A peaceful village ensconced in rolling countryside yet moments from the coast, Peasmarsh offers a soulful sojourn filled with entrancing walks and historic forays through the yesteryears of East Sussex. With a myriad of memorable things to do in Peasmarsh, from tranquil vineyard visits and Michelin dining to beautiful days by the sea, a stay here promises unique experiences to cherish.
Read on to uncover epicurean eats and Arcadian adventures on the doorstep of this quaint Sussex village.
History
Nestled within the Rother district in East Sussex, a stone’s throw from the historic coastal town of Rye, Peasmarsh beckons with a heavenly mix of country and coast. The pocket village is cocooned in a tempting tableau of rural scenes, crafting an idyllic escape that welcomes you to fill your days with as much or as little as you like, whether your interests lie in wine tasting, exploring historic landmarks, or birdwatching somewhere wild. Peasmarsh is perhaps most well known as the home of Sir Paul McCartney, chosen for its calm and quiet landscapes away from the limelight.
Places to eat
Tillingham
Set within a sprawling 70-acre vineyard, Tillingham’s rustic offering promises an enchanting place to while away the hours over a plate of locally-sourced food and a glass of something special from the vines outside. The spacious bar sits downstairs, where you can taste a variety of the estate’s own low-intervention wines while gazing out across the sun-soaked fields that surround you. In the evening, make your way upstairs for an à la carte supper with ingredients from Tillingham’s own walled garden alongside fare from surrounding farms and the salt-kissed south coast. Making the most of the local offering, the menu changes regularly, inviting you to try something different with each visit, from salt-baked beetroot with a green olive tapenade to Pevensey lamb rump with creamed potatoes and smoked cherry tomatoes. And for something a little more relaxed, linger in the nearby barn on select nights for wood-fired pizzas that pair perfectly with a crisp Sussex white.
Flackley Ash Hotel and Restaurant
With its wisteria-clad exterior and red-bricked Georgian facade, Flackley Ash Hotel paints a magical picture, beckoning you in for a delightful dining experience. Pause for breakfast overlooking the verdant gardens, indulge in a traditional Sunday lunch before exploring the High Weald National Landscape, or sink into a food-fuelled reverie with the tempting à la carte menu for supper, which boasts farm-fresh ingredients that celebrate the county’s rich natural larder. Savour starters of chicken liver parfait with Cognac shallots or pan-seared Rye Bay king scallops, before a main of 28-day-aged ribeye or lightly curried butternut squash. Finishing with a decadent sticky toffee pudding topped with clotted cream.
The Union Rye
Within the ancient streets of Rye, you’ll find a warm welcome at The Union. The restaurant’s former life as a pub can still be seen through the historic fireplaces and beams that frame the charming corners, while the Michelin-recommended menu plays with contemporary cuisines from around the world. Sit down to the feasting experience menu, and you’re just as likely to find a smoked beetroot salad with a walnut pesto as you are a char siu hake skewer with wild rice and spring onion, ensuring every delectable dish brings something new and enchanting to the table. A daily à la carte menu is also available and explores an equally wide-ranging variety of dishes, all brought to life with locally sourced ingredients, including wild sea bass with carlin peas and confit tomatoes and Rye Bay squid with courgette, radish, and sweetcorn.
The Mermaid Inn, Rye
If it’s history you seek, The Mermaid Inn in Rye is an utterly unique experience, 600 years in the making. Deep, wooden beams and antique decorations whisper of times gone by, whether you choose a seat in The Giant’s Fireplace Bar or the Linen Fold Panelled Restaurant, where cross-hatch windows and rustic chandeliers await. The menus mirror the setting while gently infusing a modern twist, with the likes of braised pork belly with roast onion, apple, and black pudding, and Romney Marsh lamb rack with smoked aubergine, Datterini tomato, and minted yoghurt bringing the roots of our culinary past into the present. With a cellar that dates back to the 12th century, it’s easy to sit and while away an afternoon in the bar, especially in the cooler months when the fire fills the room with its flickering warmth, conjuring visions of times when the hearth truly was the heart of the home.
The Fig, Rye
Serving bold flavours in an effortlessly chic setting, The Fig beckons for lingering lunches and intimate dinners over candlelight. The menu is a true celebration of seasonal fare, with fresh, local ingredients coming together to craft vibrant dishes that tempt you in with a medley of rich colours and flavours. Begin your day with prosciutto ham, goat's cheese, and figs on toast, or pause during your explorations of Rye for a lunch laden with chicken gnocchi or spiced aubergine. As the day draws to a close, sink into a heavenly reverie in the cosy space as you fill your table with a selection of small plates, from prawn tacos with a mango salsa to tuna ceviche with sesame and radish. Following in the footsteps of the restaurant, the wine menu is perfectly petite, offering a curated list of local and world wines to pair with your meal.
Places to visit
Great Dixter House and Gardens
For those seeking otherworldly pursuits that marry quintessential English beauty with the long-lasting joys of biodiversity, Great Dixter House and Gardens is the jewel in East Sussex’s rose-wrapped crown. Framing a picturesque 15th-century house, the gardens here are the life’s work of Christopher Lloyd, beloved gardener and gardening writer, who dedicated his time and attention to creating a paradisical place that promises life and colour in abundance. Although now cared for by Fergus Garret, the legacy of Christopher Lloyd continues, inviting you to step into a world bedecked in floral displays and artfully shaped topiaries for a day amidst the rapturous scents of blooming flowers. There are a number of tours around the estate and gardens, offering a peek behind the perennial curtain, while a charming café invites you to pause during your explorations for a moment of contemplation and a coffee. As you leave, stop by the nursery to bring a little piece of Dixter home with you, or the shop for a winsome selection of homeware, gardening tools, and gifts.
