Dog friendly stays...

The Playhouse – Rye

Every so often we like to take a trip a little further afield to explore new dog-friendly destinations, most recently we headed to the pretty town of Rye in East Sussex with Partridge in tow; we stayed at The Playhouse – a gorgeous lofty, open-plan space, flooded with light with exposed brickwork, timber beams, and a mezzanine level with lots of unique character.

Rye, East Sy=ussex

07946 532130

Partridge's paw rating

5/5 Paws

Stays

The Playhouse – Rye

Introduction

The Playhouse – Rye

It’s a superb use of the space, originally an outbuilding behind the gallery, which was once a butcher’s shop; now a brilliantly located hub and a complete dog-welcoming home-from-home, just off Rye High Street, perfect for exploring the town with its cobbled streets and red-brickwork buildings, with masses of history, some renowned eateries and great independents.

We loved wandering around the oldest part of Rye with Partridge at our heels, exploring its cobbles and winding streets, in particular, Mermaid Street is a must – one of the most Instagrammable streets – winding down a steep hill, lined with boutiques, galleries and antiques. Nearly all of the shops and cafes welcome dogs which makes it a real draw to visit with your four-legged friend.

We headed up towards St Mary’s Church with its beautiful churchyard, and took turns to climb the bell tower which offers spectacular views across the town but also to the sea. There are also some spectacular views from the ramparts of Rye Castle.

The Playhouse is a really great base for dog owners, close to great dog-friendly beaches, as well as Rye Harbour Nature Reserve with a host of
restaurants and pubs that welcome dogs too.

For a fun, stylish and central escape with your dog, we can’t recommend The Playhouse enough – it offered us a super comfy base to explore the area with Partridge, and Rye was an instant hit – with its curio of dog-friendly antiques and independents, cool dog-welcoming café hangouts, history and proximity to the sea, it offers the perfect weekend escape for four-legged friends too.

Where to walk

There are some lovely walks from the doorstep of The Playhouse, including Rye Harbour and Nature Reserve and just a short drive takes you to the expansive beach at Camber Sands where your dog can run free and play.

It’s a superb location from which to explore the surrounding countryside of East Sussex and Kent, including local vineyards – such as Tillingham Winery for tours and tastings – a natural and biodynamic wine producer and holistically-managed farmstead, rooted in the east Sussex countryside.

Dine with your dog

For somewhere that’s relaxed and refined with top-notch dishes, we rate The Union – a gorgeous low- lit restaurant and bar set in a 15 th century building in the heart of the town, serving delicious small plates. This delightfully cosy and contemporary eatery is laidback and comfortable, featuring lots of wood and an open fire, showcasing a seasonal menu with a host of ingredients that are local to Rye and the East Sussex region.

Dogs are welcome throughout, and the small, curated menu is guided by the seasons, changing daily, depending on what ingredients are in their prime, and what is available on the day – using British produce and working with local Sussex and Kent farmers and suppliers.

If you’re a lover of great coffee, served alongside a flaky pastry the White House Bakery is worth a visit. Just a few minutes stroll from The Playhouse, this is a wonderful spot for delicious cakes and pastries, specialty coffee or a wholesome brunch. It’s also super dog-friendly, so a complete win, win!

We also love The Globe Inn with its iconic frontage – a super dog-friendly pub is not to be missed. Your pup is welcome to accompany you in both the cosy bar area or on the outdoor terrace where you can enjoy a core menu that is carefully crafted to showcase the best of the local and seasonal produce from the region, alongside a carefully curated wine menu and a selection of classic and innovative cocktails. A hearty Sunday roast here is a must!

We also rate The Fig, an independently-owned, lively dog-friendly café – it’s the perfect spot for a healthy lunch or brunch, with a focus on fresh, vibrant and healthy food and cocktails. It’s worth noting that dogs are not welcome to dine with you for evening meals.

Doggie room rate

If, as we did, you’d like to stay at The Playhouse with your dog, it’s a brilliant spot to enjoy with your pals, with two dogs welcome for a charge of £30 per dog per stay.

What Partridge says

I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at The Playhouse, it’s a pawsome spot with plenty of room to sprawl out and make the most of the space, with a little enclosed courtyard take in some fresh air and new sniffs!

Rye is a an incredibly dog-friendly town to have on your radar with many dog-welcoming shops and cafes, and a host of great walking spots nearby. My tail was on auto-wag for the entire trip, particularly when dining out with my humans, curled up by the fire at The Union! It was a long old trek but most definitely a dog-friendly destination to bark about!