STAYCATIONS with a Story

From grand castles to cosy inns, the UK has a wealth of beautiful and historic places to stay, many of which have tales to tell, says Jenny Oldaker

- Jenny Oldaker

The Mermaid Inn, East Sussex

If you’ve ever fancied walking in the footsteps of one of Britain’s most infamous smuggling gangs, The Mermaid Inn in medieval Rye on the south-east coast is the place to stay. It was at the inn’s Giant’s Fireplace Bar that the notorious Hawkhurst Gang caroused in the 1730s and 1740s, when The Mermaid was one of their strongholds. Evidence of secret passageways in the hotel speak of this time in its history, and the plethora of original features in the bar today make it easy to imagine the gang holding forth by the ancient fireplace.

The building itself dates back to 1420, though its cellars are thought to be even older. The historic character of the place is sensitively maintained and details that sing of the building’s long past include ancient wooden beams, leaded windows and uneven floors – while a quotation from Love’s Labour’s Lost in Dr Syn’s Lounge, dated 1597, points to a famous literary figure connected to the hotel. Such features provide a powerful sense of the building’s heritage, yet they are balanced with modern-day comforts, making for a historically evocative yet eminently cosy stay. The hotel’s setting fits its ancient pedigree too, and it’s hardly surprising that Mermaid Street is one of the most photographed thoroughfares in Britain, thanks to its antiquated, cobbled charm.

From smugglers to William Shakespeare, this atmospheric place is a must-stay for anyone who likes their hotels with a side order of history. Rooms from £140 per night, including breakfast Mermaid Street, Rye, TN31 7EY; mermaidinn.com

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