<![CDATA[Marsh View Cottage, self catering holiday cottage in Camber Sands, Rye, East Sussex - the accommodation - Blog]]>Mon, 09 Mar 2026 04:34:50 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Romney Marsh and local area]]>Thu, 27 Apr 2017 14:35:52 GMThttps://www.marshviewcottage.co.uk/blog/romney-marsh-and-local-areaRomney Marsh is the collective name for three marshes – Walland Marsh, Romney Marsh and Denge Marsh. These marshes stretch from  East Sussex into Kent, covering around 100 square miles.

The marsh you can see directly behind Marsh View Cottage is Walland Marsh. Part of the bigger Romney Marsh, Walland Marsh has been designated SSSI status [Site of Special Scientific Interest] as it is an important habitat for a variety of wildlife and rare and protected plants and wildlife.
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Some of these include the protected great crested newt as well as common newts [often found basking on the path leading to our front door!], marsh frogs, stoats, badgers,rabbits, hares, Sussex emerald moth, a variety of birds, Emperor dragonfly, marsh mallow moth, to name just a few.
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​Romney Marsh is sometimes referred to as ‘The Fifth Continent’. It was dubbed this in the 19th century by Thomas Ingoldsby, an author, who wrote – ‘’The world, according to the best geographers, is divided into Europe, Asia, America, Africa and Romney Marsh.’’
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Romney Marsh, Rye and Camber were the birthplace of smuggling in southern England. This land, reclaimed from the sea following a great storm in the 13th century, made good grazing land for sheep. The export of their wool was highly taxed and poorly policed. Wool smuggling fluctuated according to the laws of the land and market forces at the time. During the 15th century, wool prices in this country fell, and there was temptation to smuggle overseas for more profit. By the 17th century, this had reached a huge scale, and Romney Marsh and the local area, including Rye and Camber Sands [the dunes made a good hiding place] were at the very heart of the wool smuggling trade. Soon, the goods being smuggled in and out of the country, to nearby mainland Europe, expanded to include tobacco, brandy, tea, lace, silk, and more.
​There are 14 ancient churches on Romney Marsh. There used to be around eight more, but these have now disappeared over the passing centuries. This is a high number of churches in a comparatively small area. Many of these churches were themselves involved with the smuggling trade. Under cover of darkness, the smugglers would take their contraband to at least four of these churches, where an obliging cleric would hide the goods in the church vaults and other places that were unlikely to be searched. The church in Ivychurch is said to have a secret passage leading to the inn next door.
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The churches are interesting to visit. We haven’t visited them all ourselves yet. If you only have time to visit one, we would recommend Thomas a Becket in Fairfield. This ancient little church is surrounded by sheep and the water courses that cover the marsh which serve to help protect against flooding. The village of Fairfield, which it served, has long since disappeared, making the church isolated. On the notice board is a note explaining where you can get the key from to have a look inside.
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]]><![CDATA[Dungeness]]>Sat, 11 Mar 2017 09:49:52 GMThttps://www.marshviewcottage.co.uk/blog/dungenessA few miles to the east of Marsh View Cottage, just across the border into Kent, lies Dungeness.
Probably most well known for its nuclear power station, Dungeness is so much more than that. It is one of the most unique environments in the UK and habitat to around 600 species of plants and rare insects.
It has the largest vegetated shingle beach in Europe and two lighthouses. The oldest was built around 1901 and is now decommissioned and open for tourists to visit.
​Dungeness also has its own beach dwelling community who live in an assortment of housing, including converted railway carriages.
Dungeness is bleak, yet with its own unique beauty too. The beach is ‘other  worldy’ and scattered with long ago abandoned fishing boats, fishermens huts, nets and other fishing related objects.
​The Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway runs through here too and is worth a trip on.
It is said that some of the very  finest fish and chips can be eaten at The Pilot Inn, while the Dungeness Snack Shack serves some of the best ‘beach food’ around. The fish in their food is as fresh as it gets and all caught from their own fishing boats daily. Their food includes crab and lobster rolls, fish cakes, firshermens rolls and smoked cod chowder. Opening times are seasonal.
We recommend a visit to Dungeness.  It is not only a fascinating place, but also an artists and photographers paradise with its unique landscape.
]]><![CDATA[Getting ready for next summer!]]>Sat, 07 Nov 2015 12:57:39 GMThttps://www.marshviewcottage.co.uk/blog/getting-ready-for-next-summerYes, I know it's only early November and trick or treaters have only just gone home and the fireworks are still smouldering, but we are already gearing up to be ready for our busiest time of year!

