A Spontaneous Day Trip to Rye (and the One Backpack I’m Glad I Brought)

I didn’t plan for Rye. No notes, no route, no “must-see” list.

Just a train ticket from London and a need to leave the city for a few hours.
What I found was a tiny English village that looked like it had been painted from memory: sloped rooftops, castle fields, pastel shutters, and streets too narrow for anything but walking.

🏡 Why Rye Surprised Me

I had been aiming for the Cotswolds, but Rye was closer.
It turned out to be everything I imagined a British village could be—quiet, crooked, charming.
Shops along the high street felt like time capsules. The path up to the ruins opened into a field where I half-hoped I’d see sheep. (Didn’t happen—but the view made up for it.)
Panoramic view of Rye village and rooftops from the open field

🚆 How to Get There

  • London St Pancras → Ashford International
  • Transfer to a local train → Rye
  • ⏱ Total journey: 1.5 hours
Historic stone arch entrance leading into the village of Rye

🍽 Where I Ate

  • Lunch: The George in Rye – steak and burger were excellent, skip the oysters
  • Tea: The Cobbles Tea Room – affordable, cozy, and generous with the cream and jam
Classic pub lunch with burger and fries served at The George in Rye

🎒 What I Carried

Even without a plan, I brought my lightweight waterproof backpack. It’s my go-to for one reason: it never gets in the way, but it’s always enough.
I carried:
  • Windbreaker
  • Snacks
  • Book
  • Water
  • A few surprise buys from local shops
Scenic walking path with tall grass and blue sky near Rye Castle ruins
It kept everything dry when the sky turned, and felt light enough that I barely noticed it.

🌤 Final Thoughts

No pressure, no checklist, just a place that felt like stepping sideways into a storybook.
If you’re in London and craving air and stillness, Rye is 1.5 hours away—and very worth it.

🔗 Backpack Mention (Link Section)

The lightweight waterproof backpack
I brought was compact, weatherproof, and flexible enough for whatever Rye handed me. [See it here →]

评论

此博客中的热门博文

A Scenic Hike from Loch Lomond to Helensburgh with Just a Travel Waterproof Backpack

The Hike That Changed My Mind About Tenerife (And Myself)

🧳 What’s in My Everyday Bag: The Expandable Edition