Landgate Cottage
Landgate Cottage is available for rent for the first time this season. Newly refurbished, it rests on the very edge of the Rye citadel where smugglers once crept the cobbled streets by night. This coastal town has fortified itself against invaders for centuries and Landgate Cottage is rumoured to have been the gatekeeper’s cottage in times gone by. It still retains all its traditional features, while providing a modern and comfortable living space for couples or families.
In winter, curl up with a book on the soft, deep sofa before a roaring open fire, or toast your toes while playing a board game or game of cards. In summer, eat out in the pretty, walled courtyard garden and make the most of the dappled sun between neighbouring trees.
The perfect base to explore the town, you can take a walk to the harbour and select your own freshly-caught fish, stroll the ramparts of the citadel overlooking Romney Marsh, or hide in the dunes of nearby Camber Sands. With numerous artisan shops, galleries and privately-owned boutiques, not to mention the wide range of cuisine and fine dining available on every street, there is something to occupy you every day of the week.
- Sleeps 4, one double bedroom, one twin bedroom (converts to a double bed)
- Shower, bath, basin and WC
- Dining table to seat 4 comfortably
- Open fire
- TV/DVD playerwith Ipod deck, board games
- Private courtyard garden with decking terrace
- Cot and stair guard available
- Easy parking
The cottage in detail…
Landgate Cottage sleeps four in two first-floor, light and airy bedrooms that look directly out onto the ancient stone of the Landgate Arch. Lie safely in bed while imagining arrows being fired from the Arch’s slit windows, as the citadel brought out its defences in the face of attack. The Arch is subtly lit at night, casting a romantic glow and crooked shadows that can be seen from the generous cottage windows.
The main bedroom features a luxurious double bed with freshly ironed linen, soft, plump towels and bedside cabinets in keeping with the cottage-style of the house. The room has traditional beams and is softly lit to enhance the cosy, relaxing, home-from-home atmosphere. A bedside table and mirror, drawers and a cupboard for hanging space are provided and the bathroom is just a short step across the landing.
The second bedroom can be either a twin or double, as required. Benefiting from the same view and similar dimensions to the master bedroom, the twin beds can be zipped together to make a substantial, comfortable double. As with the master bedroom, the room is completed with subtly painted bedside tables and a dressing table with chair and mirror. Plenty of hanging space and shelving are also provided to allow you to unpack and really settle in.
The bathroom is within easy reach of both rooms and has been completely refurbished with brand new fittings including a basin and WC, a deep, luxurious bath and a powerful shower. Spotlessly clean and light, it looks out over the terrace and onto nearby gardens, roofs and grand old trees.
Moving downstairs to the cosy living space, the main feature of the sitting room is the open fire, for which logs are provided free of charge. Pull up one of the comfy chairs or take possession of the soft, deep, quality sofa and gaze into the flames. With double aspect windows, you can look out on the Landgate Arch and the courtyard garden, and the room has plenty of natural light.
Medieval, but with all mod cons…
Blending comfortable, contemporary furnishings with traditional beams and antiques, a TV and DVD player are also provided, as well as board games and cards. Set up your laptop on the gate-leg table, or select one of the books from the shelves of the antique dresser. A small selection of books and DVDs are provided, but we recommend that you also bring your own.
The kitchen-breakfast room leads off from the sitting room and opens out onto the courtyard garden. With pretty, custom-made cabinets and oak work surfaces, the room is fitted with a deep, traditional Belfast sink which rests beneath the sash window. With cupboards, an attractive dresser and fridge-freezer, there is plenty of space to prepare meals and store food. The modern electric oven has ceramic hobs, and a microwave and washing machine are also provided. Sit down for breakfast on cushioned pews around the room’s main attraction – a rough-hewn oak table built around a beam and looking out onto the courtyard.
A door from the kitchen can be thrown open onto the courtyard garden to let in the fresh air. Bound with attractive, low stone walls and plants, this area attracts the sun for most of the day and is the perfect place to relax. Enjoy a cup of tea or glass of wine on the tastefully weathered decking, which is kitted out with a table, chairs and barbecue to allow you to dine outdoors.
The Landgate Cottage is centrally heated throughout, with extra heating provided by the open fire in winter. Cosy, comfortable and centrally located in the heart of Rye, it is the ideal place to enjoy a self-catered holiday or short break any time of the year. Don’t miss Rye’s famous November fireworks display and torch-lit procession, which goes right past the cottage windows. Another special event in the winter calendar is the Christmas parade in December which also passes by the cottage as part of Rye’s Christmas Festival.
Parking is easy with street parking outside the cottage and long term car parks within 150 metres.
Easy transport links…
Just 40 minutes from the EuroTunnel at Folkestone, 50 minutes from Dover ferry terminal and 30mins from Ashford International Eurostar station, Rye is easily accessible from the continent. Rye train station is just a five minute walk from the Landgate Cottage and connects to the Ashford mainline, bound for London, as well as the Hastings, Eastbourne and Brighton coastal route.
Landgate Cottage is also within easy reach of the Battle of Hastings sites, Bodiam Castle, Rudyard Kipling’s house Batemans, and Christopher Lloyd’s stunning gardens at Great Dixter. With the added attraction of the long sandy beach at Camber Sands, this area of Sussex has more than enough to cater for every taste, interest or activity. Please see our ‘Things to See’ page for more information on what to do in the area.
Welcome Pack…
All guests will receive a welcome pack containing locally produced milk, home made jam or marmalade, apple juice and fresh free-range eggs from our neighbour’s farm, along with other items of local produce, according to the season.
Trained assistance dogs are welcome but we regret that pets are not allowed in Landgate Cottage  .
Landgate Cottage, 23 Tower Street, Rye, East Sussex, TN31 7AT.