We still have the fantastic Rye Bonfire parade and fireworks ahead of us this year as well as all the Christmas preparations. Rye is set to put on a great Christmas event this year, with new organisers working hard to make the annual parade a real day to remember.
We are booked for Christmas and New Year and every December weekend is booked too. It seems taking a break by the sea, especially so close to one of the UK's prettiest ancient towns is as popular as ever whatever the time of year.

I am already preparing for Christmas at home too. With a large family and Christmas lunch to cook for 12 people it's never too early to start. Then there are the decorations to do - both at home and in Marsh View Cottage. Gifts to buy and wrap and making sure everything is perfect for our guests over the festive period.It's a busy time coming up.

But, as busy as we are in November and December, the busiest time of a year from a holiday home owners point of view starts on Boxing Day. From then on until around the end of February we are overwhelmed with enquiries and bookings for the year ahead. Popular dates are booked very quickly - Easter, all school holidays,Bank Holiday weekends, the following New Year and Christmas, and of course the entire summer.

Every summer and other popular dates we are inundated with more enquiries wanting to book.We have to disappoint them which is such a shame.Early booking really is essential and it seems that just as soon as Christmas is over, then we are thinking of getting away.For popular dates we could book our little cottage many times over.
As our holiday cottage is on the borders with Kent, less than 2 hours from London and so close to mainland Europe we also have many overseas guests wanting to explore the south east. They especially love that they can easily take day trips into London when based with us.

The local area not only has one of the UK's finest sandy beaches and the only sand dunes in East Sussex but is also steeped in rich history, being in 1066 country. You don't even have to go far to find history and one of the prettiest examples of a medieval town in the UK. The stunning cobbled streets of ancient Rye is only 3 miles from the cottage.Many of our guests walk or cycle into Rye and enjoy exploring this quaintest of towns.
So, if you are thinking of visiting the area next year, don't delay too long in booking, once Christmas is over your preferred dates may have already gone. We are happy to take bookings for over a year in advance too.
​To find out more, visit our website Marsh View Cottage
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]]><![CDATA[Autumn breaks]]>Thu, 20 Aug 2015 09:56:15 GMThttps://www.marshviewcottage.co.uk/blog/autumn-breaks
It may feel like we haven't finished with summer yet, but in just over a weeks time we will be welcoming in September and the start of the autumn months of September,October,November.

Autumn is without a doubt my favourite time of year and we always book ourselves in for a short [working] break in our cottage. It seems we aren't alone in enjoying an off peak break, as September and October are always fully booked with guests enjoying a relaxing break, from anything from a weekend to a full week by the sea.November though has a unique charm all of its own, and that is why we love to stay there ourselves then.

We love having long leisurely walks on the almost deserted beach [apart from the occasional dog walker and horse rider]. We have always enjoyed great weather too, and the photos of the beach shown here were all taken during some of our November stays.The autumn sun setting over the sea can be breathtaking.All this is just a few minutes walk from our cottage. 

The early morning autumn mist across the marshes can be seen from the comfort of our cottage which backs directly onto the SSSI marshes.The changing colours of the surrounding countryside are simply beautiful.
The quaint, chocolate box pretty town of ancient Rye, just 3 miles away is eerily quiet without its day visitors of the peak summer months.The cobbled streets are a joy to walk around whatever the season, but in autumn and winter they take on a whole new atmosphere of days gone by.

Many attractions remain open throughout the year.Some may have shorter opening times, so we do advise checking with the individual attractions website first.

