'Ridiculously charming' seaside town an hour from London makes 'wonderful' winter trip

The clocks have gone back, and the days seem shorter than ever. For those living in towns and cities, this can mean dreaming of a winter escape, some peace and quiet and being able to see the stars. But that escape doesn't have to be a long journey or even a flight away, with one Sussex town potentially being exactly what you're looking for.

The historic coastal gem of Rye has been named as one of Britain's best places for a winter getaway, scooping praise for being "ridiculously charming" and it's less than 90 minutes from London by train. Perched near the East Sussex coast, Rye looks like something straight out of a period drama. Cobbled lanes, Tudor-looking timbered houses and centuries-old pubs with roaring fires inviting everyone in to warm up over a pint.

It's easy to see why visitors fall for its old-world appeal, especially when the crowds of summer have gone and the peaceful winter begins.

Just a short stroll through the narrow streets takes you back in time. The famous Mermaid Street is one of the nation's most photographed, lined with crooked medieval buildings and topped off with The Mermaid Inn, which dates back to the 12th century and has hosted everyone from smugglers to celebrities.

Much of Rye's history comes from its use as a pirate port in the 13th century, long holding a reputation for smuggling.

By the 18th century, Rye was notorious for being the smuggling capital of England, with a rumoured past that included locals being warned to shut their eyes, ears and doors as the sounds of pistols firing filled the streets.

Winter in Rye offers a different kind of magic. Without the bustle of beachgoers, the town becomes a peaceful haven.

There's no need to cram into shops or get shoved around the narrow streets; in winter, you can explore at your own pace, however fast or slow that may be.

All that praise has caught the attention of the global audience, with international travel magazine Condé Nast Traveller, which suggests Rye as a top day trip outside of London.

The magazine added: "This pretty town is ridiculously charming, all cobbled streets and wonky timbered medieval houses.

"And there's nothing more satisfying than a few hours spent rootling through the quirky bric-a-brac shops and interior stores (McCully and Crane, The Confit Pot) for one-off finds before settling down for an afternoon film in the timber-clad former Victorian school turned two-screen Kino Cinema."

For those looking to blow the cobwebs away, Camber Sands is just a short bus ride away and is one of the UK's most beautiful beaches. In winter, its vast dunes and wide, windswept shore are ideal for a windy walk.