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The Mermaid Inn

Mermaid Street, RYE, East Sussex, TN31 7EB
3 AA Stars 3 AA Stars 3 AA Stars 3 AA Stars Hotel

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1879 reviews1879 reviews
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Tel+44 (0)1797 223065

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From £90.00
Dr Syn's bedchamber at The Mermaid Inn, Rye

About

Welcome to the unique Mermaid Inn, rich in history and a reputation for being haunted, 600 years of history and there are so many stories. Cellars dating from 1156 and rebuilt in 1420 with 31 unique rooms to choose from.

The Mermaid Inn offers a totally different experience; sloping ceilings, creaking floorboards and numerous staircases, a rich tradition that is maintained by careful stewardship.

Experience a drink in the Giant’s Fireplace Bar and imagine how the Hawkhurst Gang, local smugglers in the 1730s and 1740s, caroused there. Can you see the secret passageway entrance? Dine in the linenfold-panelled restaurant and enjoy the food, service and special ambience that our 2 AA Rosette restaurant offers. (Book here on OpenTable.) Relax in one of the two lounges. 

Take a tour with our interactive walk-through!

The Mermaid Inn sits on the cobbled Mermaid Street ,which is one of the main routes into the citadel of Rye. It is one of the most photographed streets in Britain, and leads the vistor to The Mermaid Inn, which is the perfect location from which to explore Rye.

One of the best preserved medieval towns in England, Rye is home to the impressive Norman church of St Mary’s, a rich selection of specialist shops and a thriving fishing fleet. Camber Castle, built by Henry VIII is located in the dramatic Rye Harbour Nature Reserve.

Rye was once surrounded on three sides by the sea and its maritime heritage dates back to Norman times. To defend it against frequent attacks from the French, Rye became an ‘antient town’ of the powerful Cinque Ports Confederation.

Visit the Rye Museum which has sites at East Street and the Ypres Tower, the second oldest building in Rye open to the public, built in the early 14th century and part of the town’s defensive walls. Take time to discover its architectural treasures and narrow passageways.

Climb the tower of St Mary’s Parish Church for fine views to Rye Harbour Nature Reserve and the beautiful hilltop town of Winchelsea, with its maze of medieval wine cellars.

Rye has always been a magnet for writers and artists. Lamb House, a National Trust property, was once the home of Henry James and later E.F.Benson, creator of the Mapp and Lucia books. The artists Paul Nash, Edward Burra and Captain Pugwash creator John Ryan all lived in Rye.

Guide Prices

Number of Rooms / Units
31
Room / Unit TypeRoom / Unit Tariff*
Double en suitefrom £140.00 to £220.00 per room per night (breakfast included)
Family en suite£210.00 per room per night (breakfast included)
Single en suite£90.00 per room per night (breakfast included)
Twin en suite£150.00 per room per night (breakfast included)

*As a guide, prices are per room per night for hotels, guest houses, B&Bs and serviced apartments and per week for self-catering accommodation.

Note: Prices are a guide only. For further information please visit the website.

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

4.5 of 5 stars
    • Service
      4.5 of 5 stars
    • Value
      4 of 5 stars
    • Cleanliness
      4.5 of 5 stars
    • Location
      5 of 5 stars
    • Excellent
      1179
    • Very Good
      449
    • Average
      162
    • Poor
      51
    • Terrible
      38

    Recent Reviews:

    • Turtles11
      Southampton, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Couples
      What a fab place to come for lunch and a drink
      5 of 5 stars
      Thursday, 7th March 2024
      Came to the iconic Mermaid Street and decided to stop for lunch. The bar was busy which is always a good sign at the beginning of a week. Had a fishfinger sandwich with chips. The chips were... Read full review
    • 796dbpo
      Herne, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Couples
      A stay back in time
      5 of 5 stars
      Saturday, 16th March 2024
      Stayed here for three nights with another couple, if you are looking for luxury you won't find it here but if you want quaint and quirkyness in abundance you get it first hand. if you can survive the... Read full review
    • MF1471
      Relaxed, comfortable experience
      5 of 5 stars
      Thursday, 21st March 2024
      The staff make you feel so welcome. This is a very old Inn, the rooms are cosy and warm, beds comfortable which ensures a good nights sleep. It is situated centrally in Rye, so makes walking... Read full review

    Map & Directions

    Road Directions

    Rye is a short drive from the M20, leaving the motorway at Ashford on the A2070 or if travelling south, on the A21, take the A268 to Rye.

    Public Transport Directions

    From Rye Station, follow the road straight up past the post office, onto Market Road, then take right onto High Street. Then left opposite Old Bell Pub.

    Facilities

    Accessibility

    • No dogs (Guide dogs accepted)

    Catering

    • Additional Meal Details - Vegetarian/Vegan
    • Bar
    • Bar meals
    • Cater for vegetarians - and other special dietary requirements
    • Restaurant
    • Room Service
    • Serve breakfast - 0800-1000. Full English also continental available.
    • Serve evening meal - 1900-2115, main restaurant, bar meals. Not sun.
    • Serve lunch - 1200-1430, main restaurant. Bar food also available.
    • Special diets catered for - Prior notice may be required.