In late October/early November, one of the annual week long food festivals takes place in Rye, Camber Sands and the local area.Wild Boar week is a culinary delight of medieval food in the medieval town of Rye.It includes other delicacies including pheasant, venison and rabbit. If you want to know more, you can visit the Wild Boar website for updates.

Why not do a spot of early Christmas shopping in Rye? The many independent shops and antiques shops are a pleasure to explore.Rye High Street and other shopping areas are certainly not typical of other UK High Streets, with less than a handful of chain shops - but we all need a chemist sometimes!


If you're feeling brave,why not book yourself a place on the Rye Heritage Centre guided ghost walk? Being such an ancient town there are many tales of things that go bump in the night, and autumn and winter are certainly the best times to find out more

In November we have the spectacular Rye fireworks, which begins with a costumed torch held parade through the town, followed by an impressive fireworks display and huge bonfire. This ancient tradition is definitely worth witnessing and accommodation books up early on for this event.

Wrap up warm and go on some lovely walks around the area. Apart from the beach,Romney Marsh, Hastings Country Park, or walk into Rye itself. If you are still cold after all that walking, why not stop off in Rye for a delicious hot chocolate in Knoops, Hilders Cliff.A shop that sells real hot chocolate. All you have to do is choose your chocolate strength by percentage, choose plain, milk or white and if you feel adventurous, add an extra flavour to it from the wide choice available. You could also visit one of the cosy tea rooms or ancient inns and warm yourself by a real fire if its very cold and enjoy a local ale or local wine while you browse the menu. Autumn by the sea. What's not to like? Find out more by visiting our website Marsh View Cottage
]]><![CDATA[Top 10 reasons to holiday in Camber Sands]]>Sun, 01 Mar 2015 10:54:02 GMThttps://www.marshviewcottage.co.uk/blog/top-10-reasons-to-holiday-in-camber-sands
Camber Sands is extremely popular for both weekend breaks and longer stays, and with just a taster of things to do mentioned here, you will be assured of a great time, good choice of high quality accommodation and fantastic choice of restaurants and independent shops as well as the best of both worlds – a wonderful mix of both seaside and countryside. It just doesn’t get better than that.


1] The stunning beach of Camber Sands has to be top of the list. This beautiful sandy beach stretches for miles and is a haven not just for families, but also for a variety of water sports, kite surfers, horse riders, dog owners, photographers, artists, birdwatchers, walkers, beachcombers and so much more. At low tide the sea retreats for more than half a mile leaving behind it shallow pools of water that are much loved by families with small children. With the mild climate in the south east Camber Sands is popular in every season. There are also some spectacular sunrises and sunsets to be seen across the bay
2] The sand dunes are the most iconic feature of Camber Sands. They are the only sand dune formation in East Sussex and although a favourite with children playing in the dunes, they are also an important wildlife habitat for a variety of locally and internationally important animals and plants. Part of the dunes lie within a Site of Special Scientific Interest [SSSI] and the remainder are a Site of Nature Conservation Importance [SNCI] The dunes are bound together in places by the deep rooted marram grass and the size of the dunes increases every year. Their majestic size looms over Camber village and forms a natural flood protection to the village.
3] Accommodation in Camber Sands has something for every budget, for the lower end of the budget there is Pontins, and further east there is a caravan park with static caravans and chalets for rent. For those with a higher budget there is a selection of really high quality accommodation, including The Gallivant hotel or a fantastic selection of self catering properties including the lovely 2 bedroomed  Marsh View Cottage which is nestled between the beach and Romney Marsh just a short stroll from the beach.
4] Location. The south east of England enjoys a milder, drier climate than much of the rest of the UK which makes it a popular destination for this alone. However, Camber Sands is close to the Port of Dover and also just 30 minutes drive from Ashford International Station, making it great place to visit for European visitors. Camber Sands is just 90 minutes drive from London making it a well known day trip destination but also a great weekend retreat too. Weekend breaks are highly sought after throughout the year by Londoners and are fondly known locally as ‘DFL’s’ – down from London!
5] It is not just Camber Sands that attracts visitors to the area. The chocolate box pretty, Medieval town of Rye is just 3 miles from Camber and is a wonderful place to visit. Rye used to be surrounded by water on three sides, but the sea began to retreat and Rye is now some 2 miles from the sea. The harbour still remains and is accessed via the river entrance at Camber Sands where Rye’s fishing fleet still bring their fresh fish into the harbour. A trip to Rye would not be complete without a walk around its cobbled streets and take in the ancient buildings. The most iconic street in Rye is perhaps Mermaid Street with Mermaid Inn standing proudly at the top of it, just as it has for centuries. The origins are many hundreds of years old, but in the 14th century much of Rye was lost when the town was set on fire by French invaders. Gradually the town was rebuilt and The Mermaid Inn as it stands now was rebuilt in 1420 with its older origins still evident in the cellar of the inn.

