of the famous Mermaid Inn displayed in the window of one of the artisan shops. Suddenly we realised we had completely missed one of the street’s most famous landmarks.
We immediately returned for another look.
The Mermaid Inn is said to be steeped in history, with stories of smugglers, hidden passages, and even ghost sightings linked to some of its rooms. Apparently, stepping inside is like travelling back in time, especially with its enormous old fireplace and centuries-old interior.
We decided not to venture inside ourselves, though the stories certainly added to the atmosphere of the street.
Was it worth returning to Mermaid Street? For us, probably not. But the experience did make us slow down and appreciate Rye itself a little more.
Rye Beyond Mermaid Street
There was far more to Rye than just one famous street.
As we wandered back towards the town centre, we enjoyed exploring the historic High Street, independent shops, and old buildings that gave the town its character.
At the top of the High Street, we spotted the windmills standing proudly in the distance — calm, still, and beautifully framed against the sky.
The Landgate — Rye’s Medieval Gateway
For me, one of the most interesting parts of Rye was actually The Landgate.
Built in 1329 to help defend the town, it is the only remaining fortified gate in Rye and still stands proudly today. Walking beneath it felt like stepping briefly into another era of English history.
The road beneath the gate is still in use, so visitors need to be careful when stopping for photographs, but it is an impressive structure both from the front and the back.
Its scale, strength, and history made much more of an impression on me than Mermaid Street itself.
Rye Harbour Nature Reserve
Another highlight of the visit was Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, one of the most fascinating wildlife areas in Sussex.
The reserve offers over twenty kilometres of walking paths, many of them wheelchair accessible, making it suitable for visitors of all ages. It is peaceful, family-friendly, and ideal for anyone who enjoys open landscapes, birdlife, and fresh sea air.
The Discovery Centre was also well worth visiting, with lots of interesting information about the local environment and wildlife.
One of my favourite photographs from the reserve was this striking little red-roofed hut standing alone against the wide open landscape.
I still love the simplicity of this photograph — the contrast of the bright roof against the blue sky and earthy landscape makes it quietly beautiful.
We also walked along the old harbour wall between Rye and Camber Sands.
Combining Rye and Camber Sands
Because Rye and Camber Sands are so close to one another, they work perfectly as a combined day trip or short break in East Sussex.
Although Mermaid Street itself did not quite live up to the anticipation for us, Rye as a whole was still well worth visiting. Between the medieval history, charming streets, nature reserve, and nearby coastline, the town slowly reveals its character the more time you spend exploring it.
And sometimes, those quieter discoveries become the parts you remember most.
You may wish to read about my post on UK Staycations — Exploring Closer to Home
