Rye

Rye is where I go when I want to leave Hastings for a day, without wasting hours on a train. A 20-minute train journey is enough for me to get to Rye and get a change of air. Hourly train departs from London St Pancras and you'll be in Rye in just around one hour and fifteen minutes. So if you want to spend a relaxing day in a picturesque little town where you can wander in narrow cobbled streets, enjoy an authentic afternoon tea and some antiques shopping, then hop on a train to Rye.

Mermaid Street 

When you go to Rye, do not forget to go inside St. Mary's Parish Church and up the Tower, where you get a 360° view of Rye and its surroundings.  It's definitely worth the £3 entrance fee. However, if you are claustrophobic, I would not recommend this place since you have to walk through narrow corridors and stairs.

On a grey morning - January 2013

The Cobbles Tea Room is where I'm used to going when I go to Rye. They offer a good range of different teas, nice coffee and last but not least : delicious food, from light lunches and jacket potatoes to cakes and scones. (Just make sure you have some cash as they do not accept cards.)

Next time I visit Rye, I definitely need to go to Edith's House which I discovered through reviews on TripAdvisor, and which seems to be the cutest place for an afternoon tea. Moreover, I also plan on walking from Rye to Camber Sands, so be prepared for a new article about Rye in a few months !

Have you ever been to Rye ? 

Is it the sort of town you would enjoy visiting ?

Ode to Hastings #1

From the moment I set foot in Hastings, 

I think I immediately fell in love 

with this quaint sea-side town.

Back to the 24th of september 2013, I left my dear Limousin to travel by plane from Limoges to London Stansted, by bus from Stansted to Victoria and then by train from Victoria to Hastings (East Sussex). As I was getting closer and closer to Hastings, I was feeling more and more thrilled, this lovely feeling of total excitement, happiness, and a bit of apprehension as I was heading to a new life.

For the last few miles before arriving in Hastings, the railway follows the coastline with pretty beach huts and it was already heaven for me as I always found that the sea has a comforting and soothing effect. Living by the sea, what's even better than that ?

Very soon I started exploring this lovely town. Hastings was iconic for me as 1066 was the first landmark of British History I studied during my degree at university.

In Hastings, you have everything you need, the benefits of a sea-side resort, countryside, the Old Town with lovely streets hiding little gems, and a lively town-center with all commodities. 

My favourite place is West Hill because it offers the most wonderful view over Hastings. East Hill also offers a nice view, and an access to Hastings Country Park. 

Hastings Old Town is also such a nice place for a gentle stroll.

George Street wearing its Christmas suit

One of Hastings curiosities is the Stade where you can find Britain's biggest fleet of beach-launched boats. I always love to wander there, in this strange atmosphere, around the boats and the famous black net shops.

Even if Hastings beach is not the most beautiful beach you will ever see in your life, it is always nice to just sit on the pebbles, watch the sea, a stunning sunset and the silhouette of the old burnt down pier.

I really hope you enjoyed your stay in Hastings if you ever went there and I do really hope this article might convince at least a few people to come and spend some time in lovely Hastings !