Rye has many good restaurants, quaint tea rooms and cosy inns and the visitor is spoilt for choice of where to eat. Unusually, Rye’s High Street is not a smaller replica of most other High Streets, full of identical shops, it prides itself on a large number of independent retailers with a large variety of different goods on sale. The side streets and cobbled streets are also home to independent traders which make shopping in Rye a unique experience. You can read more about Rye on our blog A brief guide to Rye
6] As mentioned briefly above, the choice of places to eat in and around Camber Sands makes it a real culinary delight. In Camber itself there is the local pub/restaurant The Green Owl which serves good food at affordable prices. Further up the road is The Gallivant, a little pricier but well worth a visit. These are just two of a  number of  places to eat in Camber. In Rye itself the choice is amazing, from Careys on The Strand which is a seafood and steak restaurant serving succulent fresh fish straight from the Rye fishing fleet, to the full range of cuisines including Indian, Italian, Chinese. The selection of high quality restaurants in a small town is exceptionally good, and not forgetting the various inns that serve great food too. So whether you want a full evening meal, a cream tea, morning  coffee  or a light lunch, the only problem you will encounter is deciding exactly where to eat.The local produce is, of course. on most menus and the fresh fish, local wild boer and succulent, sweet flavoured Romney Marsh lamb all come highly recommended, perhaps washed down with a local wine or ale.
7] A stay in Camber Sands has something for everyone. If you are interested in an action holiday you have the local water sports centre where wind surfing and other water sports can be carried out. Kite surfing on the beach is a very popular activity and lessons and courses are available to the east of Camber at Cambers kite surfing school. There are also local golf courses, boat charters, cycle paths and some great walks to fill your days during your stay. Close by is Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, a great place for walking or birdwatching, with the RSPB Dungeness reserve just 6 miles away too
8]If you are not looking for such an action packed break, but still like the outdoors, Camber Sands is a bird watchers paradise. Adjacent to the beach is Rye Harbour Nature Reserve which is also popular with walkers. The whole area is a photographers and artists delight too. Apart from the natural beauty of the area, there are some stunning sunrises and sunsets to admire and capture on camera or canvas. Dungeness and its Nature reserve is just a few miles east of Camber Sands too. Much of the area, including the marshes  are protected and are habitats to rare species including the Great Crested Newt and water voles to name just two of the species which inhabit the marshes.
9] If history is your thing, then there is no finer place to stay than this most historic part of our country. With the ancient town of Rye on the doorstep you will be filled with  tales of smuggling and other fascinating historical facts about Rye. Being in 1066 country itself there is no shortage of historical places to visit, including Hastings Castle and nearby Battle Abbey in Battle, just a few miles from Camber Sands. It was on the fields adjacent to the abbey where the famous Battle of Hastings took place, not in Hastings itself. There are numerous other castles in the surrounding area to visit as well as quaint old world villages. The stunning Bodiam Castle is less than half an hour away and is one of the finest examples of a medieval moated castle. Within an hours drive there is Canterbury, Hever Castle, Dover Castle and Leeds Castle, to name just a very few historic attractions.Being located in historic 1066 country, there is a rich heritage to discover.
10] With so very many places to visit from Camber Sands it would be hard to list them all here, but Hastings is a popular seaside town a few miles west of Camber. A walk around the old town is a must, as is a visit to Hastings Castle and the old smugglers caves and tales of smuggling at The Smugglers Adventures A visit to Dungeness offers a unique experience. The landscape, the beach scattered with abandoned boats and huts, and the community that has grown here as well as its two lighthouses is an amazing and unusual experience in itself. Combine the visit with a trip on the small gauge railway of the Romney, Hythe and Dymchuch Railway and a trip to the Dungeness Nature Reserve for a really interesting day out, and only around eight miles from Camber Sands. In nearby Tenterden can you take a trip on a steam train. Many people combine it with a trip to Bodiam Castle and back.Further afield but well worth a day trip, you can visit Canterbury, Eastbourne and Beachy Head, Whitstable, and numerous castles in this most historic part of the UK. Camber Sands is located just a few miles from the borders with Kent – The Garden of England, which makes it an ideal base for exploring both counties and even further afield. These are just a handful of examples of the numerous places to be visited, but there are so many more. 

