“Rye is like an old beautifully jewelled brooch worn at South-England’s throat.” – Patric Dickinson, poet

One of England’s best-preserved medieval towns, Rye is a maze of cobbled streets and tiny passageways. It’s home to Henry James’ Lamb House, its church is nearly a millennium old, and its former defence, the Ypres Tower, dates from 1250.

A few miles away lies laid-back Camber Sands, the longest stretch of sandy beach in East Sussex (recently dubbed the UK’s answer to Long Island), bordered by the nature reserve of Rye Harbour.

But it’s Rye’s antique treasure troves, trendy eateries, beautifully curated shops and art galleries that keep its time-worn lanes buzzing with bohemian newcomers and urban creatives.

Climb the spire at St Mary’s church, immerse yourself in nature at Great Dixter, the family home of gardener Christopher Lloyd, or blow away the cobwebs with a local walk…