Smugglers’ haunt in Rye

As the article on the opposite page mentions, the infamous Hawkhurst Gang of local smugglers once drank at The Mermaid Inn, with loaded pistols to hand. John Wesley preached at Rye in 1773, but lamented, “I found people willing to hear the good word at Rye, but they will not part with their accursed smuggling”. Today’s patrons and visitors to Rye, which recently came seventh in a list of the UK’s ten most idyllic towns, are much more welcome at this beautiful and fascinating hotel.

This venerable building celebrated its 600th anniversary in 2020, having been burnt down during a raid by the French in 1377 and rebuilt in 1420. The site was, however, established as early as 1156 during the reign of Henry II and its barrel-vaulted cellar, which survived the fire, is still used to store wine today.

The Mermaid Inn has been continuously owned by two families since 1993 when Judith Blincow and Robert Pinwill, who were then employed at the premises, led a small, local consortium to run it as a family business.

The present landlady is Judith Blincow and husband Martin was a gracious and informative host when members of the Pirate Family Young were given a guided tour of the premises from the Norman cellars to the bedrooms, most of which seem to be haunted by their own resident ghost! In Dr Syn’s Bedchamber, we were shown a bookcase, which swings open to reveal a secret passageway leading to an oubliette.

The unique interior of the hotel features a restaurant lined with linen fold panels serving locally-sourced seasonal produce, while the Giant’s Fireplace Bar offers local ales and a selection of 52 gins and more than 90 whiskies. There are two lounges, the smallest one overlooking the ancient cobbles of Mermaid Street, which previously led down to the harbour.

Finally, adding to the sense of drama, it is known that in 1597, the Landlord, John Fowtrell, watched Shakespeare’s troupe of players in performance for his inauguration as Mayor of Rye. A quotation from Love’s Labour’s Lost on a frieze in Dr Syn’s Lounge giving the same date was retouched by an unknown painter from the Slade School of Art in the 1940s.

Pirate Plunder remains very grateful for the invaluable details it received and, of course, the drinks on the house! More information from www.mermaidinn.com

I found people willing to hear the good word at Rye, but they will not part with their accursed smuggling