​To find out more about our Camber Sands holiday cottage, please visit our website Marsh View Cottage
]]><![CDATA[A brief guide to the ancient town of Rye]]>Sun, 01 Mar 2015 09:46:42 GMThttps://www.marshviewcottage.co.uk/blog/a-brief-guide-to-the-ancient-town-of-ryeThe chocolate box pretty town of Rye is just 3 miles away from Marsh View Cottage Camber Sands.
It is a tourist destination in its own right, attracting visitors from all over the globe. With it's ancient buildings, cobbled streets and great wealth of independent shops,old inns and quirky tea rooms, this delightful little town never fails to impress.Here is a very brief guide of Rye - there is much more to see and learn.
1. Rich history

The pretty and ancient hill top town of Rye in East Sussex is in the very heart of  1066 country  and with its rich and varied history has many fascinating tales to tell.

As you walk through its maze of enchanting cobbled streets you could be forgiven for thinking you had stepped back in time. Rye has always been vulnerable to invaders and has had more than its fair share of unwanted visitors in the past, but today this very friendly and welcoming small town [population approx 5000] plays host to visitors from all over the globe who come to explore Ryes  colourful history, see its stunning ancient buildings, unique independent shops, amazing choice of great places to eat and excellent selection of superb accommodation.

Rye is one of the five Cinque Ports which were set up to increase defence of the coastal towns in the south east, where men and ships were ready at all times to defend the south coast. The exact date the Cinque Ports came into being is uncertain, but they were in existence certainly by the 12th century.  However, despite the increased defence, Rye was still subject to invasions and during the 14th century much of the town was destroyed by French invaders, but in the years that followed, the town was gradually rebuilt and new defences were added.

Smuggling has been rife in Rye from as early as the 13th century, but as it increased in popularity, the 17th and 18th centuries saw smuggling reach its peak and Rye arguably became the smuggling capital of England during this period. The smugglers used a network of cellars to hide their goods and used secret passages and tunnels to move around unseen through the town.

Ypres Tower is thought to have been built around the 14th century as part of the towns defences and is the second oldest building open to the public. The oldest public building is St Marys Church which originates from around the 12th century. The church stands proudly on the highest point of the town and its tower can be seen for miles as you make your journey towards Rye.  The church was badly damaged in the French invasion of 1377 when its bells were also stolen and taken to France. The following year the men of Rye and nearby Winchelsea sailed to Normandy and recovered the bells. One of these bells was then placed in the aptly named Watchbell Street where potential invaders could be spotted and the bell rung as a warning to alert the people of Rye. The bell was returned to the church in the 16th century. One of the most popular things to do by visitors is to climb up to the church tower and literally get a birds eye view of the whole town, and further afield across the marshes, Camber Castle and out to sea. It is little wonder that Rye attracts so many artists and photographers.