Bodiam Castle
Set within a shimmering moat that casts the scenes in a mirrored haze, Bodiam Castle is a captivating remnant of times gone by. Brought to life in the 14th century and carved in the many years and battles that followed, the grand exterior hides a ruined heart, with spiral staircases and battlements that whisper of battles past. The original wooden portcullis is particularly fascinating, as it’s one of the oldest examples of its kind, while the open-air interior offers a glimpse into what life was like within the time-worn walls. The castle holds many memorable events throughout the year, from tours and storytelling sessions to family-friendly activities like archery, inviting you to step into the past and add a new string to your bow. The surrounding landscape boasts a rich tapestry to unravel too, with a Nationally-acclaimed bat roost promising flitting displays at dusk.
Rye Harbour Nature Reserve
There are many winsome walks around Peasmarsh, from the Royal Military Canal that runs across Kent and East Sussex to the 1066 Country Walk, which promises over 30 miles of undulating Sussex scenery and history to unravel. For a touch of wilderness, however, Rye Harbour Nature Reserve proposes sprawling coastalscapes abundant with life. Over 4,000 species of flora and fauna call this mesmeric wetland home, making Rye Harbour a beloved destination for wildlife lovers and watchers alike. Trace the interwoven trails and bask in the natural beauty as you follow wending paths through dappled woodland and shingle ridges that shift underfoot, from 2-mile circulars offering a quick reset to longer 6-mile routes that carve deeper into the enchanting depths of the reserve. The Discovery Centre is brimming with exhibitions and displays detailing fascinating facts about the area and its residents, alongside a charming shop and café for peaceful pauses whilst exploring.
Lamb House
Nestled down the cobblestone streets of Rye sits a gorgeous National Trust house with a hidden secret. Behind the red-brick exterior, an oasis of colour awaits at one of the largest gardens in Rye. Herbaceous borders bring life to the garden throughout the year, while roses and lilies fill the air with playful aromatics. The garden was designed by a friend of author Henry James, who moved into the house in the late 19th century and quickly made it a refuge that inspired James to write several of his most acclaimed works. Inside, an intriguing exhibition of caricatures of Henry James by parodist Max Beerbohm, alongside other notable works, invites you to explore history through the eyes of an artist, or you can turn your attention to the famed writing room to see where James spent most of his storied time.
Things to do
Wander the streets of Rye
The sloping streets of this ancient cobbled citadel are awash with fascinating things to see and do, whether you long for unhurried moments within a historic pub or leisurely hours spent marvelling at local works of art in the many galleries that pepper the streets. For a slice of history, Rye Castle Museum on East Street offers a glimpse into the town’s mottled past, while a short stroll up the hill will reward you with Ypres Tower, a beautiful remnant from the 13th century. The town is adorned with spellbinding scenes of days gone by, inviting you to spend your time slowly roaming Rye, pausing at St Mary’s House, the Landgate, and Mermaid Street to capture the moment on film. Following in the footsteps of the market town’s tradition, Rye Market fills the stone streets with bustling traders every Thursday, showcasing an array of curios and local producers.
Get lost in the sounds at Peasmarsh Chamber Music Festival
Every year in June, Peasmarsh and Rye’s elegant Norman churches fill with soul-stirring chamber music during the treasured four-day festival. Melding international musicians with educational programmes to inspire the next generation of players, the festival is an acclaimed celebration of chamber music, inviting you to get lost in the fairytale fusion of symphonies and setting. Attend one or two performances, or fill your weekend with a medley of breathtaking concerts.
Enjoy a day trip to Battle
A whisper from Peasmarsh, the historic town of Battle beckons for a captivating day out amidst Sussex’s expansive history. Set on the site of the Battle of Hastings, Battle Abbey is a towering reminder of one of England’s most famous conflicts. Begin at the visitor centre, where interactive exhibitions bring the past to life, before stepping onto the 1066 battlefield for a walk across history, complete with an audio guide to delve deeper into the event that changed the course of history. For a sense of tranquillity and wonder, the abbey ruins offer a grandiose glimpse into the past, while the Duchess of Cleveland’s Victorian walled garden showcases an idyllic display of aromatic fruit trees and flourishing wildflowers. The town itself is home to a picturesque array of russet houses, with a high street lined with independent shops and cosy cafés.
Tour the vines at a local vineyard
Flourishing within the sunny, salt-kissed climes, the vineyards surrounding Peasmarsh grow and craft some of the best wines in the UK, from award-winning sparkling varieties to heady still wines that linger on the tongue and in the heart. Oxney Estate is just a short drive from Peasmarsh and boasts an ambrosial collection of organic wines, while nearby Gusbourne invites you to taste your way through their selection of award-winning wines. And for a dose of history alongside your visit, turn to Seddlescombe for a tour of England’s oldest organic vineyard. Explore the vineyards as your knowledge and appreciation of English viticulture deepen, before sitting down to a flight of local wines sure to sweep you away on a coastal breeze. Pair your visit with a platter for two or a cheese and charcuterie board and lose yourself in the moment as you sip something special and let your gaze wander across the undulating vines clinging to the hills.
Spend a day at the beach
Peasmarsh is a stone’s throw from one of the most unique beaches in East Sussex. A haven of golden sands and tufted dunes, Camber Sands beckons for days lounging on the sun-warmed shore. At low tide, the beach opens into a sweeping coastal expanse, offering almost 5 miles of space to enjoy, whether you seek a leisurely stroll along the shore or a serene dip in the cerulean waters. Camber Sands is particularly beloved by watersports enthusiasts, with kitesurfers and windsurfers often adding a flash of colour to the salt-dipped scenes.
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