Rye - a Winter escape

Mr Poachie and I recently booked a last minute stay at the beautiful Little Lavender Cottage in Iden, which is five minutes from the medieval town of Rye.

I had been feeling in a bit of a slump as was keen to take some time off and getaway. I asked on instagram where would be best to stay in Rye and so many people recommended this cottage. Once I took a look at the account myself it was exactly what I was looking for, so I was delighted when Lucy said that there was a gap in the cottages availability and on a rainy Tuesday afternoon we drove down to Iden and checked in.

I'll mention that Lucy also gave me a discount for our stay but this isn't a paid ad, her house is just too gorgeous to not share!

I was also really pleased that the cottage was dog friendly, its funny being a dog mama now there are so many places that you need to check if you are allowed in before entering! Thankfully Rye was SO dog friendly, everyone fussed over Rosie and she was allowed in most shops getting treats!

At the start of our trip, we visited Bodiam castle as it was on our way to the cottage but the weather gods were not on our side. There was a big storm coming, the winds were icy and it had started to rain so we did one very fast lap of the castle grounds and got back in the car to head to the cottage! 

I fell in love with this cottage immediately, it had really started to hammer down with rain and the cottage was so warm and welcoming.

Lucy had left us a welcome hamper filled with goodies, including a toy for Rosie! We lit the log burner and made ourselves at home.

Every room was decorated beautifully, the cottage has so many original features and Lucy had clearly spent a lot of time and love in choosing all of the ornaments and little touches that make a house a home. 

I really hope and pray I live in a house like this one day, it was so charming but not small, cold and pokey. There are 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and off road parking. There is outdoor seating (not that we used it for our stay) and it was beautifully clean.

It was also great having a bath tub, it was the best way to warm up after a cold blustery day at the beach!

We had already eaten a late lunch by the fire at a local pub so we spent the evening being cozy by the log burner, playing games and enjoying some wine.

The next day, the weather had improved so we got up and headed into Rye which was a five minute drive away. The first stop, was Knoops for a hot chocolate which was so good. I chose the 54% and loved it.

Rye is so gorgeous, but at Christmas its very special. Most doors have a wreath hanging and the shop windows are all decorated so beautifully. It made me feel very festive. We popped into the deli to buy some local wine and chocolates and I bought myself some festive flowers, we stopped off at the Bell pub for some bubbles and a beer for Mr Poachie.

I swear each time I visit Rye I take the same photo's but its so pretty I cannot resist.

As the weather was decent we took Rosie to Camber Sands for a runaround and for her to see the sea! 

She absolutely loved it and wasn't afraid of the water. At this time of year the beach is dog friendly and it was great to see so many other people there and other pups for Rosie to meet! Being at the beach though was SO COLD. We had changed into warmer coats and put wellies on but the winds were bonkers. Also Rosie is still a puppy and shouldn't be walking for much longer than 30 mins a day so we didn't stay for long but I am glad she enjoyed it and I cant wait to visit again.

This bed was so comfy.

Warming up in the bath but Rosie is so nosey and doesn't give me a moments peace! Love her little face.

That evening we headed back in to Rye to have supper at the Globe Inn which we have both been to before. Its a really quirky pub with a standard menu but I feel like it has gone downhill a bit.. 

We were both shattered so went back to the cottage for films and games of Battleships! The cottage has a games cupboard with a great selection to keep you entertained.

I love looking at all the different wreaths on the doors.

I was very sad to be leaving. It really felt like home and we had had such a relaxing break. On our last day we drove to Appledore which is a little village about 15 minutes from the cottage. We had a wander around and admired all of the houses and also found this wonderful antique emporium which I ended up buying quite a lot of wonderful trinkets from! 

Appledore isn't very big, there is a pub, a coffee shop/florist and a church so after finding my antique goodies we headed back home but via The Bell in Ticehurst for lunch.

Again its another quirky pub, the mens bathrooms involve urinating into a big tubas! Not that I have been in there myself, I have been told...

Feeling full and relaxed we made our way home. It really was so good to getaway and I came back feeling rested and ready for Christmas. I would like to stay at this cottage again in the summer as it would be nice to stay so close to the beach.

I hope you are all ready for Christmas?! Thank you all for reading my blog and for your kind comments this year, it means the world.

Merry Christmas.