Over the centuries, the harbour began to silt up and the sea retreated some two miles, though Rye still retains an important fishing fleet
2. Accommodation

Rye boasts some excellent places to stay. With thousands of visitors each year the accommodation in Rye and the surrounding area caters for all styles, tastes and budgets. So whether you choose to stay in the heart of Rye itself or in the surrounding areas such as Camber Sands, where you have the only sand dunes in East Sussex and a vast sandy beach, you will be assured of a good choice of high quality accommodation. Whether your preference is for a hotel, bed and breakfast or self catering, there is a wide and varied selection and the links provided here are just some examples of good places to stay while visiting Rye. One of Ryes best known buildings is the Mermaid Inn in historic, cobbled Mermaid Street. Rebuilt in 1420 after being destroyed by the French invasion, it offers accommodation as well as somewhere to eat, whether you want a full silver service meal or a lighter bar snack. The Mermaid Inn has a ‘wall of fame’ in its entrance way as it is a popular choice with many household names from TV and cinema.  Also in Mermaid Street are the 5* bed and breakfast providers Jeakes House .Staying amongst the ancient cobbled streets you will find The Hope Anchor in Watchbell Street, which offers good quality standard rooms as well as spacious suites, some with far reaching views to the sea.

In the small High Street with its numerous independent shops and restaurants  you will find  The George, a hotel in the heart of Rye, the building of which dates from the 16th century. On the outskirts of Rye you will find Saltcote Place , a beautiful house completed in 1905 and just a few minutes walk from the centre of Rye itself. There are a number of very good self catering properties in the heart of the old town too and for self catering properties just outside of Rye, Camber Sands, just 3 miles away offers guests the best of both worlds,a stunning sandy beach, the only sand dunes in East Sussex and some superb self catering properties including the lovley 2 bedroomed  Marsh View Cottage just a few minutes stroll to the dunes and beach. With rear views across the marshes, this cottage is very popular.
3. Places to eat

With fresh fish straight from the Rye fishing fleet, and the unique sweet flavour of the local Romney Marsh lamb, Rye offers the visitor a wonderful choice of restaurants, inns and tea rooms. For a small town, the choice of good places to eat is amazing and there is something for even the most discerning palate. You won’t find any chain restaurants in Rye, they are all independent and along with Ryes independent shops make a visit here so pleasurable and unique.

In a historic building right outside St Marys Church, you will find the delightful and popular Fletchers House which offers wonderful home cooked food and is a perfect choice for morning coffee, lunch or afternoon tea. Once the home of playwright John Fletcher, Fletchers House is an ancient building with cosy log fires to warm you on cold days and a garden terrace on warmer days. Walk down to the High Street and beyond and the good choice of some great restaurants just goes on. The Ambrette is an excellent restaurants in the High Street. In The Strand area away you will find Careys seafood and steak restaurant ,The Old Grain House, The Ship Inn and Simply Italian - all come highly recommended by us.Elsewhere, we have the popular Webbes at The Fish Cafe which also offers some amazing cookery courses. As if these restaurants weren’t enough, there are many more covering all culinary styles from Italian, Chinese, Thai, Indian and more. A good selection of tea rooms are also available to tempt you to try their delicious sandwiches, home made cakes and light lunches and these include the quaint Cobbles Tea Room located at the back of The Mermaid Inn, and in the High Street is the quirky Edith's House  tea room and Haydens to name just a few.

