The Hope Anchor In Rye
Built around 1750 for local sailors and ship builders, The Hope Anchor enjoys an enviably elevated position right in the heart of Rye’s old town. With almost 360o panoramic views, this family-friendly hotel is the ideal base from which to explore and enjoy the sights and delights of Rye.
The Hotel’s name apparently derives from the fact that an anchor was once seen as a sign of hope and was used as an alternative to a crucifix as a guide for early Christians to find their secret meeting places.
It is also thought to have once been the hide-out of the notorious Tenterden gang, who used its old secret passages for smuggling.
More recently, The Hope Anchor is a key location in Malcolm Saville’s mystery novel, The Gay Dolphin Adventure, a 1945 ripping yarn, which also features secret rooms and hidden treasure, in keeping with Rye’s famous history.
Happily, these days you do not need to be an Owler, as the smugglers were known locally, or solve a local mystery, to enjoy a stay and a warm welcome at Hope Anchor.
Explore our cosy rooms at The Hope Anchor to find the perfect fit for your budget – book direct to guarantee the best prices.