DAYSOUT
MONNELLIS SOURDOUGH GOURMET PIZZA THE UNION © Sam A Harris THE PLOUGH © Sam A Harris
© Chris Mitchell / Unsplash
CAMBER SANDS
Not to get too far away from our home county of Kent , venture back east and find yourself in the border towns of Hastings and Rye . Long before William the Conqueror made his landings on the beaches of nearby Pevensey , Hastings was the principal town of a small Saxon province that straddled the county border . Today , Hastings is a vibrant little town complete with a pier and lots of lovely coastal photo opportunities . The ‘ old part ’ of Hastings consists of a network of narrow streets and alleyways – or twittens – which lie between the East and West Hill . There are two cliff railways , one running up each of the hills . The East Hill Railway , the steepest in England , takes passengers to the cliff top and the beginning of Hastings County Park . After a day exploring , visit Monnellis Sourdough Gourmet Pizza for seriously tasty fresh pizza – so good you can ’ t even book due to high demand ! Try your luck with a seat , or take it away and eat on the beach .
The old and very picturesque town of nearby Rye was once a Royal Cinque Port and its hilltop location still has wonderful views overlooking the Romney Marsh and the Rother Estuary . Strategically important , a substantial perimeter wall was built to defend the northern approaches and one of its four gateways , the Landgate , still survives today . As well as incredible history , charming streets and plenty of postcard-perfect tableaus , Rye is also a fabulous place to visit for antique shops and food . For brunch and cocktails , visit The Fig an independent lively café with rooms . Expect vibrant healthy food and some seriously good brunch
favourites made using local produce including sourdough bread from Judges Bakery in Hastings and coffee from Andbloss in Ashford . Four individually designed boutique bedrooms sit above the café – for adults only .
Another foodie gem in the heart of Rye is The Union , a restaurant and bar set in a beautiful 15thcentury building with a menu made from seasonal produce that is primarily British and local to Rye and the East Sussex region . The small menu changes daily depending on what ingredients are best and what is available each day . The cooking style at The Union is unpretentious and simple . Start with Colchester oysters and jalapeño relish and a glass of Westwell Pelegrim and scoop up house-made ricotta and Jerusalem artichoke , rosemary and Kentish honey with caraway crackers . Main courses perfect for sharing , or just keeping to yourself , include whole partridge and house black pudding ; wild venison , lardo and myrtle berry ; and , for a real treat , a tranche of stunningly fresh wild halibut with brown crab bisque . For pudding try the apple and pear tart tatin and whiskey cream for two . The Union ’ s sister restaurant , The Plough , is less than five miles away on the Udimore Road with views over the fields down to the sea . The Plough is a countryside destination pub with a menu of small and large plates served alongside a selection of pub classics .
Make your stay in Rye that little bit longer and far more special with a stay at River House Rye . With a funky 70 ’ s inspired aesthetic fit to transport anyone back to a time of bold bright colours and
RIVER HOUSE RYE
geometric shapes , this space that sleeps six is one that ’ s sure to stick in your mind forever . With a kitchen complete with today ’ s modern amenities ( we love the 70s , but we love our luxuries too !) and three gorgeous bedrooms boasting groovy interiors , hairdryers and smart TVs , River House Rye is ideal for a friends or family getaway . Step straight out onto Rye ’ s sloped streets or take a trip to the magnificent sweeping beach and stunning dunes of nearby Camber Sands .
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