Rye has a high street, with lots of little streets running off it, that is full of independent shops selling a combination of vintage, junk, antiques, clothes, jewellery, art, books, cosmetics, etc.  With the exception of Boots the chemist, you won’t find any other chains in Rye, only individuals having a go basically!  For that reason it’s eclectic, excentrique, amusing, entertaining…and well worth strolling around if you enjoy taking your time and being surprised by what you might find…

We’ve highlighted a few worthy of special mention below:

MCCULLY & CRANE (27 Cinque Ports St).An eccentric mix of objet trouve, vintage pieces, retro furniture and art work as well as heaps of bits and pieces that will please the fussiest cool-hunter

CAFE DES FLEURS (Corn Exchange, The Strand – and next door to The Ship…). Florists serving beautiful fresh flowers, coffee, cake & gifts
http://www.cafedesfleurs.co.uk/
VIOLETTA (110 High Street). To quote Red magazine, Violetta offers: ”the perfect mix of magazine-glossiness and spa-like tranquillity.”
http://violetta-boutique.co.uk/site/
LAURA OAKES (24 Wish Street). British-born artist, photographer and pattern designer, Laura Oakes, is widely recognised for her unique style of “digital decoupage” which features layers of vintage and hand-drawn imagery, with her own photography.
http://www.lauraoakes.co.uk/

GRAMMAR SCHOOL RECORDS (High Street): for anyone who is passionate about vinyl.

http://grammarschool.backtrackrye.com/

BIRD (113 High Street): clothing, homeware, jewellery & accessories boutique.

http://www.boutiquebird.co.uk/

LION STREET STORE (No. 6 Lion Street): homewares, toys, textiles, jewellery and stationery alongside original artwork and vintage pieces.

http://lionstreetstore.com/

IRONMONGERS (High Street): well equipped kitchen shop.

http://www.ironmongers-extraordinary.co.uk/

WISHBARN ANTIQUES (Wish Street): very good and reasonably priced antiques shop with proper pieces of furniture, as well as the smaller easier to take home with you type things

http://www.antiques-atlas.com/wishbarnantiques/

HUNTER JONES VINTAGE (Cinque Ports Street)

http://hunterjonesvintage.tumblr.com/

PALE & INTERESTING (The High Street)

http://www.paleandinteresting.com/

SUPERNICE (The High Street). And supercool.  Toys, graphics, rare imports….

http://www.supernice.co.uk/