Are you seeking a speedy day trip getaway from the hustle and bustle of London? Look no further than the charming town of Rye, located just over an hour away from London St Pancras. Trust me, it’s the perfect place to unwind and relax.
As a budget traveler, I always keep my expenses in check and try to stick to a budget of £50 for my day trips. Thankfully, the train journey to Rye was affordable, costing us less than £30 with just one change at another station.
As soon as we arrived, we couldn’t wait to explore this picturesque medieval citadel. With just a few spots on our list, we were free to wander around and get lost in the town’s winding streets.
One thing that caught my eye was the abundance of homemade and handcrafted shops. I was initially hesitant to buy anything since it was out of budget, but I couldn’t resist the unique products on offer. I ended up splurging on handmade candles, mugs, jams, cheeses, and pastries – basically everything I saw and wanted! Trust me, you’ll want to do the same.
After our shopping spree, we headed over to “The Globe Inn Marsh”, a charming 16th-century pub that offered the most delicious fish and chips we had ever tasted. And if you’re a fan of seafood, you’re in luck – the town is known for its fresh seafood, and you can find it at various restaurants and pubs.
We continued our exploration of Rye and stumbled upon the historic Mermaid Inn, which dates back to the 12th century. It’s said to be one of the most haunted buildings in the UK, but don’t let that scare you away – it’s definitely worth a visit.
Lunch at “The Hoof”
The High Street is where the shops and food places I liked the most are. In fact, I had on my list to stop for lunch at “The Hoof”. It’s a country-style restaurant serving the best cuts of beef from their farms and home grown potatoes. It was absolutely a gem of a place. From the quality of the food and good selection of wines, to the nice atmosphere and rustic interiors.
I bought local cheeses at “Rye Deli” where I spent all my money! Stopped for some fresh pastries and bread at “The Bakery @89” and homemade jams at “Simon the Pieman”. I went back home to London from my day trip to Rye with a lot of delicious treats
Camber Sands as day trip from London to Rye
After the lovely lunch we decided to go to Camber beach and we took a bus to go there.
I have to tell you, don’t make my same mistake. If you want to see the beach go there first as soon as you arrive in town. So you won’t panic if you’re running late to go back to the station. Buses in these little towns are not reliable. Mister Google maps says there are 2 buses 102 and 533 coming every hour, well, it’s a lie! The bus stop is just in front of the train station. We first took the number 533, the cost of the return tickets is £5.10, and you can pay on board.
It took us 15 minutes to reach the beach, the right stop is called “Pontins”. As soon as I saw the sea I was at peace. If you know me well, you know as much I love the sea, any seaside destinations. And Camber Sand didn’t disappoint me at all. It’s quite rare to find sand beaches in England, and to have one 1 hour from London is a blessing.
It was quiet, ok yeah, we went there on a Wednesday afternoon, end of March. This helped I know, it was peaceful, it wasn’t too windy, it wasn’t cold. Just perfect.
The way back to the station wasn’t as nice as the experience itself. We arrived at the bus stop with plenty of time, and the bus didn’t show up at the time it was supposed to arrive. This is why I’m telling you (and the locals told me as well!!) the buses are not reliable.
Next time I will stay in Rye longer, not only as Day trip from London
Long story short, the bus arrived at one point. Thanks to my Italian charm and silver tongue, I convinced the bus driver to speed up and we narrowly managed to get in the train.
Beside the drama with the buses, Rye remains one of my favourite little towns on the English seaside. I will go back for a couple of nights next time. I have so many restaurants and coffee shops in my list I want to try. I’d love to spend more time on the beach. Having a picnic with all the nice local food and a nice bottle of wine, while I watch the sunset.
Rye, a dream day trip from London.
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