Boutique, Interior Designed, Historic Property, Rye

East Sussex. Sleeps up to 8

Located centrally in historic Rye - regularly voted one of the prettiest towns in England - The Old Stout House reflects the amazing ancient character of the town, but is interior designed with a traditional meets contemporary twist. With furnishings from House of Hackney, Anthropologie and Abigail Ahern (to mention a few) the house is perfect for couples, families with older children or friend groups. Three stunning modern bathrooms and a mediterranean-style, south-facing garden filled with festoon lights for after dark, post-exploration, relaxing.

The Old Stout House was built as a pub in the 1700s so expect steep, twisting stairs, low beams in some rooms, wonky walls, sloping (original oak) floorboards and oodles of character. Every room is furnished in a glorious Georgian palette of colours with layers of pattern, texture and tone plus quirky finds and antiques everywhere. There is wood panelling in the sitting room, exposed beams in the top floor and lower ground floor rooms (which would have been the scullery, pub kitchen and beer cellar - still accessible, and with the baker's oven intact, but too low ceilinged for modern use) and original fireplaces aplenty. Unlike Georgian times, however, The Old Stout House now has gas central heating (with large, beaten gold, old school radiators in every room), double glazed multi-pane windows and fully insulated walls behind the beautiful black weatherboarded exterior. All the bedrooms are generous doubles, each with their own additional chairs/sofa for when you want a quiet moment. The bed linen is beautiful (in quality and design) as are the sheets and mattresses (memory foam on every bed) and there are two full bathrooms with shower, roll top bath and loo plus an ensuite shower room to Bedroom 4 and a cloakroom on the lower ground. The kitchen is very well equipped, whether for making a full Sunday roast for 8, a surprise birthday cake or mixing cocktails. The tableware is plentiful and lends itself to stylish breakfasts (maybe on the large garden table if it's nice) as well as feasts. There's a full sized 70/30 fridge freezer and a large walk-in pantry to store food (and more).

I am an experienced host with another established holiday let (Cloud Cabin in nearby Camber, also listed on Vrbo).

Rye itself is a thriving town with incredible history and a short drive from the stunning beach of Camber Sands (for swimming, SUPing, Kite surfing and most other water sports) and surrounded by incredible walking (and wine making) country. It's not far to up and coming Hastings in one direction or eerily beautiful Dungeness in the other. There's horse riding and wild swimming too.

But if you're feeling less active the dining and shopping scene in Rye just gets better and better with many fantastic restaurants and bars opening every month. The antiques hunting is legendary too. Rye is near many famous and historic castles, houses and gardens as well a multitude of pretty Sussex villages with thatched cottages, oast houses and beautiful scenery. Like most houses in Rye there is no parking (the Georgians preferring horses and carriages), however the station car park is just a 4 minute walk at £3.50 per day and there are also ar parks at £2 a day within a ten minute walk. You are only a three minute walk from the station itself and in the heart of Rye so it's quite possible to come with no car.

Located in Rye, this vacation home is by the sea. 1066 Country Walk and Rye Golf Club are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Rye Farm World and South of England Rare Breeds Centre. East Hill Lift and Shipwreck and Coastal Heritage Centre are also worth visiting. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.