A walk around the town will have the visitor come across many more quality places to eat and it would be good to name them all personally, but with such a vast choice of fabulous places to dine in Rye it would make a very long read! The lesson is – come hungry and enjoy some of the finest fresh local produce on offer throughout Rye!
4. Great shopping

Shopping in Rye is an absolute delight! Unlike almost every other town in the UK, Rye has less than a handful of chain shops with the remainder being independent traders offering a vast array of unusual and unique goods to tempt the visitor. The shops offer everything from kitchen ware, children’s clothing, hats, jewellery, clothes, home ware, unusual gifts, art and so much more! An unusual and interesting selection of contemporary and traditional items can be found in Forget Me Not opposite Saint Marys Church. Here you will find quilts, cushions, candles, holders, toiletries, cards and seasonal goods to name but a few high quality items on sale here. If you are a keen Teddy Bear collector look no further than Bears Galore the oldest stockist of Steiff bears in the UK except for Harrods. More than 30 leading manufacturers and bear artists products can be found here. For a good and unusual selection of craft items with some refreshingly different products, Craft Magic in Conduit Hill off of the High Street is a must. In Lion Street pay a visit to the interesting Lion Street Store  for an unusual mix of home wares, toys, art, textiles and jewellery.

There are so many more unique independent shops in Rye that draw visitors here and shopping is a real pleasure – especially if you are looking for that unusual gift for someone.

Of course, Rye is also well known for its antique shops and here you will discover no less than thirty different antique retailers offering everything from trinkets to furniture. Glass Etc. Is one such antique shop and is run by the Antiques Roadshow  glass expert Andy McConnell and his wife.


5. Attractions

In the local area there is plenty to see and do depending on your interests. If you are a keen walker or cyclist you will not be disappointed as there are many walks and cycle paths in the area and information and maps regarding these can be found in Rye Heritage Centre. If you are a birdwatcher Rye has the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve  with a further nature reserve at nearby Dungeness. For an activity holiday the Full Throttle Boat Charters offers a choice of boat trips and they can be found in Rye Harbour. Still on the activity theme how about some kite surfing lessons on the beach? The Kitesurf Centre in nearby Camber Sands offers a choice of lessons and courses on this sport. Windsurfing and sailing lessons are also available at nearby Rye Water Sports

For the less adventurous there is still so much to do including Rye Museum, the Rye Heritage Centre where you can pick up a personal handset for an audio tour of Rye, or even go on a ghost tour! There is also a Tourist Information Centre in Lion Street, off of the High Street leading up to the church. Both places have friendly, knowledgeable  and helpful staff and you can pick up a useful map of Rye to assist you during you visit. The steam train rides on the Kent and East Sussex Railway, castles, Dungeness and the small gauge   Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway. The popular seaside destination of Hastings  is just a few miles to the west and has plenty of things to occupy people of all ages and a trip to Hastings Country Park for some stunning views is a real treat. Of course, being in 1066 country no visit would be complete without a trip to the actual site of the Battle of Hastings of 1066 which took place in the small town of Battle . Slightly further afield but well worth a day trip if you are staying in Rye are many other places worthy of a visit including historic Canterbury  and Dover Castle

Rye is also on the border with the county of Kent, The Garden of England, which makes it such a perfect base for visiting and exploring both counties.

For further suggestions on places to eat, accommodation, culture, things to do and shopping in Rye, please do take a look at the very useful and informative website at  Visit Rye Bay

Whether you intend visiting just for the day or for a longer stay, Rye will leave you wanting to return again and again – and many people do. Rye is just a 90 minute trip from London which also makes it a very popular weekend destination at all times of year. Rye is arguably the jewel in the crown of East Sussex and once visited is never forgotten

Rye and Camber Sands make the perfect neighbours and provide the best of both worlds.Our holiday cottage. Marsh View Cottage is in Camber Sands. Please read more about this seaside village, with one of the UK's fines beaches on our blog Top 10 reasons to holiday in Camber Sands

To find out more about our holiday cottage in Camber Sands, please visit our website Marsh View Cottage
]]><![CDATA[Camber Sands - it's not JUST for summer!]]>Sun, 01 Mar 2015 09:18:45 GMThttps://www.marshviewcottage.co.uk/blog/camber-sands-its-not-just-for-summerOur holiday cottage is a few moments stroll from the only sand dunes in East Sussex and one of the UK’s finest beaches – Camber Sands.

