The Mermaid Inn, East Sussex

• Historic stay: Mermaid Street in Rye exhibits some of the best antiquity to be found in the UK, and this extends all the way to The Mermaid Inn, originally built around 1156. Ships' timbers were used in the reconstruction in 1420, and fireplaces were risen from French stone scavenged from the harbour. Not much has changed since, making this a truly unique destination in the East Sussex countryside.

• Award-winning dining: Boasting two AA Rosettes, the restaurant offers British and European cuisine. Medieval artwork by the Slade School of Art adorns the walls, which are covered in linen-fold wooden panelling. The infamous Hawkhurst Gang of Smugglers once frequented this historic spot, smoking their pipes with their pistols leisurely laid on the table.

• Characterful rooms: The unique and historic interiors extend all the way to the guest bedrooms, where low beamed ceilings, latticed lead windows and antique beds await – the Four Poster room is an experience truly reminiscent of the hotel's roots. Previous visitors include Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother and Prince Edward.

Entry requirements

The passport, visa and health requirements at the time of booking can be viewed on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website for UK citizens, and on the Department of Foreign Affairs website for IE citizens. It is your responsibility to ensure that you and all members of your party are in possession of all necessary travel and health documents, and in compliance with any other immigration/entry requirements before you travel, including whether your passport must be machine readable or which visas/waivers may be required for entry, such as ESTA for USA travel and/or ETIAS for EU travel. Please also be sure to check the validity of your passport and allow up to 10 weeks for passport renewals.