    Children & Infants

    • Accept children (Minimum age) - 0
    • Cot
    • Food/bottle warming available
    • Highchair

    Establishment Features

    • 24 hr return laundry service
    • Accept coach parties
    • Available for wedding receptions - Beautiful Tudor room. Maximum 90 seated. 80 buffet. Dance floor also.
    • Business facilities (eg. Fax/ modem) - We can provide business facilities, i.e. fax, send/receive e-mails.
    • Central heating throughout
    • Children aged 5+yrs welcome
    • Conference facilities
    • Event venue
    • Garden/patio for guests' use
    • Ironing facilities
    • LGBT Friendly
    • Night porter
    • Open Christmas - Inclusive package 2, 3 or 4 nights.
    • Open New Year
    • Pre-school children welcome (0-4yrs)
    • Public Telephone
    • Real log/coal fires
    • Separate guests' lounge
    • Welcome single sex groups, eg stag/hen parties
    • Wireless Internet Access

    Leisure Facilities

    • Fitness facilities close by
    • Golf Course close by
    • Swimming Pool close by

    Parking & Transport

    • Car parking - Room for a limited number of cars in car park at rear of hotel. Public car parks nearby.
    • Free parking
    • Railway station within walking distance

    Payment Methods

    • American Express accepted
    • Delta accepted
    • Euros accepted
    • JCB accepted
    • Maestro Accepted
    • MasterCard accepted
    • Solo accepted
    • Sterling Travellers Cheques accepted
    • Visa accepted

    Provider Preferences

    • Celebrity connection - Visited frequently by celebrities.
    • Film or TV location - Many times. Especially by Prince Edward. Many ghost programmes and cookery programmes shot from here too.
    • Haunted - Reputed to be several ghosts. Visitors have witnessed fights in period costume with the loser being thrown down an old hidden staircase.
    • In town/city centre
    • Inn
    • Non smoking establishment
    • Of historic, literary or architectural interest - Grade II Listed building. Rebuilt 1420. Cellars 1156.

    Room / Unit Features

    • All rooms non-smoking
    • Baths some rooms
    • Broadband - WiFi available free of charge.
    • Colour television in all bedrooms
    • Four poster beds available
    • Hairdryer in all bedrooms
    • Non smoking rooms available
    • Radio in all bedrooms
    • Shaver Point/s
    • Tea & coffee making facilities in all bedrooms
    • Telephone in all bedrooms

    Specialist Features

    • Aim to attract conferences and business meetings
    • Marketed as gay friendly
    • Special provisions for cyclists - safe car park
    • Special provisions for walkers

    Opening Times

    Open Christmas
    Open New Year
    2024 (1 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2024)

    Video

    • Ghosts

    Gradings

    • 3 AA Stars Hotel
    3 AA Stars Hotel

    Awards

    • AA Awards -2 AA Rosettes 2 AA Rosettes 2019
    • Regional and Miscellaneous -WTTC Safe Travels WTTC Safe Travels 2021

    What's Nearby

    1. National Trust's Lamb House is a portal into a world of literary connections.

      0.03 miles away
    2. Rye's delightful cinema, café-bar and function venue in renovated Victorian buildings.

      0.09 miles away
    3. If you're looking for things to do in Rye, don't miss the Rye Heritage Centre. Here…

      0.11 miles away
    1. Sometimes called the "cathedral of East Sussex", the Parish Church of Rye, dedicated to…

      0.12 miles away
    2. The East Street Museum was originally a bottling factory but it now houses exhibitions…

      0.14 miles away
    3. Many displays on smuggling, military, police, coastal and maritime history and with…

      0.17 miles away
    4. Rye Bay E-bikes is a small, family run electric bike company currently based just south…

      0.94 miles away
    5. Camber Castle was one link in the chain of forts built along the south coast by Henry…

      1.1 miles away
    6. Rye Harbour Nature Reserve is an important wildlife site set in an exceptional coastal…

      1.38 miles away
    7. Join Full Throttle Boat Charters from Rye Harbour and head out to sea for an exhilarating…

      1.56 miles away
    8. Cycle the nature reserve at Rye Harbour.

      1.59 miles away
    9. This stunning stretch of sandy beach is home to the only sand dune system in East Sussex.…

      1.71 miles away
    10.   Winchelsea Court Hall Musuem illustrates the rich history of the ancient town of…

      2.02 miles away
    11. A family-run wine estate at Winchelsea in East Sussex.

      2.8 miles away
    12. Explore mile after mile of scenic off-road cycle path from the stunning Camber Sands.

      3.32 miles away
    13. Try a new sport on the awesome beaches of Camber Sands.

      3.32 miles away
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