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BBC News
16-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Author Henry James' desk in Rye to feature in BBC documentary
Work by the National Trust to restore the writing desk of author Henry James will feature in a new series of the BBC's Hidden Treasures television lived at Lamb House in Rye, East Sussex, between 1897 and 1914, and wrote many of his most famous books, including The Wings of the Dove and The Golden Bowl, at the National Trust said it had meticulously restored the desk and viewers can see the intricate process it Mitchell, collections and house manager at the trust, said: "It is a pleasure to introduce Lamb House and its own unique charm to a wider audience." The programme will demonstrate how the trust brought the desk back to life, including structural repairs to splits in the wood, veneer restoration and stabilising the trust also made repairs to the writing room in Lamb House – known as the Green Parlour."Henry James remains an incredibly important literary figure, and being part of the restoration of his writing room was a very special moment for me and the team," Ms Mitchell added."I hope that Hidden Treasures brings a lot more visitors to this beautiful property."Other famous residents at Lamb House went on to use James's desk, including E.F Benson and Harford Montgomery Treasures is to be aired on BBC2 at 21:00 BST on Friday.
The Sun
06-05-2025
- The Sun
One of the UK's most unique hotels has half price stays on Wowcher – it's in the perfect seaside town
A HISTORIC seaside hotel is offering half price stays on Wowcher and it is in a pretty beach town. Rye in East Sussex, is known for cobbled streets, historic buildings and beautiful views. 4 4 And nestled in the town on Mermaid Street is one of the best hotels in the UK - The Mermaid Inn. An overnight stay for two people with breakfast costs from £119 or two-nights from £119 - which saves up to 43 per cent compared to normal booking prices. Guests would be staying in one of Rye's most iconic buildings, which is award-winning and dates back to the 12th century. The inn features period details including timber beams and old floorboards. In the morning guests can enjoy a full English breakfast too. Rye is also known for its charming architecture and smuggling history and has many places to explore including scenic walks and quaint shops and cafes. One spot is Rye Windmill, which boasts panoramic views of the town and countryside. There are also multiple independent tea rooms, pubs, restaurants and shops in the town. For more history, travellers can head to Rye Castle or the National Trust 's Lamb House, which was once home to E.F Benson, the author of Mapp & Lucia series. Alternatively, for beach lovers there is Camber Sands which features two miles of shoreline with dunes, parking and water sports activities. The perfect Haven holiday park for a kid-friendly break - with direct beach access, indoor waterpark and neighbouring seaside theme park The beach was voted second on Time Out Europe's least crowded beaches list for summer 2025. One recent visitor commented in a review: "Camber Sands is the most amazing place, with lots of activities for kids." Another added: "Great for children to build sand castles and great for walking and, at this time of the year (October), letting your dog run free." The Mermaid Inn offer is valid for stays on selected dates until October 31, 2025 for Sunday to Thursday stays only. The Sun's Head of Travel Caroline McGuire weighs in... "I grew up near Rye and since my teen years, it has been the destination for many day trips and weekend breaks. "Thanks to its untouched charm, location, pubs and shops, the historic town has something to please almost anyone. "Kids (and adult-sized kids) will love the Knoops hot chocolate shop, with its endless variations on the cocoa drink, and if that's not enough of a sugar hit, there's the delightfully old fashioned Britcher and Rivers sweet shop, where they still measure out orders from huge plastic tubs. "For some quintessential seaside fish and chips - ok it's not quite on the sea but it's not far off - there's Marino's Fish Bar, which plenty of people have argued is the best chippy in the UK. "Then there's always the option of a walk to Camber Sands or the beautiful village of Winchelsea is a short drive. "If that still isn't enough, Tillingham winery, with its great wood-fired pizzas and wine tastings is also 10 minutes in the car. " Tripadvisor also recently announced its top hotels - including a train station and a prison. Plus, The Sun travel team's favourite hotels for 2025. 4 4
