Make a holiday cottage or holiday rental home in Rother your home away from home

The District of Rother surrounds Hastings in East Sussex. It is not a borough, but the result of a local government merger of Bexhill, Battle and Rye. It is named after the River Rother running through the area and shares a border with Kent. Most of Rother is in the High Weald, which is an area of outstanding natural beauty. Inland it is essentially rural, with many interesting small villages and beautiful scenes at almost every turn. Then there are the historic connections with 1066 and the spectacular Rother coastline. A holiday cottage or holiday rental home in Rother merges seaside, countryside and old battlegrounds perfectly.

Places to holiday in Rother

Every part of Rother has a different story to tell, which is why renting a self catering cottage is such a good idea, as it gives you the freedom to explore the whole area. Cottages in coastal Camber Sands are ideal for beach lovers, as it is only a short walk to the dunes and golden sands.

Self-catering cottages in the historic Cinque Port of Rye range from boathouse riverside apartments to farm cottages and they are surrounded by cobbled streets, Georgian houses and a citadel. Bexhill is a seaside resort with a good shopping centre and has a terrific range of premium holiday cottages. Its De La Warr Pavilion is a major cultural centre and houses an art gallery and theatre.

Battle allows you to choose from charming 17th century cottages with views of Battle Abbey, renovated farm cottages and self-catering apartments. The abbey was built by William the Conqueror to commemorate his victory and the high alter is the spot where Harold met his death. 14th century Bodiam Castle is also located in Battle and there is also a fifty-acre vineyard. Other rural parishes of Rother include Northiam, Burwash, Sedlescombe and the small Bastille town of Winchelsea.

Things to do in Rother

Self-catering holiday cottages are handy for acess to all five award-winning beaches in the Rother area. Camber is a large flat sandy beach suitable for families. It has zoned areas for kite surfing, horse riding and other activities. Winchelsea is a quiet shingle beach with a sea wall. Being close to an area famous for its birdlife makes it an ideal location for walking. Bexhill, Cooden and Normans Bay are also shingle beaches.

Rother district has a diverse range of events, performing art activities and museums to see. Rye has an art gallery and the Castle Museum. Battle's museum displays local artefacts including a facsimile Doomsday Book, 1066 model battle scene and a print of the Bayeux Tapestry, whilst Bexhill has two museums. Bodiam Castle is an entirely preserved castle with a moat and a refurbished museum.

Rother's long history is apparent wherever you look with castle ruins at Penvensy and Hasting and the battlefield where history was made. However, there is so much more to this area whether you are looking for fun and leisure, maritime, culture, golf, and nightlife or eating out.

Rural Rother is vast and unspoilt and ideal for ramblers. If you are interested in parks, gardens and the countryside, then places to visit include Egerton Park, Manor Gardens, Herstmonceux Castle, Rye Harbour nature reserve, Kent and East Sussex Steam Railway, King John's Lodge and gardens, Bedgebury and Pashley Manor.

Weather in Rother

Rother has the highest temperatures and sunshine averages in the British Isles, but town and villages nearer the coast are largely influenced by the sea and therefore slightly cooler than inland.

Transport to Rother

Lydd, Shoreham and Gatwick airports in West Sussex are convenient when travelling to Rother and many train routes serve the area with regular services to and from Gatwick, Brighton and London. There is a ferry link form Dieppe to Newhaven and an excellent local bus network.