Jeake’s House

Rye is gorgeous, one of those lovely English towns that’s been around for centuries, but has never lost its looks. The same is true of Jeake’s House, which sits in the old town on a pretty cobbled street away from the crowds. In its 300-year history it’s been a wool store, a school and the home of American poet Conrad Potter Aiken. Inside, style abounds. The galleried dining room – once an old Baptist chapel – is now painted deep red and full of busts, books, clocks and mirrors, a fine setting for your bacon and eggs. There’s a raffish bar, where a fire burns in winter, then a pretty sitting room with a Broadwood square piano. Potter about and find timber frames, ancient beams and some strikingly furnished bedrooms; several have four-posters, one has a telly concealed in the wood-burner, all are deeply comfortable and excellent value for money. As for Rye, art galleries, antiques shops, old churches and river walks wait; don’t miss the Summer Exhibition in early September. All this would be blossom in the wind without Jenny, whose natural joie de vivre makes this a very special place.