Whilst the vast sandy beach is obviously very popular in the summer months, it’s not just in the summer that our holiday cottage is popular. We are always fully booked from March-October inclusive, but November-February are also very popular – and our own personal favourite time of year to stay. In the late autumn and throughout the entire winter, our weekends are booked out 100%, along with a large number of short mid-week breaks.
What could be better than walking on a vast, empty sandy beach? Even when the wind is howling and the sea grey and choppy, there is a certain calming effect of walking on a winters beach with the wind blowing through your hair. Of course, its not necessarily grey and windy in late autumn and winter. Some people may find it hard to believe, but some of our very best photographs of the dunes and beach have been taken in the winter months with a cloudless blue sky and the sun making the sea glisten just like any summers day.
There are some spectacular sunrises and sunsets over the sea, and again, some of our best photos of these have been autumn and winter ones.
After a relaxing walk on the beach, what could be better than going to a local old inn or restaurant for a warming mulled wine or local ale and an excellent meal? The cosy lure of a warming log fire in a centuries old inn is hard to beat. No crowds, no trying to find somewhere to sit, just a few locals and other tourists who also share the secret of the attraction of an autumn or winter break by the sea.

Many local attractions remain open all year too – some may have reduced opening hours, but there are still places to visit nevertheless. We do advise you check on the website of the attractions to check first though.
In Rye and camber Sands, two annual food festivals are held off peak. Wild Boer Week in November and Rye Bay Scallop Week every February. These popular festivals are a foodies heaven and draws in the crowds to taste the local delicacies year after year. The annual Rye Bonfire evening is another crowd puller and you are hard pressed to find any accommodation in the area for this highly popular parade through the streets of Rye followed by an amazing firework display and enormous bonfire. The entire month of December has its own charm. The restaurants are decorated festively and very cosy and welcoming, the unique, independent shops of Rye make a wonderful effort of their window displays and there is a lovely choice of some truly original items or antiques to buy as Christmas gifts.
So the next time you dismiss an off peak break by the sea. Have a little re-think and imagine yourself on the vast empty beaches or sitting round a roaring log fire. If you choose self catering then the prices are cheaper then too and many self catering owners offer short breaks and weekend breaks. It really does take a lot of beating. I wouldn’t miss it for anything

​To find out more about our Camber Sands holiday cottage, please visit our website Marsh View Cottage
]]><![CDATA[Dog friendly]]>Sat, 28 Feb 2015 15:02:05 GMThttps://www.marshviewcottage.co.uk/blog/dog-friendlyWe love dogs and they are very welcome to stay in our dog friendly holiday cottage in Camber Sands by prior arrangement. 

We understand that people like to bring their 4 legged friends with them on holiday. We accept up to two small/medium dogs in our holiday home.This is purely because our cottage isn't huge and we don't want either our human guests or our 4 legged guests to feel overcrowded.
We love dogs and they are very welcome to stay in our dog friendly holiday cottage in Camber Sands, free of charge and by prior arrangement. 

We understand that people like to bring their 4 legged friends with them on holiday. We accept up to two small/medium dogs in our holiday home.This is purely because our cottage isn't huge and we don't want either our human guests or our 4 legged guests to feel overcrowded.
The beach is a short walk away and dog friendly all year round [there is a partial dog free area May-September inclusive, but the vast beach still has enough room for everyone to run and splash in the sea] Reached by sand dunes, dogs cant get onto the beach fast enough!
In walking distance, Cambers local pub/restaurant The Owl pub is dog friendly. There are several places in Rye, including characterful old inns and quirky tea rooms serving great food and drink, where dogs are allowed too - and just 3 miles from the cottage.We have listed some dog friendly places to eat and drink within a 6 mile radius and this list is in the cottage for our guests to use.
Over 50% of our guests are dog owners and we have many repeat guests among them who cant wait to return and enjoy the beach and local hostelries, as well as everything else the lovely area has to offer. For full information on bringing your dog to stay in our dog friendly holiday cottage in Camber Sands please do take a moment to read the important information provided on our 'dogs welcome' page

​To find out more about our dog friendly holiday cottage in Camber Sands, please visit our website Marsh View Cottage
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