The Mermaid

The cinque port of Rye, on the Sussex coast overlooking Romney Marsh, is one of my favourite places to spend a couple of days of wandering and unwinding. I love the densely cobbled streets and ancient architecture of the old town.

We are here staying at a lovely old hotel, the Hope Anchor, where the rooms make clever use of an eccentric old building and the staff could not be more friendly and helpful.

Nearby is one of Rye's gems, the historic Mermaid Inn, with cellars dating back to 1156 and the upper structure rebuilt in 1420. Yes, nearly 700 years ago!

We had lunch today in the inn's Giant's Fireplace Bar, where the infamous Hawkhurst Gang of local smugglers used to carouse late into the night in the 1730s and '40s. No wonder the place has a reputation for being haunted!