Rye has just a few chain shops and a lot of independents. Trawling its eclectic vintage/antique shops can take a day in itself, and many places present their wares beautifully, making the shopping experience itself a joy, regardless of whether you buy.
Guide to Rye: Shops
Puckhaber
Specialists in French decorative antiques – think elegantly aged wrought-iron garden furniture, oak refectory tables and hessian-upholstered seating – Puckhaber’s Rye outpost (it started out in London’s Fulham, where the original shop remains) has morphed into more of a lifestyle store. This means that sitting artfully alongside the antiques, there are products that complement Puckhaber’s distinctive aesthetic, including cosy wool blankets from Forestry Wool, heavenly fragrances from cult Brooklyn brand DS & Durga and nail polish from Milan’s Licia Florio.
Rae
Rae is basically Kinfolk magazine come to life: no shiny plastic or bright colours here, only ethical brands, muted tones, handmade objects and things that soothe the senses. Practice self care with natural beauty products from small independent brands such as Legra, snuggle up in Yonder Living slippers or adorn yourself with folk-inspired jewellery from Studio Rua. Rae has everything you need to make your dreams of a slower and more meaningful life come that little bit closer to reality – and after all that slowing down, a take-away flat white or turmeric latte from its coffee hatch will rev you up again.
Rye Pottery
Rye Pottery’s charming folk-infused ceramics are having a renaissance in a world newly appreciative of the decorative arts. It is best known for its hand-painted animals and figures, full of lively detail, and its mid-century tableware, including the classic Cottage Stripe design.
The fact that the pottery isn’t sold widely makes a visit to its shop-cum-studio even more of a must (head upstairs to see some of the making in action). As well as its own pieces it sells a small but well-curated selection of homewares and prints.
Soap & Salvation
The name of this handsome lifestyle shop comes from its former life as a Salvation Army chapel – “soup, soap and salvation” was one of the mantras of its Victorian founder William Booth. The lack of a proper shop window to peek into means that you might pass it by thinking it sells touristy bath products, when in fact it is full of simple, rustic wares for the home, including antique Mennonite quilts, chunky glazed stoneware crockery, cushions and candles. There’s a dinky kitchenware section out the back and a vintage bookshop to browse upstairs, and it’s all very atmospheric thanks to the high-ceilinged chapel itself.
Rye Art Gallery
There’s nearly always something inspiring on at this highly regarded gallery, which combines a permanent collection of 19th- and 20th-century art, plus contemporary selling shows.
The permanent collection includes works by John Piper, Paul Nash and Edward Burra (Burra and Nash were both Rye residents), while the pieces for sale crossover many media, from prints to jewellery to sculpture. It’s the perfect place to pick up a classy, memorable souvenir.
Rye Deli
If you are the kind of person to have your head turned by a window full of huge truckles of cheese, then you won’t be able to pass by this delectable deli. A great stop-off for posh picnic food, its home-cooked treats include tartlets, quiches, pork pies, salads and sandwiches, plus cheese and more cheese, lots of it local.
Rye Candy
A sister business to the Rye Deli round the corner, Rye Candy is a sweet shop extraordinaire, with the focal point a life-size boat groaning with treats. Choose weighed-out sweets from the jar, pick up some novelty candy or have scoop of ice-cream. It also sells cute paper picnicware.
McCully & Crane
Gareth McCully and Marcus Crane’s interiors shop – and the interior design business that grew out of it – have a superbly eclectic aesthetic. Taxidermy, religious artefacts, industrial lighting and furniture, posters, signage and original artwork make up the mix in their small shop.
It packs a visual punch yet it’s perfectly balanced; nothing is too polished or precious, so there’s an informality to the overall look, even though it’s dramatically presented. A sister gallery right next door is dedicated to modern and contemporary art.
Merchant & Mills
“We love sewing and believe in it” say Carolyn Denham and Roderick Field, the duo behind this beautifully styled haberdashery shop. Even if you’ve never sat in front of a sewing machine, this place is still inspiring, with bolts of fabric (traditional wool, tweed, linen, muslin and denim) sitting next to perfectly packaged ‘sewing notions’ such as buttons, scissors and pins. A rack of clothes shows what you can do with Merchant & Mills’ own-brand patterns; the emphasis is on strong simple shapes and ease of making.
Grammar School Records
Tucked inside one the High Street’s most atmospheric red-brick buildings (as the name gives away, it used to be a school, built in the 17th century) is one of the UK’s best second-hand music shops. Chock full of vinyl (20,000 individual discs), CDs and DVDs, its massive selection is divided by genre to help give you a steer in the right direction, and the staff are nice and friendly. Take a punt on one of the £1 7-inch vinyl bundles, mysteriously wrapped in brown paper, then bring your lost treasures back to Bee Cottage to play on the record player!